Who We Are

Our Vision

We envision a world where oppression is obsolete, and every aspect of identity is seen, respected, and celebrated.

Our Mission

To be a trusted partner and amplify the voices and leadership of our community as we build a future rooted in equity, full access, and sustainable wellness for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans.

Our Belief

We believe every LGBTQ+ New Mexican is a vital part of our Land of Enchantment. We are more than our identities, and our health and wellbeing are essential to a just, thriving world.
This belief drives us to challenge both systemic and personal barriers that limit self-determination and keep our communities from fully thriving.

Priorities

  • Statewide Movement Building

  • Trans Community Advocacy

  • Political Advocacy + Leadership Development

  • Community Wellness + Quality of Life

  • Financial Sustainability

Criteria

  • Does the community need, want, and support this?

  • Are we addressing the needs of those in our community most impacted by oppression and injustice?

  • Are there opportunities to collaborate, have statewide and/or rural impact, and build our movement and power?

  • Does the work ensure an intersectional framework?

  • Is it in line with our mission, and do we have the resources?

Staff

Marshall Martinez | Executive Director

Marshall is an organizer, and has been a political strategist for multiple candidates and organizations; from fighting climate change with the League of Conservation Voters to working for fair pay and safe working conditions with AFSCME-the public employees labor union. All personal fights because, like all of us, he has lived a multi-issue life.

Born and raised in Alamogordo, New Mexico, to a working-class family and a group of particularly strong women (and a few great men, too!) in High School he worked to educate young people about safer sex. Marshall’s policy expertise focuses on Gender and Sexuality, Bodily Autonomy, and Reproductive and Sexual Healthcare. Marshall also prides himself on his skillset for navigating attacks against our values, in ways that build power for the communities being attacked rather than just winning the short-term fight. Marshall strongly believes in the African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."

Nathan Saavedra (he/him) | Project Manager

Nathan has been with EQNM for the past two years, beginning in his junior year of college at the University of New Mexico, where he graduated in 2024 with a bachelors in political science and intercultural communications. He was born in Albuquerque, NM and raised in Belen, NM, a town which ingrained into him the strength and value of community, along with the desire to advocate for a more equal and empathetic society.

While not working, Nathan enjoys a consistent search for new hobbies until the "right one" is found or a collection of "right ones". So far including reading, painting, and spending time in the community.

Michelle Najera (she/her) | Administrative Assistant

Michelle Najera is a Latina born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is currently pursuing a degree in Biology with hopes of becoming a Physician Assistant. Michelle's passion for the medical field stems from her desire to help others, a value instilled in her from a young age.

Growing up in a close-knit Mexican family, Michelle loves spending time with her close friends and relatives. When she's not studying or working, she finds joy in hobbies such as dance, going to the gym, reading, painting, and playing the electric guitar. Michelle’s desire to give a voice to her community is why she loves to work with EQNM!

Gauge Burnett (he/him) | Development Associate

Gauge is a transgender activist and recent transplant to southern New Mexico. He received his BA in political science and mathematics from Washington College in 2019. After an abbreviated service with AmeriCorps NCCC, he spent a year at Iowa State University as a grad student and sculpture artist working to make exciting math accessible to general audiences. Gauge also holds a master's in mathematical sciences from NMSU.

At NMSU, Gauge founded Students for Reproductive Rights and found joy in queer community. He serves on the southern NM Walk to End Alzheimer's organizing committee in between his hiking, biking, and unicycling adventures across the state.

Rudy Montoya | Brand & Marketing Manager

Rudy is a seasoned graphic designer and Brand and Marketing Manager with over 15 years of experience. Currently working for a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing political change for LGBTQ individuals, he is passionate about using design to amplify voices and foster community empowerment. Raised in New Mexico, he has collaborated with various non-profits to create positive change for underserved communities. With a strong commitment to advocacy and creativity, Rudy strives to make a meaningful impact through effective branding and strategic marketing.

Hazel Valente | Compton Organizer

Hazel is a Trans Woman who dedicated her teenage years to advocating for the LGBTQ+ community at her school. She founded the school's GSA and conducted seminars for teachers and staff on effectively supporting LGBTQ+ students. Her commitment to organizing and community activism ignited a profound passion for driving change.

Currently studying Political Science at CNM, Hazel aspires to enter policy work to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is an artist dedicated to creating empowering and uplifting art for both LGBTQ+ and plus-sized individuals. Her enthusiasm for public speaking and law fuels her desire to contribute to EQNM's mission of protecting the LGBTQ+ community and amplifying its voices.

Board

Melissa M. Alexander (She, her, hers) | Equality New Mexico Board Chair

Retired after three careers and relocated to New Mexico. She and her wife/partner, Paula fell in love with the Land of Enchantment when they vacationed here years ago. Melissa practiced law for twenty-one years in various jurisdictions with a primary focus on employment and labor law as well as litigation. Following her practice, she started a small business where she worked as a professional meeting planner. Melissa also taught college courses as an instructor for various institutions for seventeen years. She taught courses in employment and business law, paralegal studies, communications, professionalism, political science and ethics. Melissa also wrote college courses for several organizations as a curriculum developer. Melissa devoted much of her life to community service serving on numerous charitable organization boards, a ten-year volunteer league official for youth softball and baseball leagues and as a volunteer cook at food shelters and community programs. She also served nine years on the Board of Directors of TransOhio, an organization which advocated for the transgender and gender-nonconforming community throughout the state of Ohio.  Melissa planned and coordinated ten TransOhio Symposiums, a three-day conference for the community, allies and service providers. Melissa enjoys travel, cooking and baking along with her favorite hobby, ceramics. 

