Take pride in pride here at UNM. June 1 marks the first day of Pride Month, a 30-day celebration in commemoration of over 50 years of LGBTQ+ activism and community.
“Pride season is upon us, and we are gearing up for another year of living out, living proud. Pride as an event means so many things to each of us. For some it is their first time being seen in their full identities, for others it is a chance to be in community and feel a semblance of safety,” UNM LGBTQ Resource Center Education Specialist Frankie Flores said.
Pride Month has been a key commemoration since the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969. Over the span of six days, starting June 28, 1969, police raided the bar called Stonewall Inn–a small, safe space for Queer people. Many Queer people, many of whom were people of color, fought back against the police during those raids. One year later, in honor of that riot, the first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
“This history is important for us to remember as we continue to advance our goals of liberation for all,” Flores said.
To many today, the gravity of Pride month derives from the space and time it reserves each year to observe the legacies of Queer leaders involved in the riots, including Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé Delevrarie and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. More objectively, Pride month also makes space for Queer and Trans people to feel best represented and reminded of the potentiality of the diverse league of voices within the community.
“This historical moment, taking place in the early hours of the day, was the culmination of decades of violence,” Flores said. “This rebellion lasted many days and was intersectional, bringing together marginalized groups who knew all too well the ways police violence affected the safety of our community.”
To celebrate Pride, and honor its history, UNM’s LGBTQ Resource Center is kicking off a series of on and off-campus events throughout the month to best hone in on its mission of providing support, education and advocacy to UNM.
Dancing in the Cave: Pride Edition
June 2, 7:30 p.m. at Maxwell Museum
UNM Comes Out For Pride Kickoff
June 4, 3 to 7 p.m., at Albuquerque Social Club
Isotopes Pride Night
June 11, 6 p.m., at Isotopes Stadium
Free tickets to the first 15 UNM affiliates who sign up
UNMH Safe Zone
June 13, 9 a.m.
Signup available in UNM Learning Central
Ice Cream Social
June 14, 11 a.m., at Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion
Planet Taz: Queer Prom
June 14, 8 p.m., at Meow Wolf
Queering Juneteenth
June 15, 12 p.m., at SUB rooms Lobo A and B
UNM Comes Out for Pride Block Party
June 23, 4 p.m., at UNM LGBTQ Resource Center
Pride on the Pitch: New Mexico United
June 24, 7 p.m., at Isotopes Stadium
Free tickets for the first 15 UNM affiliates who sign up
Queering UNM History
June 28, 12 p.m., at SUB rooms Lobo A&B
Past UNM pride events have been heavily-anticipated by students gearing up for the nationwide celebration. It’s an annual reminder of the resources and culture provided to students, staff and faculty that are often routine, or under the radar for everyday life on campus. Wherever they are in their journey to Queer celebration, there is space for them on UNM campus.
“Pride is not about being flashy. It's about the bonds of community. We choose to focus our Pride events on campus because all of our resources are campus-focused. We want to make sure we can give back that love and care to our campus and local communities so that it can spread elsewhere.” LGBTQ Resource Center Undergraduate Student Associate Maya Pachecho said.
The space and opportunity to memorialize the past efforts within the community and what it lends to its future is what keeps most Queer and Trans people eagerly awaiting the festivities.
“We have a month full of events to honor the diverse Trans and Queer voices that exist on campus,” Flores said. “I look forward to seeing you all on campus, and I encourage us to greet each other with the common cheer heard during June: Happy Pride.”