Several weeks ago, in advance of today’s National Equality March, New Mexico lesbian, gay, bisexual, transactivists held a town hall meeting at the University of New Mexico campus to collect local stories and concerns to take to Washington, D.C. for the National Equality March set for October 10 and 11.

At the meeting, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer New Mexicans discussed domestic partnership, housing laws, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, rural and youth outreach, hate crime legislation, and how taxes affect the LGBTQ community.

Kelly Hutton, a UNM graduate student who helped to organize the meeting, said it was the little bits of everyday discrimination she feels, such as when trying to buy insurance, that motivated her to to the National Equality March in Washington:

Also marching on Capitol Hill, local members of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) discussed issues the group planned to take to federal lawmakers in regard to discrimination within the American military, mainly the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy:

One AVER member, Dorothy Baker, shared how her life has changed since she last participated in an equality march:

Lisa O’Brien of the Taos Community Foundation shared her concerns about how to help LGBTQ youth in rural communities:

The Rev. Ronald Hersom from the First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque, announced a candlelight vigil in support of the march, scheduled for today, Sunday, Oct. 11.

Members of the UNM Queer-Straight Alliance who were planning to be in Washington today said they would bring back information from Washington, D.C. in order to increase LGBTQ visibility and activism on campus, while networking with other student groups dedicated to equality.

And finally, RainbowVision of Santa Fe brought up issues concerning seniors in the LGBTQ community — i.e. hospital visitation rights, housing and insurance policy, and healthcare.

To share your concerns and comments regarding LGBTQ rights, email the New Mexico NEM team at nmnationalequalitymarch@gmail.com.