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Non-discrimination Bill passes New Mexico State Legislature.
3/20/03
New Mexico Gender Advocacy Information Network (NMGAIN) announces that the New Mexico
State Legislature has passed SB28, an amendment to the NM State Human Rights Act which
adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected groups of the Act. SB28
(non-discrimination) will become law with Gov. Bill Richardson's signature, who promised
to sign the Bill in a meeting with Virginia Stephenson, executive director of NMGAIN,
early last week.
Representatives of NMGAIN have lobbied the legislature for over four years to see the
protections passed. Virginia Stephenson said upon the Bill's passage, "this victory
is a triumph for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in our state, and will
contribute greatly toward fairness and equality for us all. This passage is also a
testament to allies working together to see legislation pass. We earnestly thank the
Coalition for Equality in New Mexico for working to see this inclusive Bill become
law."
The team which appeared at every committee hearing, and lobbied every state legislator,
included lobbyists from the Coalition for Equality and other ally organizations, including
NMGAIN, PFLAG, religious organizations, labor unions, children advocacy groups and human
rights organizations. For the first time the Coalition had three paid lobbyists during the
session: Linda Siegle, Gloria Nieto and Virginia Stephenson. The sponsoring legislators
were Rep. Gail Beam (D. Bern) and Sen. Cisco McSorley (D. Bern).
The Hate Crimes Bill, which also includes sexual orientation and gender identity, passed
the legislature on 3-20-03. With the Governor's signature , New Mexico will become the
first state in the U.S. to have protections for both non-discrimination and hate crimes,
on the books for both gender identity and sexual orientation.
For further information, please contact:
Virginia Stephenson, NMGAIN
505-255-1401
