State of New Mexico Archives: on Civil Rights


Heather Wilson: Don't criminalize teasing gays in school; it's free speech

During an April 12th debate, Heather Wilson joined the so-called pro-bullying chorus when she staked out her opposition to SB 555, the Student Non-Discrimination Act. The measure would provide LGBT students with similar civil rights protections against bullying "as those that currently apply to students based on race and gender." Wilson argued that the bill would violate students' free speech rights and criminalize "teasing":

WILSON: I don't support the act is because I think it's misplaced. We have to recognize as parents that children tease each other because you're short or you're tall or you're a redhead or all kinds of differences and as parents we have to deal with that. But that particular act is so broad it would actually punish children and say that it's prohibited to express an opinion with respect to homosexuality in the schools. I just think that's wrong and it's a violation of the First Amendment.

Source: Igor Volsky in ThinkProgress.org on 2012 N.M. Senate debate Apr 20, 2012

Hector Balderas: Same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue

Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?

Balderas: I see this as a civil rights issue. Yes, I'm supportive of gay marriage and of civil rights issues for all groups.

Heinrich: I support marriage equality. I commend the president for stepping out on the issue. All couples should have access to civil rights. I would work to repeal DOMA

Source: KOAT-7 live blogging of 2012 N.M. Senate debate Jun 3, 2012

Joe Carraro: No civil unions, and no same-sex marriage

Q: Should New Mexico recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?

A: No.

Q: Should New Mexico restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?

A: Yes.

Source: 2004 N.M. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 7, 2004

Joe Carraro: No affirmative action in state college nor state hiring

Q: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on: Public employment

A: No.

Q: State college and university admissions

A: No.

Q: State contracting

A: No.

Source: 2004 N.M. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 7, 2004

Martin Heinrich: Supports marriage equality; opposes DOMA

Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?

Balderas: I see this as a civil rights issue. Yes, I'm supportive of gay marriage and of civil rights issues for all groups.

Heinrich: I support marriage equality. I commend the president for stepping out on the issue. All couples should have access to civil rights. I would work to repeal DOMA

Source: KOAT-7 live blogging of 2012 N.M. Senate debate Jun 3, 2012

Tom Udall: Pushed for years on wage gap between men and women

Udall was asked specifically about the wage gap between men and women and said he has pushed on the issue for years, but is frustrated by the lack of movement.
Source: 2008 N.M. Senate debate report in N.M.Business-Weekly Aug 22, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of New Mexico Politicians: Archives.
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Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

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Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
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