Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community In New Mexico

Candian's Prime Minister Harper's government is arguing in a divorce case that same-sex marriages are not valid unless they are recognized in the couples' home country.  For more info see Globe and Mail article or National Post article.

This month Community Voice celebrates its first anniversary. The mission of this e-publication is to create a virtual New Mexico LGBTQ community through the sharing of information. This month our New Mexico section has some new contributors. And, as usual, the national section is jam packed with interesting news of our community from around the country.
 
But without your voice there is no Community Voice. So make a commitment for 2012 to submit articles about your organization's activities. This is how we can build a virtual community state-wide.
 
I have also learned that there is a mistaken belief that Community Voice has a massive list of individual email addresses to which each month's edition is sent. This is not the case. Community Voice relies on each organization to distribute it to its membership. This is also how we build community, by sharing the same information.
 

In a landmark decision, the IRS has announced its agreement with an historic court ruling that allows tax deductions for medical care related to gender transition.

The decision, announced Wednesday and officially called a "notice of acquiescence," relates to O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner, a case brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders on behalf of a transgender woman who was denied the ability to take advantage of an existing federal income tax deduction for medical care costs because the IRS considered her transition-related care medically unnecessary.

In 2010, the U.S. Tax Court overturned IRS policy disallowing tax deductions for medical care related to gender transition, a policy the IRS defended by citing 2005 guidance from the IRS's Chief Counsel.

Wednesday’s announcement means that the IRS now agrees with the Tax Court's 2010 ruling.

Albuquerque Pride:  A recent rise in reporting gay teen suicides across the country has made our local GLBT community more aware of the lack of resources in our own city. With the political scene changing in New Mexico and hopes of a GLBT marriage bill or a domestic partnership bill dwindling, Albuquerque Pride Inc, the largest GLBT Event in the State of New Mexico is opening the Pride GLBT Resource Center (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender) in the City of Albuquerque. The center has a GLBT library filled with videos and books. Other features include: wireless internet, coffee room, administrative office, Pride Coordinator office, an Executive office. The center will offer counseling services, while providing a safe haven for the community. The GLBT resource center will be the first of its kind in Albuquerque!