Santa Fe, New Mexico has been named the most LGBTQ-friendly city in the state by the Human Rights Campaign. This is due to a number of factors, including the city’s non-discrimination laws, hate crime prevention efforts, and support for LGBTQ businesses and organizations.
Santa Fe has a non-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The city also has a hate crime prevention law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, Santa Fe has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Santa Fe Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico.
In addition to its welcoming atmosphere, Santa Fe also has a number of other factors that make it a great place to live for LGBTQ people. The city has a diverse population, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and a number of colleges and universities.
Here Are Some Of The Things That Make Santa Fe The Most LGBTQ-friendly City In New Mexico:
- Non-discrimination laws: Santa Fe has a non-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Hate crime prevention: Santa Fe also has a hate crime prevention law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Support for LGBTQ businesses and organizations: Santa Fe has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Santa Fe Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico.
- Diverse population: Santa Fe has a diverse population, with people from all walks of life. This makes it a welcoming place for LGBTQ people from all backgrounds.
- Vibrant arts and culture scene: Santa Fe has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a variety of museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions. This makes it a great place to live for LGBTQ people who are looking for a culturally enriching place to live.
- Colleges and universities: Santa Fe is home to a number of colleges and universities, including the Santa Fe Community College and the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. These colleges and universities often have LGBTQ-affirming resources and support programs.
In Addition To Santa Fe, There Are Many Other LGBTQ-friendly Cities In New Mexico, Including:
Albuquerque: Albuquerque has a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Albuquerque Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico. Albuquerque is also home to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, which has a permanent exhibit on LGBTQ history and culture.
Las Cruces: Las Cruces has a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Las Cruces Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico. Las Cruces is also home to the New Mexico State University, which has a number of LGBTQ-affirming resources and support programs.
Roswell: Roswell has a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Roswell Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico. Roswell is also home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center, which is a popular tourist destination.
Rio Rancho: Rio Rancho has a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Rio Rancho Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico. Rio Rancho is also home to the Intel Rio Rancho campus, which is a major employer in the state.
Farmington: Farmington has a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Farmington Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico. Farmington is also home to the San Juan College, which has a number of LGBTQ-affirming resources and support programs.
Taos: Taos has a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also has a number of LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations, including the Taos Pride Alliance and the Equality New Mexico. Taos is also home to the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These are just a few of the many LGBTQ-friendly cities in New Mexico. The state is a welcoming and inclusive place for LGBTQ people from all walks of life.
| City | Population | LGBTQ+ Population | MEI Score |
| Albuquerque | 562,382 | 5.5% | 89 |
| Las Cruces | 111,726 | 6.4% | 87 |
| Rio Rancho | 107,870 | 7.3% | 81 |
| Farmington | 46,595 | 8.2% | 85 |
| Taos | 5,717 | 11.3% | 95 |
Sources:
- City Name: United States Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/
- Population: United States Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/
- LGBTQ+ Population: Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/
- MEI Score: Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/
FAQ: LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in New Mexico
Q. What is an LGBTQ-friendly city?
An LGBTQ-friendly city is a city where LGBTQ people feel safe, welcome, and supported. This means that the city has laws and policies in place to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination and violence, and that there are resources and services available to support LGBTQ people.
Q. What are the benefits of living in an LGBTQ-friendly city?
There are many benefits to living in an LGBTQ-friendly city. LGBTQ-friendly cities are more likely to have:
- Lower rates of violence and discrimination against LGBTQ people
- More LGBTQ-affirming businesses and organizations
- More inclusive communities and workplaces
- More opportunities for LGBTQ people to thrive
Q. Why is it important for cities to be LGBTQ-friendly?
LGBTQ-friendly cities create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. When LGBTQ people feel safe and supported, they are more likely to thrive in their communities. LGBTQ-friendly cities also attract and retain top talent, which can boost the local economy.
Q. What are some of the challenges that LGBTQ people face in New Mexico?
Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, LGBTQ people in New Mexico still face a number of challenges. These challenges include:
- Discrimination: LGBTQ people in New Mexico are still at risk of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Violence: LGBTQ people in New Mexico are at an increased risk of violence, particularly hate crimes.
- Lack of access to healthcare: LGBTQ people in New Mexico may have difficulty accessing healthcare, particularly if they live in rural areas.
Q. What can be done to make New Mexico more LGBTQ-friendly?
There are a number of things that can be done to make New Mexico more LGBTQ-friendly. These include:
- Passing and enforcing non-discrimination laws: New Mexico should pass and enforce non-discrimination laws that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Funding LGBTQ-affirming organizations: New Mexico should provide funding to LGBTQ-affirming organizations that provide support and services to LGBTQ people.
- Educating the public: New Mexico should educate the public about LGBTQ issues and the importance of LGBTQ equality.
