Equality New Mexico Seeks Administrative Assistant

WE ARE HIRING: EQNM SEEKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

POSITION: Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director

RESPONSIBLE TO: Executive Director 

To Apply: Email Resume to Marshall@eqnm.org *and* Info@eqnm.org 

SUMMARY: Assists the Executive Director and Board of Directors in managing the business of the agency. This position is responsible for all support functions, specifically assisting the Executive Director with travel arrangements, administrative work, and special projects. This is a remote position and will require a stable reliable internet connection, regular access to a phone, and a functioning computer(laptop or desktop) If you don’t have these things but are interested please apply anyway! The position is Hourly, Part-Time.  (roughly 20 hours per week, $17/HR)

QUALIFICATIONS: You are a tech-savvy, discrete, trustworthy, and highly organized person with a proven track record of tracking and staying on top of tasks. You have 1 year of experience managing logistical and administrative projects through completion. Multitasking is second nature to you, and you can work under pressure, juggle competing priorities, and meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. You have a demonstrated ability to adapt to change, learn new things, and are open to feedback. You are detail-oriented with the ability to notice and fix errors that others might overlook. You are comfortable interacting with people in high-level positions daily and can attend meetings outside business hours. You have excellent verbal and written communication skills and abilities. You are someone who can see 5 steps ahead of what might be needed and plans ahead. You are a person who is comfortable using social media platforms, google drive/documents/sheets, managing and staying in control of multiple email accounts, and the ability to learn new software systems with training.

The ideal candidate will meet most of these requirements. However, if you are committed to LGBTQ Liberation and care about details, systems, and being the support person who gets the work done, please apply! 

We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All interested individuals, especially people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary or intersex are encouraged to apply.

Key Approaches to the Work: 

Organized and detail-oriented: Your default mode is exceptionally organized. You create and maintain strong systems that create clarity and efficiency. You can find information quickly and meet needs proactively and intuitively. You have an eye for detail and a high bar for accuracy. Despite sometimes frequent interruptions in your day, you can regain focus and maintain accuracy, reprioritize when necessary, and deliver exceptional service.

Effective Communicator: A key part of your job is to make things that oftentimes feel complicated for others seem clear and manageable. You are an excellent communicator, who can explain complex information in clear and understandable terms. You have the skills to communicate via writing or verbally (through various modes), including giving presentations to large groups. You maintain high standards of confidentiality and practice ethical communication. You feel comfortable asking for clear direction on what is confidential and what is “need-to-know” information that's been given to you.  

Proactive problem-solver: You are a self-starter who doesn’t need to be told to take action on responsibilities that you hold. You see ways that systems can be improved, and you suggest them without being asked. You can be given a project and run with it. When opportunities exist, you identify them and propose solutions. You’re known for being action-oriented and making everything they touch better.

Inclusion and Equity Champion: You deeply value inclusion and actively contribute to a more equitable and inclusive organization. You are reflective and understand how your perspective is shaped and influenced by your identity. You accept responsibility for your own behavior and action in upholding an equitable and inclusive workplace.

Event Recap!

We wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who showed out for our CHER the Movement event! Thanks to you, our event was totally sold out—so not only did we have a full house of fun and community, but we also more than doubled our fundraising goal! The drag performances were amazing, the auction items were hot, and the sense of love and community was absolutely palpable.

Elected officials who attended included Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Probate Judge Cristy Carbόn-Gaul, Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, Congresswoman Stansbury, and a whole host of state representatives, including Representatives Egolf, Herndon, Dixon, and Thomson, and Senators Hamblen, Jaramillo, Pope, and Stefanics. What a list! We are so grateful that so many New Mexico officials came to support and interact with the state’s LGBTQ community.

Thank you once again to those of you who came out to have fun with us while also serving your community. It was a fantastic time, and the funds we raised make us better equipped for the fight for queer and trans liberation. This is our movement!

Our values are important.

