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Albuquerque Pride reminds community of its protest roots

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland stands with fellow community members during Albuquerque’s Pride Memorial Candlelight Vigil at Morningside Park on Thursday.

Leo Porras holds a candle in memory of his mother, April Gonzales, during Albuquerque’s Pride Memorial Candlelight Vigil at Morningside Park on Thursday.

People gather and listen to speakers at Albuquerque’s Pride Memorial Candlelight Vigil at Morningside Park on Thursday. The annual event takes place at the site of Albuquerque’s first Pride event and honors the tradition of remembering loved ones who have died.

Avery Martini, dressed as Elphaba from “Wicked,” on the LGBTQIA+ Caucus of the Democratic Party of New Mexico float during the Albuquerque Pride Parade on Central Avenue on Saturday.

Drag queen Vanessa Patricks, dressed as Glenda from "Wicked," rides a float during the Albuquerque Pride Parade on Saturday.

James Salazar marches down Central Avenue during the Pride Parade on Saturday.

Kylee Howard Kylee Howard Kylee Howard Journal Staff Writer

Published June 8, 2025 - 8:01 a.m. Modified June 8, 2025 - 8:04 a.m.

Thousands packed in between Route 66 and storefronts Saturday as rainbow-adorned trucks and floats carried drag performers, dancers and DJs as they tossed candy and sprayed water on the crowd.

Couples with their dogs, some clad in festive rainbow collars or booties, children, or just friends and families showed support for the LGBTQ+ community with cheers and dancing.

The temperatures in Albuquerque rose into the 90s as the city’s 49th Pride Parade kicked off down Central Avenue with a colorful line of floats and marchers — culminating in a celebration at Civic Plaza.

“Being prideful goes back to the Stonewall Riots... and this is just a peace end to what those riots came to,” said Juan Enrique, who has attended every parade since they were 14. “We’re about loving one another and accepting no matter what you are.”

Along with the parade, Albuquerque Pride hosted three events during the first week of Pride Month. On Thursday, dozens gathered for a vigil in Morningside Park, the site of Albuquerque’s first pride event, to remember those loved ones who have been lost.

For its 49th anniversary, Albuquerque Pride switched PrideFest venues from the Balloon Fiesta Park to Civic Plaza. The move was partially to open the event to more attendees with a bigger venue, more shading and access to public transportation, but also to celebrate on the steps of City Hall.

“It’s amazing that we are right here in the city center, where our community is supporting all of us for existing today and every day,” said drag performer Miss Vanessa Patricks during opening remarks.

This year’s Pride Month comes as the Trump administration takes action to target the LGBTQ+ community, like including executive orders that ban transgender people from joining the military and competing in college sports as well as an effort to expel diversity, equity and inclusion from the federal government. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking almost 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the nation, including several in New Mexico. None of the seven proposed bills passed before the end of the legislative session in March.

“We must return to our roots, of grassroots activism, of direct action, of taking our future into our own hands,” Raymond Sierra-Lopez, Albuquerque Pride board president, said during a speech at the event. “We cannot wait for institutions or politicians to save us. We must save ourselves, and that starts with building community.”

The Albuquerque Pride parade is the second-longest running parade in the city, Sierra-Lopez said. It began in 1976 when 25 people marched from the Metropolitan Community Church of Albuquerque to Yale Park, which is now part of the University of New Mexico.

“We cannot go to sleep right now. This is not the time,” Patricks said. “It is important for all of us (to) continue to show up in this broad daylight, be yourselves and let your freak flag show.”