Pride Month, celebrated annually at The University of New Mexico, is more than a celebration—it reflects the people, stories, and achievements that make the Lobo community stronger, more inclusive, and more connected.
The UNM’s Arcoíris Center, formerly the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center, joins the month-long celebration that demonstrates how LGBTQ Americans have strengthened our country by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill, and will host and participate in a number of events in celebration of Pride Month.
This month, the UNM Arcoíris Center will participate in a number of events throughout the month as part of Pride Month including:
Paletas for Pride
June 2, 12 to 2 p.m.
BBRP Pavilion
Pride on the Pitch
June 6, Tailgate, 4 p.m., Game, 7 p.m.
Isotopes Park
** 35% off tickets via the QR code in the graphic, with $5 from every ticket sold benefiting the UNM Arcoíris Center.
ABQ Pride Parade Tailgating
June 13, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Central & Morningside
A Pride Movie Marathon
June 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arcoíris Center
Pride Closeout Brunch
June 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mesa Vista Courtyard
UNM LGBTQ History
The University of New Mexico’s Arcoíris Center, formerly the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center, began as a student initiative. Inaugural Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Dr. Josephine “Jozi” De Leon collaborated with students Jeffrey Waldo, David Griffith, and Adam Quintero to secure funding from the UNM Student Fee Review Board.
The Arcoíris Center’s doors opened in August 2010 at 608 Buena Vista Drive. In October 2010, Alma Rosa Silva-Bañuelos was hired as professional staff to oversee day-to-day operations of the Center, and Safe Zone trainings began to be offered to students, staff, faculty, and community. Silva-Bañuelos led the Center for the next six years. For more information on the Center’s history, visit Arcoíris Center.
The LGBTQ Legacy
The legacy of LGBTQ individuals is being discovered by interested readers and seasoned researchers perusing unparalleled global collections. The acquisition of historic material and the ongoing program of copyright deposits will continue to enrich the Library’s holdings of LGBTQ materials. The first Pride March in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
The collections of the Library of Congress contain many books, posters, sound recordings, manuscripts and other material produced by, about and for the LGBTQ community. The contributions of this community are preserved as part of our nation’s history, and include noted artistic works, musical compositions and contemporary novels. The Library’s American collections range from the iconic poetry of Walt Whitman through the manuscripts of the founder of LGBTQ activism in Washington, D.C., Frank Kameny.
The Library of Congress is the largest single repository of world knowledge in a single place. In addition to having the mission of acquiring and preserving this exponentially growing body of knowledge, the Library is responsible for making all of its vast collection accessible to all.”
The Stonewall Riots (1969)
"The Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world."
The Gay Rights Movement
"The gay rights movement in the United States has seen huge progress in the last century, and especially the last two decades. Laws prohibiting homosexual activity have been struck down; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals can now serve openly in the military. And same-sex couples can now legally get married and adopt children in all 50 states. But it has been a long and bumpy road for gay rights proponents, who are still advocating for employment, housing and transgender rights."
For more information, please visit Arcoíris Center.