Democratic state Representative Roger Montoya was recently denied endorsement from Planned Parenthood because he now supports forced parental notification of abortion. In the year that the Supreme Court is planning to overturn Roe v. Wade, attacking Planned Parenthood—an organization that has been dedicated to providing safe, accessible, life-saving abortion care to our state—undermines the values that we, as New Mexicans, hold true. When Rep. Montoya refused to even apply for an endorsement from Equality New Mexico, he made clear that this is also an attack on organizations like ours, which work to uplift and fight for these truly New Mexican values. A Majority of New Mexicans agree each of us can hold our own moral views on abortion and still trust pregnant people to make this decision for themselves. 

There is no denying the direct connection between this policy, undermining bodily autonomy,  and the work that EQNM is doing to protect trans youth from the increasing attacks that we have seen across the country.  Everyone deserves to be in control of their own bodies, and this right extends to young pregnant people, too.  If an elected policymaker doesn’t support bodily autonomy for young pregnant people, we can assume they also don’t support it for young LGBTQ people. 

Rep. Montoya is an openly gay man who was endorsed by Equality New Mexico in 2020, and we cannot deny the historic moment his first election created for our communities. But now, he’s endangering the movement for LGBTQ liberation. At EQNM, we know that representation matters—but it is not enough. We need leaders who align with our values and will fight for us, not against us. No matter their identity or political alignment, we need leaders who won’t work against the hardworking advocacy organizations who are fighting to uphold our core beliefs as New Mexicans. And we certainly don’t need representatives who attack us for fighting for our communities.

As the fights for body autonomy play out in the future, we hope that people like Representative Montoya understand the necessity for coalition work. None of us can fight for liberation alone, because liberation does not belong to just one community. It’s times like these that it is crucial to remember, it’s all of us or none of us.

Mixed News - but we have to say it all

This blog post was supposed to announce the launching of our individual tickets for the big event on June 4. (We're still doing that below, don't skip it.) But with the news that broke last night, I had to make some adjustments.

Last night, Politico broke the story that a Supreme Court decision had been leaked before it was finalized. The headline says it all: The Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. It is important to note this is NOT a final decision, and for now, abortion is still legal in all 50 states (to some extent, anyway.)

Many of us were preparing for this for months, years even.  But If I'm being honest, even though I've worked in the abortion rights movement for years, I hadn't fully processed this could be real.  Now here I sit, trying to understand it.  

If this decision to fully overturn Roe is adopted, 26 states are likely to make abortion illegal.  This is not hyperbole, and it is not a drill. And as with the realities of Pre-Roe, the burden will fall hardest on Black and Brown people who are able to get pregnant. We have evidence to prove this: after the Hyde Amendment (prohibiting Medicaid funding for abortion) went into effect, a Latina woman in Texas was the first documented case of "underground" abortions causing death. Because Black and Brown people are already facing the most impact from multiple systems, they will undoubtedly be the first to be prosecuted in these states for even having a miscarriage. That is just one of the many realities we are about to enter, and we have to be clear about the stakes.  

And let's be clear, the opponents of abortion access will not stop with Roe. They don't like us as queer and trans people existing with pride. At risk next are the anti-sodomy laws that SCOTUS overturned, and then dismantling marriage equality—all decisions the Court made under the precedent set by Roe. We have a lot to lose.

I am an organizer by training and trade, and so normally this is where I would present a plan of action. A list of steps we must take, the things we have to do to fight back—and we will. But for today, I am asking our supporters, our members, and our friends to just allow space for processing. Let us feel the heaviness of this moment, and let us take care of ourselves. This election will be critical for bodily autonomy. And we will write soon to talk about what we have to do. But for now, we are allowed to yell and scream, cry and sleep, and care for ourselves through the immense weight of this decision. Tomorrow there will be work to do. Today, the work is caring for ourselves so we can fight tomorrow.

CHER the Movement

Tickets are on sale now!

While the news is heavy, we MUST find time for joy, and let's be real—we still have to keep funding our movement work!

Today you can buy your individual tickets for our big event!  The main event is June 4, 12-3pm.

Tickets get you into the event to catch the show, bid on silent auction items, and have great cocktails of course!

