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A&C
Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance’s Pride Month continues to grow as organizers look ahead
BY RILEY GARDNER riley@sfreporter.com
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An alarming number of anti-LGBT bills have been introduced across the country in 2022. There’s a fear of a national rollback, especially after a SCOTUS opinion leaked last month that would gut reproductive freedom and that telegraphs a larger assault on gay marriage and other rights. Meanwhile, state legislatures advocate for humiliating trans children to garner a few votes, and queer existence is being censored in Florida schools. In short? Clouds loom, and Pride in 2022 holds a different, cautious significance for those who know there’s a nasty fight ahead.
Kevin Bowen is president of the board for Santa Fe’s Human Rights Alliance (HRA), and lately he’s been looking back at the organization’s roots as the 30th anniversary approaches. Founded in 1993 as a local advocacy organization with dual goals in suicide prevention and AIDS/HIV activism, the HRA today runs Santa Fe Pride as a cornerstone of its local activities. And while Bowen wants to build on legacy and expand beyond the annual June-based gatherings, he doesn’t consider running Pride to be at all trivial.
“Pride...is the one thing that pulls the community together since it started,” Bowen tells SFR. “Having in-person community situations happen is instrumental in keeping the local community together. We can’t all go our separate ways. And now especially, with this legislation coming up all over the country, we have to remember Pride is a joy that needs to be maintained.”
Bowen says he envisions a future LGBTQ+ Community Center, plus addressing the lack of activism and social activities for queer Santa Feans who participated in HRA-conducted surveys. Naturally, Pride is growing along with these goals: 2022 features an LGBTQ+ walking tour of Santa Fe’s former and current queer landmarks, ranging from the La Fonda on the Plaza to the active local gay scene of the 1980s. There will be nights focused on BIPOC queer folks, plus an effort at getting resources to queer youths and allied parents. Additionally, a gathering at the convention center will discuss the queer community’s future in New Mexico and how it can build, plus, word on the street is Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is stopping by. Also, drag bingo? You bet there’s drag bingo coming up.
See below a list of HRA’s planned activities for June—and make sure you pick up SFR’s annual Pride issue, which drops on June 22.
2022 HRA June Pride Events
(Cut out and put on your fridge or something)
Disco Inferno! A Retro Dance Party:
7:30 pm-midnight, $15 pre-sale, $20 at door. The Mine Shaft Tavern, 2846 NM14, Madrid. tinyurl.com/2p8c563r
LGBTQ+ History Santa Fe Walking Tour:
Let’s Kick it Off: Pride Week Opening T-Dance:
Envisioning the Future: Creating an Empowered, Informed and Engaged LGBTQ+ Community for New Mexico:
1-5 pm Friday, June 24. Free. Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 Marcy St. Virtual options available: tinyurl.com/ykz8k7rc
Pride Parade and Drive:
Pride on the Plaza:
Pride Movie Night: CURED:
6 pm, Tuesday, June 21. $15-$25. Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Ave. (505) 466-5528
Drag Bingo:
7-9 pm, Thursday, June 23. $10. Opuntia, 1607 Alcaldesa St. (505) 780-5796
Summer Sizzle: PrideWomen’s Dance and Human Rights Alliance Benefit:
5-11 pm, Friday, June 24. $20. The Scottish Rite Temple, 430 Paseo de Peralta. tinyurl.com/2p895bbr
Diversity Rocks the Block/ Pride is in Our BloodBlock Party and Celebration:
3- 8 pm Saturday, June 25. Free. Burro Alley, 207 W San Francisco St.
