Thousands of people globally celebrates Pride Month, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights; Albuquerque is not an exemption. Hundreds of people celebrated Pride at Albuquerque’s Pride Parade and PrideFest, celebrating community, visibility, and inclusion through this annual event.
This year’s celebration carries the theme of “Unity: None of us are free until we are all free,” a message from the organizers which reflects the importance of standing together while continuing to fight for equality.
The event will begin with Albuquerque Pride Parade at 10 A.M., traversing thtough Central Avenue from Wallesley Drive to San Mateo Boulevard. According to Pride Board President Raymond Sierra Lopez, this year’s parade will be the largest in the organization’s history.
“The Pride parade has over 150 registered folks. That’s going to be the largest we’ve ever had in Albuquerque in the last 50 years,” says Lopez.
The parade will feature a wide range of community groups, businesses, and organizations representing different parts of Albuquerque and the state.
“They can expect to see all parts of the community displayed,” he expressed. “There’s gonna be lots of representation when it comes to the parade,” he added.
What’s In For Pridefest?
Following the parade, the Pridefest will take place form 1:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at Civic Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque. The festival taking place at the plaza for the second time will feature live entertainment, vendors, community organizations and performances from local and national talent.
Performers are star studded including Ada Vox, known for her appearances on “American Idol” and “The Voice,” along with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Eureka and Shannel. The event will also highlight drag kings, local titleholders, and performers from Pride organizations throughout the state.
Lopez ensures that organizers worked to assure that the festival reflects on the diversity of LGBTQ+ community.
““We want to make sure to showcase everybody in the community,” he assured.
What Does This Event Means?
This event reflects on Albuquerque Pride’s continued growth and expanding across the state. The event highlighting not only local performers and title holders, they also invited titleholders and representatives from other organizations around the state to participate.
The goal is to create a festival that reflects in the diversity of New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community while strengthening connections among communities throughout the state.
The History of Pride Parade in Albuquerque
The tradition began in 1976 with a small group of marchers. 50 years later, it has grown into one of the New Mexico’s largest annual community events. Albuquerque Pride traces its roots to the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement that emerged after the Stonewall uprising in 1969 and has spent decades promoting education, advocacy, and visibility throughout the state.
Over the years, Albuquerque Pride has expanded from modest community gathering into a major festivals that draws thousands of participants. The organization’s mission remains focused on creating safe spaces, building community connections, and supporting advocacy efforts while celebrating the diversity of New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ population.
This June, let us celebrate the different colors of Pride. It is our pride to have them and it is their pride of showing who they truly are.