The Ticket+ gets you into the main event, plus some EQNM CHER the Movement SWAG.

VIP Tickets get you into the VIP Brunch at 11am, plus all the rest (and you get your own line at the bar to ensure speedier service during the show!).

We have limited tickets, so get yours today! 

Intersectionality Series Part Two: New Mexico Working Families Party

May 1st is International Workers’ Day! To celebrate, we wanted to highlight Michaela Gallegos from the New Mexico Working Families Party (NMWFP). This is the second installment of EQNM’s Intersectionality Series; you can read more about why we’re doing this series and see our first installment with ProgressNow New Mexico here.

NMWFP is building a multiracial, feminist, multigenerational political home for the working class that fights for the world we deserve to live in. They work to create collective power for our communities and those who have historically been left out of the political process—and LGBTQ New Mexicans are no stranger to that.

NMWFP values people over corporations and works to elect progressive champions that change people’s lives and make government work for everyday people. Like EQNM, NMWFP is working to break down the structural barriers that limit New Mexicans’ self-determination and ability to thrive—our government should work for the people, not against us.

When asked what changes NMWFP would like to see, Michaela said, “We want a nation where everyone thrives and a better future for all. This includes quality jobs; access to healthcare, reproductive healthcare, and mental healthcare; immigration reform; criminal justice reform; healthy food; clean water and air; living wages; housing; paid sick leave; quality and affordable education from birth onwards; and a say in how our government works. We want to protect and expand voting rights. We want equity and equality.” These goals would improve live for all New Mexicans, including those of us who are queer and trans.

NMWFP’s current top policy priorities include democracy reform, electing working families champions from the communities they seek to represent, implementing the statewide paid sick leave law, climate justice legislation and advocacy, and passing the early childhood education ballot initiative.

When asked about her and NMWFP’s activism, Michaela said, “Our work is intersectional. We believe that no matter where we come from, who we love, or what our color, most of us want the same things. Everyone deserves to thrive, and we work on core issues that impact our daily lives, like living wages, access to healthcare, and safe communities through criminal justice reform.”

Here at EQNM, we’re firm believers that every LGBTQ person deserves a living wage and equal opportunity for advancement in the Land of Enchantment. Michaela agrees: “As a parent of a queer child, I am deeply invested in protecting and expanding my child’s rights and opportunities.” She also mentions how NMWFP works in coalition with LGBTQ organizations like us, and that “members of WFP’s national committee, senior leadership team, and staff are queer and/or nonbinary, and their lived experiences inform WFP’s policy work at the local, state, and national levels.”

When asked her favorite thing about New Mexico, Michaela said, “I love the sense of community in New Mexico and how everyone can be ‘family’. I missed that sense of belonging when I lived in another state.” And it’s clear that NMWFP is working to improve life for those communities. To learn more about Michaela, watch our interview with her here!

Want to get involved with NMWFP? Text NMWFP to 30403, or sign the WFP People’s Charter here!

EQNM’s Primary Election Endorsements!

Primaries are coming up soon, so it’s time for EQNM to release our endorsements! To learn more about how we endorse our candidates, you can read this blog post. The bottom line is that we work to elect candidates who will stand up daily for queer and trans New Mexicans, without fail. We know that LGBTQ representation matters, but it isn’t enough—that's why we chose these candidates who have proven track records of being in the fight for LGBTQ liberation.

Our Equality Champions:

• State Auditor: Zack Quintero

• Attorney General: Brian Colón

• State Representative District 19: Janelle Anyanonu

• State Representative District 42: Kristina Ortez

• State Representative District 46: Andrea Romero

Our Endorsed Candidates:

• Bernalillo County Sheriff: John Allen

• State Representative District 17: Darrell Deaguerro

• State Representative District 26: Eleanor Chavez

• State Representative District 38: Tara Jaramillo

• State Representative District 39: Karen Whitlock

• State Representative District 70: Anita Gonzales

• State Treasurer: Heather Benavidez

• State Representative District 41: Susan Hererra

With the Supreme Court set to undermine bodily autonomy this summer over the upcoming Roe v. Wade decision, it is more critical than ever that we elect these state and local leaders who will stand up for New Mexicans. We deserve to be in control of our own bodies, and we must protect our ability to make decisions about our bodies, our lives, and our destinies.

