New Mexico Senate Cancels LGBT Recognition Day

Senator Bill Sharer

Plans for an LGBT Recognition Day in the New Mexico State Senate on Wednesday were thwarted after Republicans voiced their apprehension to it, and then threatened to shut down that day's session. Senator Bill Sharer said he would fillibuster if the LGBT Recognition Day were to proceed, according to Progress Now New Mexico.

To appease the Republicans, the Senate instead drafted a non-binding certificate honoring the LGBT community of Sante Fe. The certificate does not present the same recognition for other groups honored by the State Senate. Previous Recognition Days have been established for people who eat corn, others who ride trains, and people who live in Azerbaijan, according to Progress Now New Mexico, which is now circulating a petition urging Sharer to allow the Recognition Day of LGBT citizens.