ABQ Times

A month dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community has officially commenced at The University of New Mexico’s campus.

The festivities began on June 3 at UNM’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center with a Pride Brunch. "It's a time for us to celebrate that fact we are here and also to celebrate that we have done so much, but we still have so much more to go," said Frankie Flores, director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center. "It's also a time for us to honor that we have lived another year."

While many Pride events used to occur off-campus, since last year, numerous celebrations now take place at UNM. "We want to remind people, we're not just out and proud on the streets, we're out and proud here on UNM," Flores stated.

Flores highlighted that it all began on June 28, 1969, when many LGBTQ+ community members and people of color resisted police brutality and queer-phobia at the Stonewall Inn. Although the rebellion lasted several days, its impact is enduring. "We celebrate Pride in June to commemorate the struggles, not just of Stonewall but also like Compton's Cafeteria riot, which happened in 1966," Flores added.

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center will be hosting events throughout the month:

- Pride Parade Tailgate: Saturday, June 8 @ 10 a.m. along Central Ave.

- UNMH Paletas 4 Pride: Wednesday, June 12

- Sandoval Paletas 4 Pride: Thursday, June 13

- NM United Game: Saturday, June 22 @ Isotopes Park 7 p.m.

- UNM Open Safe Zone: Wednesday, June 26

- Closing Block Party: Friday, June 28 @ the Resource Center

For more information on times and locations, visit the LGBTQ+ Resource Center's website or their Instagram page.