Additionally, with increasing attacks on trans young people across the nation, our state needs reliable champions and allies who will work to ensure trans New Mexicans are safe. Trans people deserve to live without fear of discrimination, and we believe these endorsements will join us in breaking down the barriers that limit trans folks’ ability to thrive.

In New Mexico, our values are those of affirmation, acceptance, justice, and liberation. We will be counting on these leaders to help us live those values in policy, every day.

Do you want to help us elect these candidates and champions who will join us in the fight for LGBTQ liberation? Click here to sign up for volunteering updates, or donate to our cause here. 

And don’t forget that New Mexico now has same-day voter registration—here’s more info about how to register AND vote at the same time!

Let’s work together for a better future for queer and trans New Mexicans!

Monet Silva, Chair

EQNM Endorsement Committee

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Identifying and Reporting LGBTQ Discrimination in the Workplace

At EQNM, we believe that every LGBTQ person deserves to live without fear of discrimination, including in the workplace. Queer and trans people deserve equal opportunity for advancement in the Land of Enchantment.

A helpful partner has given us a resource to share with you detailing how to identify discrimination at work and how to file a workplace discrimination claim. Read this resource below!

Steps LGBTQ+ Workers Can Take If They Are Experiencing Discrimination in the Workplace

Even though LGBTQ+ workers are protected by the Federal Civil Rights Act, nearly 1 in 10 workers who are LGBTQ+ say that they have experienced discrimination and harassment at work. And that number is likely higher because so many people don’t report the discrimination they experience and instead just move on to other jobs. But you don’t have to put up with that discrimination and harassment. You can fight back and hold your employer accountable for violating your civil rights. 

Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights act made it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees because of their race, color, sex, religion, or place of birth. The Supreme Court extended those protections to include gender, identity, and orientation as well. If you have experienced discrimination at work you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that investigates Civil Rights Act violations. 

The EEOC also works with 44 states to make sure that employers who discriminate get investigated. When a complaint is filed against any employer in those states the EEOC will send all the complaint information to the state labor board so that the state can investigate the company too. 

Examples Of Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination can be hidden or it can be very obvious. Some common kinds of discrimination that LGBTQ+ people face include:

Not Getting a Raise Or Promotion — If you were scheduled for a raise or a promotion and your work performance has been good but suddenly you are receiving warnings and writeups for mistakes so that you don’t get your raise or promotion that’s discrimination. 

Slurs, Epithets, or Discriminatory “Jokes” — When your bosses or coworkers make derogatory comments about LGBTQ+ people, use slurs, or make offensive statements that promote harmful stereotypes it’s always discrimination. 

Asking you what your orientation is — Your orientation and gender are not your coworkers’ or bosses’ business and they cannot ask you about or ask you to confirm either one. 

Misgendering you on purpose — If your coworkers or bosses consistently use the wrong pronouns or gender markers when talking to you and about you that’s discrimination. So is using your dead name if you’re transgender and have chosen a name. 

Dress Code Restrictions — If your employer tries to institute a dress code that requires clothing based on sex or gender like requiring women to wear makeup or skirts that’s discrimination. 

Filing A Workplace Discrimination Claim

The first step in stopping the discrimination is going to your boss and HR with a list of all the discrimination that you’ve experienced. Write down the dates, who did what, and what happened. If your boss and the HR department head refuse to help you or take action or if they dismiss your concerns then go to the EEOC’s website to start a complaint. You can also apply on the state level as well. In New Mexico, you can file a discrimination complaint with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. When you file a claim on the state level, it will be dual-filed to the EEOC and two agencies will work together to try to help resolve your claim.

