WHO WE ARE
HEAL Plus NM stands for Health Equity Alliance for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans. We are queer and trans+ New Mexicans united in our vision for liberation. We believe that all people have a right to live long, healthy lives. HEAL Plus NM (Health Equity Alliance for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans) has two arms that work for justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, transgender, gender non-conforming, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and questioning (LGBTQIA2s+) people. One arm of our organization works by and for our LGBTQIA2S+ community to build health resources, increase queer power through creative collaboration, and uplift the New Mexican culture that treasures our queer and trans+ siblings. The other arm works to bring queer and trans voices to change health systems. By centering LGBTQIA2S+ people with an intersectional approach produces community-sourced collective solutions that serve all people.
WHAT WE DO
We gather our communities for connection and healing. We create resources such as SQUINCH4GSA’s and SQUINCH4families, and partner with healthcare providers in our queer- and trans-affirming directory, Bright Spaces, Welcome Places.
We work with providers and health systems to increase. We have gathered since 2003, and we know that community connection and freedom from violence are essential to create health equity for our people.
Connecting families through art and dialogue
Queer Futures Now: an original play based on stories from queer and trans youth in New Mexico
The Plus Represents...
All gender and sexualities that diverge from the binaries.
Our vision of a world where all people have health and opportunities to thrive.
The interlocking identities that make up a human experience.
Our commitment to centering the experiences of those most marginalized in the work towards health equity solutions.
Our commitment to dismantling white supremacy, sexism, cisgenderism, ableism, classism, ageism, and oppression in all forms through honest dialogue and coalition-building.
Our Mission
HEAL Plus NM’s mission is to address risk across social determinants of health for lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, transgender, gender nonconforming, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, and pansexual (LGBTQ+) people and their intersectional lives. HEAL Plus NM works to advance education, research, and support for the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people.
Our Work
Bright Spaces, Welcome Places, a directory of mental health agencies that have LGBTQ-affirming policies
SQUINCH: Healthy Relationship Curriculum for Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSAs) clubs
SQUINCH for Families is a play and curriculum for parents and family members of LGBTQ+ young people.
Community resource directory & newsletter
Community events and member meetings for LGBTQ+ community health
Our Commitment
Connecting LGBTQ+ folks to health services and health resources
Dismantling the root causes of health inequity — intersecting oppression in our institutions and social norms
Collaborating with LGBTQ+ organizations, public health institutions, and healthcare systems to address health inequities
Creating health messaging and curriculum for LGBTQ+ folks
Educating and advising on pathways to health equity
Reducing the burden of commercial tobacco and nicotine on LGBTQ+ people
Cultivating LGBTQ+ leadership in public health
