May-August 2026 - The Pride Issue: Extras - Hope for Transgender and Non-Binary New Mexicans by Adrien Lawyer

Photo Credit: Patrick Perkins, unsplash.com

There is no denying that these are dark days for queer and trans people throughout the United States. Attacks on trans youth, trans healthcare and gender non-conforming folks are escalating. Even in New Mexico, we saw two major insurance carriers, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare, discontinue coverage for gender-affirming care, for people of all ages, in 2026. Transgender and non-binary people are currently unable to obtain US passports that reflect their correct gender, rather than their designated sex at birth, and there is a heightened sense of danger for trans and non-binary people all over the country. 

That’s why it’s important to remember that we have a long history of taking care of each other and surviving daunting opposition, socially and politically. LGBTQ people can look back to the 1980s and 1990s era of HIV/AIDS activism and community care to remember that not only did we care for our dying siblings, we forced the US government to step up research and approval for AIDS drugs and to enact Ryan White funding, which has existed since 1990. 

We can even look back to the Stonewall era, when Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries). STAR then created STAR House (1970-1971) to take in trans youth and feed and house them. They also advocated for prison reform during that time, all while struggling with homelessness and deep resource insecurity. 

In that same tradition, New Mexico has TGRCNM (Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico). TGRC is here to help people with anything from free clothing, food, and a shower to legal name change assistance and emergency financial assistance. Trans and non-binary people can stop by our drop-in center at 1515 4th St. NW any time between 1:00-6:00 Monday, Wednesday or Friday. We have amazing staff who create a welcoming environment and want to help. TGRC has specific programming for youth and families, but we serve all ages! We also operate Casa Lola, a transitional living facility in Albuquerque. Casa Lola holds up to 6 trans or non-binary people at a time with each person staying for around 12 months. Folks receive wraparound services during that time with a goal of entering permanent sustainable housing at the end of their stay. 

Additionally, TGRCNM works with a coalition of organizations who are values-aligned on policy and legislative protections here in our home state. EQNM, ACLU, Bold Futures, Progress Now NM and many others come together throughout the year to tackle issues that affect our communities. We are partnered up currently to move forward a data privacy bill, state-level protections for trans, non-binary and intersex people who are incarcerated, a rainbow budget allocation and other public safety measures that are truly about community safety rather than simply increased policing and punishment. 

Beyond the organizations that work, day in and day out, to build access and safety for our communities, there’s YOU! Each one of us can be part of protecting each other and caring for each other. LGBTQ people have formed chosen families since forever, and now is the time to hold on tightly to yours. Reach out if TGRCNM can help you, or join our mailing list. Join the mailing lists of Equality New Mexico and Bold Futures. Follow us on socials and share our messages to your friends and loved ones. Let us know if you want to volunteer, and know that donors are part of the front lines too! No matter what you can afford to give, you are part of the team when you pitch in financially. Let’s turn toward each other, just like we have always done, in this incredibly challenging time. LGBTQ people have always been here, and we always will. And - we got us!