Penalties For Discrimination

Civil Right Act violations are a big deal and companies can have to pay huge amounts in fines if they violate workers’ rights. Your employer could have to pay up to $10,000 per violation or face criminal charges. You could receive lump sums of money for any wages owed you for a raise or promotion that you didn’t get and for anguish or pain and suffering. 

Resources Found Via:

• https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/half-lgbtq-workers-faced-job-discrimination-report-finds-rcna1935 

• https://www.eeoc.gov/ 

• https://employmentlawhelp.org/wrongful-termination/turned-down-sexual-orientation 

• https://employmentlawhelp.org/sexual-harassment/sexual-orientation-harassment 

• https://www.eeoc.gov/youth/how-file-complaint 

• https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Human-Rights-Information 

Intersectionality Series Part One: ProgressNow New Mexico

At EQNM, we attempt to work from an intersectional framework and believe in centering the needs of those most directly impacted by any policy decision. But what does intersectionality look like in the context of LGBTQ liberation?

LGBTQ people are Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and Asian. We are rural and urban. We are disabled, and we need to access all types of healthcare. We are parents, workers, and students. We experience poverty, incarceration, and homelessness.

The bottom line is that LGBTQ people live in all identities and experiences, and that we are more than just our LGBTQ identities. Our identities are overlapping, or intersecting. That’s why EQNM partners with organizations that aren’t necessarily LGBTQ-focused, and why we care about racial justice, healthcare access, workers’ rights, criminal justice reform, and more. These issues are all LGBTQ issues, too.

We’re rolling out this new Intersectionality Series to uplift some of our partner organizations and highlight how their work intersects with our mission of LGBTQ liberation. The first people we spoke with were Jackie Aguirre and Edgar Cruz of ProgressNow New Mexico (PNNM), an multi-issue organization that centers systemically excluded communities and uplifts their voices. PNNM works to ensure that families and individuals have equitable access to the tools and resources they need to grow, create, and thrive.

One of PNNM’s priorities is reproductive justice. Jackie in particular has experience in reproductive justice spaces. “My goals are to get New Mexicans loud and proud on access to all inclusive reproductive care—everything from education and contraception to abortion care and family planning. I would like to see more New Mexicans unabashedly proud of how much we celebrate bodily autonomy,” she says.

Every LGBTQ person deserves to be in control of their own body, and reproductive justice is a crucial part of that. Queer women, transgender, and nonbinary people can all get pregnant, and therefore are affected by accessibility of contraception, abortion care, and pregnancy care. LGBTQ families need parenting resources, family planning, assisted reproductive services, and more. And all queer and trans folks deserve access to comprehensive sex education and sexual health resources.

After such amazing progress, all of those needs are now more in danger than they’ve been in the last fifty years. This is because of the pending SCOTUS decision over Roe v. Wade, which is one of the current priorities of PNNM. This decision will create a critical shift not just for those seeking abortion care across the country, but also for all of us who want to decide what healthcare we seek—from gender confirmation procedures to PrEP and PEP access, queer and trans lives are also on the line with this decision. 

PNNM points out that when people think about reproductive rights, health, and justice, they often think only about women and in turn may erase queer and trans stories, “and that is not okay. So as people in the movement, it is our responsibility to be intentional in our inclusivity, and to keep each other accountable in being inclusive.”

When asked what her favorite thing was about New Mexico, Jackie said, “I love that New Mexico embraces and celebrates their Indigenous cultures. New Mexican communities make it a point to intentionally include the many Pueblos and Indigenous folx whose land we live on today.” To learn more about Jackie and Edgar, check out this video!

How We Endorse Our Candidates

2022 is an election year for New Mexico, which means we’ll be rolling out our endorsements for the Primary soon! First, though, we wanted to tell you about our values-based endorsement process—that way, you get a better understanding of why we choose certain candidates over others.

Our first step involves sending candidates a questionnaire of basic, mostly yes/no questions. Here are a few examples:

• Will you oppose policies that prohibit or weaken history lessons by way of banning race-related or LGBTQ inclusive history/social studies lessons?

