HRC field update from New Mexico…
January 26, 2009
Thanks to Terry McGuire, HRC's Western regional field organizer, for this field update from New Mexico: 
Hello from the sunny Southwest! I’ve only been on the ground in New Mexico a few days, and I can tell you things are really moving quickly here. I joined my fellow HRC’er Marybeth Lennox in Albuquerque on Thursday. We are working with a coalition of progressive partners on passing the Domestic Partnership Rights and Responsibilities Act. This legislation would allow all New Mexicans, gay or straight, the ability to enter into a state-recognized relationship that would provide all of the rights and responsibilities that the state conveys to married couples. It’s an extremely important bill, and its passage would be historic. If passed, New Mexico would become the first non-coastal state to offer relationship recognition to LGBT couples. The bill would also allow elderly or disabled couples, who cannot marry for fear of losing various benefits, the protections that they also need and deserve. 
Recently, Marybeth and I hosted an HRC meet-and-greet event. Over 25 community members showed up for campaign updates, to network with allied neighbors, and of course for some good food and drink. We talked about the importance of passing this bill, signed up folks for volunteer shifts, and had the entire crowd write letters in support of the DP bill to their senators. It was a great evening, and everyone had a lot of fun. Check out the pictures to get a sense of what you missed out on! 
We expect that the DP bill will see significant movement in the coming week. Given that the New Mexico State Legislature will only be in session for 60 days this year (they alternate 60 and 30-day sessions every other year!) we assure you that there will be a lot of updates coming in the next few weeks. Goodbye for now!
