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LAS CRUCES, MAY 1, 2009: The New Mexico GLBTQ Community Needs Assessment, the first of its kind, a project of Las Cruces based New Mexico GLBTQ Centers, Inc., has entered the final data gathering phase with a live online survey. The purpose of the New Mexico GLBTQ Community Needs Assessment is to determine the current state of life for the GLBTQ community of New Mexico, and to assess community attitudes and identify social service, mental and physical health, educational and social needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer questioning population of the state. The results of this anonymous survey will be used for program development by New Mexico GLBTQ Centers, to educate public policy makers, and to inform and support efforts to reduce homophobia.

“We are talking about the needs of 68,411 people, that is the GLBTQ population of New Mexico according to the Movement Advancement Project, many feeling isolated and afraid.”, states David Stocum, Interim Executive Director of NM GLBTQ Centers.” “This assessment is a step toward ending that isolation and fear, a step toward fully including ourselves in the community of New Mexico”, continues Stocum.

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers’ Board President Richard Scramstad encouraged all interested New Mexicans, gay and straight, to take part in the survey. “The results of this survey will allow us to ensure that the six regional community centers that we are creating around the state meet the needs and wants of the community we serve.” Scramstad stressed, “This survey is completely anonymous and the results will only be reported collectively as totals of the responses received. At no time will you be asked to give personally indentifying information and no individual responses will be reported.”

Those wishing to participate in the survey may access it at http://NMglbtqCenters.needs.sgizmo.com or from NM GLBTQ Centers’ website, http://newmexicoglbtqcenters.org.

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers will share the results of the New Mexico GLBTQ Community Needs Assessment with members of the state legislature, other agencies serving the GLBTQ community and with the general public later this year. The New Mexico GLBTQ Community Needs Assessment is being funded by a grant from the Gamma Mu Foundation.