Enchantment State News

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in commemoration of Pride Month:

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Statement on Pride Month

“New Mexico has led the way in providing legal protections and affirming care and support to our LGBTQ community. I am proud of what we have done in New Mexico, and I am committed to seeing these same protections and support stretch nationwide.

“Our nation has achieved many milestones over the last decade—from the Supreme Court’s recognition of marriage equality to the repeal of the military’s 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Last year, I was proud to support the historic passage of the Respect for Marriage Act in Congress, which enshrined legal protections for same-sex marriages.

“At the same time, I am truly sickened by the hateful and discriminatory laws that have passed in numerous states and in the Republican House of Representatives. I won’t stand for these attacks on trans kids and LGBTQ Americans, who should be able live openly and freely as their authentic selves. We must oppose the intolerance, hatred, and violent bigotry that is fueling these disgusting and harmful laws.

“We all have a role to play to make our homes, schools, communities, and country welcoming to everyone. For my part, I will continue to stand alongside New Mexico’s LGBTQ community in support of policies to address homelessness and combat bullying and harassment. Every American deserves to make their own decisions about about their own bodies.”

Last year, Heinrich voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which provides certainty that the marriages of same-sex and interracial couples will be protected and given equal recognition across our nation.

Earlier this year, Heinrich supported the New Mexico Legislature’s passage of the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Act, which prohibits public entities in the state from discriminating against individuals seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care.

Earlier this year, the New Mexico Legislature passed the Expand Human Rights Scope Act to update the language in the New Mexico Human Rights Act by replacing the word “handicap” with “disability” and providing clearer and more inclusive definitions of sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity under state law. 

The Legislature also passed legislation to remove a previous requirement that name changes be published in a newspaper.

New Mexico amended its Human Rights Act in 2003 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, and consumer credit. In 2019, the Legislature unanimously passed a bill to repeal an explicit "15 or more employees" exemption, which had exempted businesses with less than 15 employees from the state's anti-discrimination law.

Original source can be found here.