Southern New Mexico and the Borderlands are, by their very nature, extremely diverse when it comes to community and the people who create it. Embracing the LGBTQ community, and making it part of that diverse landscape, are a source of pride in Las Cruces, where Southern New Mexico Pride has been held every year since 1990.
Unlike most Pride celebrations, however, the focus is on connecting that community to the larger picture, by embracing non-profits and local resources, rather than corporate influences. Find out what makes Southern New Mexico Pride such a welcome addition to our area, with a week-long celebration from Wednesday, September 27 – Sunday, October 8, 2023.
Slate of Events
- Wednesday, Sept. 27
- Pride Rainbow Drinks, Salud! De Mesilla, 1800 Avenida de Mesilla, 1800 Avenida de Mesilla, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 30
- Drag Queen Alfresco Pride Kick-Off, Salud! De Mesilla. Ivonna Bump hosts the drag show. Seating begins at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m. $10.
- Sunday, Oct. 1
- Pride Family Picnic, Preciado Park on Gregg Street on the New Mexico State University campus, sponsored by PFLAG Las Cruces, GLSEN and NMSU LGBTQ+ Programs. 11 a.m.;
- Pride Movie Night, Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main St., PFLAG Las Cruces and Thomas Branigan Memorial Library present the movie “Mama Bears.” Doors open at 5 p.m., movie is at 6 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 2
- Pride GAYme Night, RAD Retrocade, 201 N. Main St. 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 3
- Singing Out Las Cruces Sing Along, Center for Spiritual Living, 575 N. Main St. Tunes will include “We Are Family,” “Born This Way” and “We Belong.” The event will include musical trivia with prizes awarded. 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 5
- Pride Karaoke, Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery, 119 N. Main St. 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 7
- 2023 Pride Parade, begins at 4 p.m. at Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St., and travels around the downtown area;
- 2023 Pride on the Plaza, on Plaza de Las Cruces. 5 – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 8
- Pride Drag Brunch, the Bean at Josefina’s, 2261 Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla. The drag show starts at noon.
If you can’t make any of the lead-up events, be sure to attend the big blowout at the Plaza de Las Cruces on Saturday, October 7, which begins with the first-ever Las Cruces Pride Parade at 4 p.m., sponsored by FYI+. This year’s theme is “United in Diversity.” Directly following the parade, from 5 – 10 p.m., the Plaza comes alive with Pride on the Plaza, a wonderful evening filled with live entertainment, over 55 vendor and information booths, activities for the kids, food and refreshments, and, of course, a colorful array of celebrants putting it all out there in the name of diversity.
Some of the highlights of this year’s Pride event are the presence of the NMSU Astronomy Department, Virgin Galactic, the New Mexico Department of Health, ACLUNM, NMSU programs, and the Las Cruces Police Department. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Get to know your LGBTQ neighbors by celebrating Pride with a full array of events geared toward a welcoming atmosphere of inclusivity. For more information about Southern New Mexico Pride, visit the website.
Posted by LasCruces.com
