Thursday, February 27, 2003

New Mexico close to passing protections for
sexual orientation and gender identity

The New Mexico senate on Wednesday voted 22-18 for a gay rights bill that
mirrors a version passed two days earlier by the house. The legislation does
not go to the governor's desk because the same bill must pass both houses.
But the senate vote--after about four hours of debate--sends a strong signal
that the legislature is prepared to enact the antidiscrimination measure
after years of lobbying by activists. "I am very positive about the
prospects," said Linda Siegle of the Coalition for Equality in New Mexico.
"We started this process in 1991, and it's past time for gay and
transgendered people to have their rights in New Mexico."

The legislation would broaden the state's Human Rights Act to cover sexual
orientation and gender identity. It would make it illegal to discriminate in
matters of employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and union
membership. "This bill is about the dreams of those people...who have been
crushed by discrimination in housing and employment and who had nowhere to
turn," said its sponsor, Sen. Cisco McSorley.

Supporters say the measure is needed because it's now legal to refuse to hire
someone, or to fire someone, because he or she is gay--or because of the
perception that the person is gay. "What we should be known for as a
legislature is that we won't stand for discrimination of any kind," said
senate majority leader Manny Aragon. All 22 votes in favor came from
Democrats, and 17 of the 18 senators voting no were Republicans.

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia include sexual orientation in
their antidiscrimination laws. (Only two include gender identity)

http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=7869&sd=02/27/03