• Will you vote for and champion the NM Voting Rights Act package in its entirety? 

The purpose of this questionnaire is to quickly identify candidates who are fully aligned with our non-negotiable values. Candidates must get a 100% in order to move forward to the next step.

If, based on the questionnaire, a candidate is fully aligned with EQNM’s values, they are then interviewed by our Endorsement Committee. We believe that the Committee is truly representative of New Mexico—we have members from all four corners of the state, rural and urban. The Committee is multi-racial, multi-generational, and multi-issue. In fact, many members are advocates and organizers for other organizations that fight for important causes like economic and reproductive justice; we know that members are committed to improving the lives of LGBTQ New Mexicans and other marginalized groups in the state.

After candidate interviews, which serve to dig deeper into each candidate’s beliefs and their dedication to those beliefs, the Endorsement Committee takes time to deliberate. They can pick as many people as they want to endorse—there is no maximum or minimum limit, meaning their choices are truly based on values, not quotas.

The Endorsement Committee’s recommendations then go to our Board of Directors. The Board considers both the questionnaires and the Committee’s recommendations when making the final decision on endorsements.

With our new tiered endorsement system, the Board of Directors is also responsible for distinguishing between Endorsed Candidates and Equality Champions (though the Committee makes recommendations about this as well). Endorsed Candidates are candidates who we believe are aligned with our values and who we plan to count on to be a solid vote for our priorities, but who have not necessarily demonstrated a desire to go above and beyond for LGBTQ liberation.

Equality Champions, on the other hand, are candidates who have already been in a position of power and demonstrated a willingness to go to the mat for EQNM and the LGBTQ community. These are folks who have lobbied behind the scenes, sponsored our bills, worked to include EQNM in key policy discussions, or otherwise prioritized our values and our community with more than just a yes/no vote on a specific bill or policy.

Think of it like tug-of-war. If EQNM is at the rope, fighting for progressive policies to get pulled over the line, our Endorsed Candidates are going to show up at the game and cheer us on. Our Equality Champions are the ones who are going to dig their heels into the mud, grab the rope, and pull with us.

Be on the lookout for our endorsements for the Primary Election, and especially for our Equality Champions! Do you want to help us at the rope, too? Consider donating and/or volunteering with us. We’re so excited to elect dedicated candidates who will join us in the fight for LGBTQ liberation.

Happy LGBTQ Health Awareness Week!

We believe that the wellbeing of LGBTQ New Mexicans is crucial to the wellbeing of our state. That’s why we wanted to use this week to remind you that taking care of your body and mind is important, and it’s something you deserve!

While we often emphasize sexual health as an important part of LGBTQ health, that’s not all there is to it. Like for all people, general preventative healthcare is important for LGBTQ folks too! So, take some time to ask yourself: 

• Have I had my annual checkup/physical this year?

• Do I have regular mental health check-ins set up with a counselor or therapist?

• Have I been getting enough water and sleep?

• Have I been regularly moving my body in a way that feels good to me?

We realize that obtaining healthcare can be difficult for some folks. If you’re looking for a primary care provider (often referred to as a PCP) and you already have insurance, you can ask your insurance provider to give you a list of doctors that your plan covers. And if you don’t have insurance, community health clinics are a great place to start! They often offer a sliding scale pay option based on your income. Here is a website where you can input your zip code to find community health clinics near you.

If you’re looking for a mental health provider, here is a website where you can find LGBTQ-affirming mental health agencies in New Mexico. Keep in mind that mental health check-ins are a good idea for everybody—not just queer and trans folks. While you certainly can seek a therapist’s help for LGBTQ-related traumas, it’s also totally fine if you’re seeking counseling for unrelated struggles in your life, like work or family stress. We are more than just our LGBTQ identities, and we face obstacles just like everybody else.

Finally, make sure you’re practicing self care, this week and all weeks. Try your best to drink enough water, get enough sleep, move your body lovingly, and take time to do the things that make you happy. These are all good ways to nurture both your physical and mental health. Remember, self-love is an act of queer resistance.