Three local creatives share what’s coming up in Albuquerque New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ communities of color and what’s going down during June Pride Month.
In honor of Pride month, NMBLC talked to three local creatives about what PRIDE means to LGBTQ+ communities of color. “How Our BlaQ Pride Shows” first appeared in the May/June 2023 edition of NMBLC’s monthly newspaper, the UpLift Chronicles. For more great articles about the people, places, and happenings of Albuquerque’s Black communities, subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles.
The following piece was written by Sean Cardinalli.
How Our BlaQ Pride Shows – What does PRIDE mean to queer folks of color in New Mexico?
Below, some proud local creatives share on what’s coming up for themselves and what’s going down during June Pride Month…
J Gourdin, Multihyphenate Creative & UNM Advisor
“Joy is so real and powerful. I want to bring attention to the ways queer community finds motivation to keep sharing our light. In the face of so much vitriol about how people live their lives, queer people find each other and affirm the differences other communities cast shade on.”
“I have the pleasure of advising the newly-chartered student organization at UNM, True Colors… bringing together Black queers to create refuge from stigma and judgement. True Colors imparts lessons of communal responsibility and challenges preconceived ideas of a solely cis-heterosexual Blackness. It is pivotal that Black queer and trans students be represented as a student organization of African American Student Services to reflect the ‘invisible’ tether that connects some of UNM’s brightest students.”
Dyonne Dahl, Drag Artist & Performance Art Curator
“I would like to highlight how our community came together to support and attend the first all-Black cast show, [called] The Chocolate Factory, at the Albuquerque Social Club. The energy and enthusiasm I felt at that show was like no other.”
“LGBTQ+ are getting represented and having safe spaces to go. I still think we need to focus on expanding that welcome and not focus solely on the L and G in our community as much. There are a lot of letters under our flag, and all of them need equal representation and to feel welcome. It’s [also] nice to know that we are living in a state that is a safe haven not only for our LGBTQ+ community but also for women’s rights.”
Avery Martini, Drag Artist & Black/Queer Businessowner
“[I’m celebrating that] we are no longer waiting for brands or businesses to lead the fight or organize our events for us. There is a fire in ourselves to provide the visibility we deserve.”
“Thankfully, because of organizations in New Mexico like Equality New Mexico, Transgender Resource Center, and MPower with Planned Parenthood, we are one of the states that loves, affirms, and protects everyone including our queer and trans siblings! There are bills such as HB 207 being signed into law that will be the most expansive LGBTQIA protections in the nation. To see many of our allies stepping up to support us is extremely beneficial! I encourage everyone to continue to utilize their voices, speak with passion, move with purpose, and VOTE. Every voice matters and [whether] you’re a drag fan, a friend or family member to a queer individual, or a stranger to the cause, please speak up and show out!”
“I encourage everyone to continue to utilize their voices, speak with passion, move with purpose, and VOTE.”
— Avery Martini, Drag Artist & Black/Queer Businessowner
Plan your Pride celebration and visit ABQ Pridefest 2023: http://www.abqpride.com
Check out upcoming events at the Albuquerque Social Club: https://abqsocial.org/
Read more about Bill HB 207, signed into law by Governor Lujan Grisham:
HB 207 on NM Legislature: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=H&LegType=B&LegNo=207&year=23
NM Political Report: https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2023/03/15/bill-to-protect-lgbtq-individuals-from-discrimination-heads-to-guv-desk/
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Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog