Interesting week

Lea County and Lea County Pride had an interesting week. This last week (June 1 – 7) was packed with political activities. First off, the governor of New Mexico was at the Junior College to give a Town Hall Meeting. Since Lea County is a very red county, it is nice that she decided to visit us and give us a chance to discuss what is happening at the federal, state, and local area.

In addition, Somos Un Pueblo Unido had a gathering at City Park to figure out what is to be done about ICE in our community. Lea County is one of the few non-sanctuary counties in New Mexico, and that is quite depressing. ICE has been in Lea County a couple of times in the last six months and have disappeared people, including children. Admittedly, there is something very wrong when a federal agency can pick up people without a warrant, without due process, and make them disappear. In addition, they are covering their faces and not providing proof of their agency when they pick up people. Whether that is illegal or not, I don’t know. Is it disturbing? Absolutely. Hopefully Somos and others can come up with a way to combat this weirdly fascist activity by ICE.

On Friday, Samael, the President of Lea County Pride, had a article printed in our local paper, The Hobbs News Sun. He discussed gender-affirming care that should make sense to cisgender people. It is well known that cisgender people make use of gender-affirming care all the time. To try and make gender-affirming care a trans issue only is quite suspect.

Finally, on Saturday, Lea County Pride held a Visibility event in Lovington to show that LGBTQ+ people and their allies live throughout Lea County. This was our second Visibility event this year. Hopefully, this will attract more members to Lea County Pride, both LGBTQ+ individuals but allies as well.