Paul Oostenbrug (He/Him)

Paul is a retirement specialist who helps people develop strategies for their use of Medicare and long term care services. He has master’s degrees in Regional Planning and Health Care Administration from long ago and far away. He was a government proposal and grant writer for 20 years. He is the SAGE Albuquerque representative on the EQNMF board. Paul previously served on the EQNMF board. He has long volunteered with the Federation Gay Games (he’s an honorary life member and Founders Award winner), as well as AIDS/HIV service organizations in Chicago, Boston, and Washington, DC.. He enjoys running, cycling, and swimming and is definitely not a triathlete.

Pamm Meyers (she/her) | Equality New Mexico Foundation Board Member

Pamm Meyers, storyteller, dynamic leader and advocate dedicated to fostering prosperity

within the LGBTQIA community through business innovation and social advocacy. With a

multifaceted background, Pamm has become a trailblazer in various fields, leaving an indelible

mark on New Mexico’s LGBTQIA and business communities. As CEO of Go Social, Pamm Meyers Social Media. https://www.pammmeyerssocialmedia.com/ Pamm is at the forefront of digital marketing and podcasting solutions for business owners and organizations. Her visionary approach has empowered countless ventures to harness the potential of social media, unlocking new avenues for growth and engagement and is a driving force behind her client’s success, leveraging the power of connectivity to elevate their brand through digital marketing and podcasting. Pamm is the managing partner of Two Flower Productions, https://www.twoflowerproductions.com/, a podcasting company that produces “Lip Service, the podcast of Our Coming Out stories”, https://lipservice.media, (4800+ subscribers in 39 countries), 3Q, New Mexico’s Business Podcast, https://3qnm.com (4439+ subscribers in New Mexico). Previously the Executive Director of the New Mexico Out Business Alliance, currently, Board Advisor for the Way Out West Film Fest, https://wayoutwestilmfest.com/, Board Advisor for the Albuquerque Community Foundation Pride Circle, https://abqcf.org/pride-circle/ supporting the LGBTQIA community through philanthropy.

Kat Sanchez (She/Her) | Equality New Mexico Foundation Board Chair

Justin Garoutte (they/he) Equality New Mexico Foundation Board Member

Justin is a gay, genderqueer, Latine public health leader from Antonito, Colorado. With over eight years of experience in public health, they are passionate about promoting health equity and social justice with marginalized communities across New Mexico. In 2019, they received their Master of Public Health with distinction from the University of New Mexico College of Population Health with a focus on sexual and gender minority health. Justin has served as Policy Chair to the LGBTQ Health Caucus of the American Public Health Association and Policy Committee Co-Chair of the New Mexico Public Health Association. In 2021, they were named 40 Under 40 in Public Health by the de Beaumont Foundation. Currently, they are pursuing their Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in health equity and social justice from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Justin aspires to continue breaking down barriers for health and building power through community organizing and policy advocacy. They reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with their husband and cats Mochi and Zucca. When they are not breaking down barriers for health, you can find them on the local trails, camping, and kayaking the Río Grande.

Katalina Hadfield (she/her) | Equality New Mexico Board Member

Katalina Hadfield (she/her) was born and raised in the Las Cruces area, and is thrilled to be at home serving the community that she loves so dearly. Katalina is an attorney at New Mexico Legal Aid in Las Cruces, where she performs housing, public benefits, and other legal services for lower-income New Mexicans.

Katalina earned her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Psychology from Duke University in North Carolina, followed by stints as a social work researcher in Seattle, and as a writer and project manager for the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. Katalina then earned her J.D. from Berkeley Law in California, where she specialized in Environmental Law and Public Interest & Social Justice Law.

Katalina is deeply devoted to serving her fellow LGBTQIA community. At the Human Rights Campaign, she was the lead researcher on anti-transgender violence, and led the Trans and Gender-Expansive Employee Resource Group. In law school, she served as co-chair of Queer Caucus, and led initiatives to improve the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming students, faculty, and staff. As an undergraduate, she served on the Presidential Task Force on Hate and Bias Issues. She's also a seasoned drag queen, and may be coming to a drag show near you!

In her spare time, Katalina enjoys stargazing, crafting, watching movies, making music, watering her plants, and spending time with her kitties, Algernon and Onion.

Daniel Williams (he/him) | Equality New Mexico Board Member

Daniel Williams currently serves as the Policing Policy Advocate at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico. He previously served the ACLU-NM as the communications organizer working toward the freedom to marry in 2013. A lifelong New Mexican, Daniel grew up in Raton and Albuquerque. Prior to returning to New Mexico, Daniel spent six years serving as a minister to a progressive, social justice-oriented Presbyterian congregation in Austin, TX.

Daniel’s experience as an organizer and advocate began in his teenage years and has covered issues including LGBTQIA+ liberation, economic justice, reproductive freedom, immigrant justice, and more. He is a former board member of More Light Presbyterians and a past contributing writer for The Resistance Prays. Daniel spends his free time at the yarn store, the gym, or listening to yet another audiobook when not working to create a future characterized by justice, liberation, and solidarity.