With the recent election returning Donald Trump to the presidency, we find ourselves at a new crossroads, faced with deep questions about fear, hope, responsibility, and the ongoing struggles for equity and justice. This moment may challenge us, yet it also reminds us of the critical work ahead—the collective struggle and determination that drive us to keep pushing forward. In these times, the path ahead feels more uncertain than ever, especially for those who are most vulnerable—those who find themselves directly targeted by policies and rhetoric that threaten their rights, their identities, and their futures.
Progress shouldn’t be measured only by historic milestones but also by the relentless, daily efforts of those committed to change—efforts that persist, often unnoticed and undervalued, yet are essential to fostering lasting growth. The weight of history urges us not only to see the structures that shape our lives but to continue building spaces where we hold each other up, confront inequities, and create the futures we deserve.
At New Mexico State University, the Gender & Sexuality Studies (G&SS) academic degree program tackles these challenges through education, critical inquiry, and community engagement. Our interdisciplinary curriculum equips learners with the tools to analyze and address issues such as gender inequality, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, masculinities, and social equity. Guided by our motto, "Everybody’s got a body, G&SS is learning for every body," we foster spaces for critical, even lifesaving dialogue, knowledge, and action. G&SS empowers students to make a real difference in communities, businesses, and their own lives. We provide indispensable learning, preparing all learners for today’s world as well as the challenges and opportunities of the future.
This program is a lifeline for students, offering education and spaces to explore identity, advocate for justice, and engage in meaningful work. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to invest in G&SS to ensure it continues to thrive and empower. Disciplines like G&SS are not just academic offerings; they are incubators for the critical thinking and leadership our world urgently needs. Moreover, G&SS remains committed to holding space for truth, knowledge, critical and creative expression, worldmaking, joy, resilience, and community, even amid continued instability. Feminist and queer theory teaches us that change is rarely easy and never linear, but it’s sustained by shared knowledge, coalescence, and the relentless courage to envision and push toward a different society and other models for collective life.
Experience the impact of our ongoing efforts by joining us this summer at the 10th Annual Feminist Border Arts Film Festival and Zine Fest on June 6-7, 2025, at the University Art Museum. Free and open to the public, this event showcases new voices and transformative narratives from the Borderlands, the U.S., and beyond, using film and zines to push the boundaries of expression and activism. Your participation helps ensure our communities grow with understanding, creativity, and a commitment to meaningful progress.
We press forward, knowing that change is born from solidarity, persistence, and the refusal to turn away from difficult truths. Yet, within this process, we also seek to maintain and build connections that sustain and empower us.
Visit genders.nmsu.edu to learn more. Together, let’s build a future where lasting change takes root.
Dr. M. C. Jonet
Associate Professor, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Co-Founding Director, Feminist Border Arts
New Mexico State University
