Civil Rights Activists Win Major Victories in New Mexico
Feature Story by civilrights.org staff - 4/4/2003
After years of lobbying, New Mexico's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) advocates are celebrating the passage of two momentous anti-discrimination bills.The first piece of legislation, referred to as the Human Rights Amendment, prohibits discrimination in employment, union membership and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Amendment reflects the tireless efforts of GLBT advocacy organizations to secure transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination protections through legislation.
"This is a great victory for all New Mexicans and people across the country," announced Jo Kenny, executive director of the Coalition for Equality in New Mexico (CENM). "Credit needs to be given to the thousands of people who have worked in this broad-based coalition over the last 12 years, and we are proud to have bills that include everyone - lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Mexicans."
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian and gay political organization, applauds New Mexico's legislature for passing another significant piece of legislation, the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act, which establishes penalties for bias-related crimes.
"Great work is being done at the state level to advance equality for GLBT Americans," said Seth Kilbourn, the Human Rights Campaign national field director. "New Mexico's Coalition for Equality" has worked tirelessly to ensure that not only are anti-gay bills defeated, but that proactive steps are taken to advance equality."
New Mexico, the first state in the nation to pass two stand-alone legislative pieces covering gender identity, has achieved a double victory that symbolizes a turning point for the entire GLBT movement.
The bills will now go to Governor Bill Richardson, who has promised to sign both pieces of legislation.
GLBT citizens in Hawaii also have cause to rejoice: on April 2, 2003, the Hawaiian legislature passed a bill which adds "gender identity or expression" to the state's existing hate crimes law.
"Today, from the mainland we celebrate another victory for transgender people this legislative session," said Lisa Mottet, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Transgender Civil Rights Project legislative lawyer. "This year may be the best year yet for passing transgender-specific and transgender-inclusive laws at the state level."
