For many years, communities of color, those in rural areas, and communities of faith have been left out of conversations regarding abortion care. It is often assumed that, in New Mexico, these groups of people are too conservative and too religious to support the provision of safe and legal abortion. Years of place-based organizing in rural areas with people of color who identify as people of faith have revealed that our communities are able to stand in their own moral beliefs while still supporting others to make personal decisions about their own bodies and lives. This includes a person’s decision to have an abortion.
The billboards’ messaging and accompanying artwork celebrates community support and respect for all an individual’s decisions, highlighting the decision to seek abortion care, while also centering the diverse cultural and faith-based traditions of communities of color that undergrid support and respect.
Billboard 1: “Te celebramos en todas tus decisiones” (we celebrate you in all of your decisions) is accompanied by a brightly colored design representing people of all ages singing, rejoicing, and loving on the central character.
Billboard 2: “Honraremos tus decisiones sobre el aborto” (we honor your abortion decisions) is accompanied by a smaller group of supporters who are lovingly embracing the central character as she pensively grasps the rosary around her neck.
These culture shift billboards are intended to send a message of affirmation and support to those seeking care, and to spark critical conversations about abortion amongst Spanish-speaking people of faith in the borderland area. With recent abortion bans in our neighboring state of Texas and the impending threat of more states following suit, these welcoming billboards are a timely reminder for passers by that New Mexico is a place that will remain open to those seeking care.
2022 Black Leadership Circle Coloring Book
Over the last several months, the Black Leadership Circle (BLC) has been designing a coloring book that is representative of our beautiful melanated youth. The images in the coloring book have been lovingly created by the members of the BLC with the hopes of fostering imagination and growth. This coloring book, for all ages, is dedicated to everyone that has inspired us to be proud of our melanin magic.
All the World is Sleeping
This incredible film was created by Bold Futures and seven system-impacted women; we bring light to complexities of trauma, substance use and parenting in this raw and riveting story.
In 2017 Bold Futures NM resourced 7 system-impacted women to create a story that explored the complexities of trauma, substance use and parenting in New Mexico. The insight derived through this process, and from our leaders evolved into a feature film highlighting characters with authenticity and heart with the aim of pushing back against the stigma faced by pregnant women and people living through substance use and addiction. This beautiful film will shed light on the realities of addiction, and the resources that are so desperately needed for families living in cycles of substance use and addiction while lifting the expertise of women who have lived these truths. To learn more, visit the All the World is Sleeping Website.
Pharmacist Prescribing
Bold Futures NM is proud to have led advocacy and education efforts resulting in the passage of a pharmacy protocol that allows trained and licensed pharmacists in New Mexico to prescribe contraception. The protocol was passed by the Medical Board, Nursing Board, and Pharmacy Board and went into effect in June of 2017 and allows pharmacists to prescribe from a limited formulary of medications including hormonal contraception and emergency contraception.
This protocol does not move contraception “over-the-counter” as there would still be a requirement for a prescription. This allows a trained pharmacist to write prescriptions for approved contraceptive methods when it is medically appropriate to do so. These measures help increase access to contraception for individuals who don’t have regular access to a prescribing physician due to travel, work schedules, and those who have a lack of providers in their area.
Heart of New Mexico Podcast
What is a religious refusal? It’s when an individual or institution refuses to provide care or services to others based on their own religious beliefs and in many cases, religious refusals are legal. This series explores the impact of religious refusals on New Mexicans and their families.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
More Religious Refusals Resources
NM Entiende | What are Religious Refusals?
NM Entiende FAITH (Fighting Against Ideologies that Hate) Digital Convening
PAIL Pocket Pal
Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Education and Support
The Diné Birth Keepers designed a zine in honor of October’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. From the perspective of indigenous doulas, the zine is built to support conversations regarding the importance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) and how it affects our communities. This Pocket Pal can be used as a guide to facilitate healing spaces and provide education for those experiencing grief.