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 Saturday, September 24 – Sunday, October 2, 2022.
Pride week officially begins with a Pride Kick-Off Drag Show, this year at Salud de Mesilla, on Saturday, September 24, 7 p.m. Ivonna Bump is the Mistress of Ceremonies, setting the stage for several events throughout the week. Included in that line-up are:
- Pride in the Park, a family-friendly picnic in Young Park on Sunday, September 25
- Gayme Night at Rad Retrocade, Monday, September 26, 7 p.m.
- Drag Loteria with Ivonna Bump at The Boneyard, Tuesday, September 27, 7 p.m.
- Pride Rainbow Drinks at Salud de Mesilla, Wednesday, September 28, 6 p.m.
- Drag Karaoke at Little Toad Creek Brewery, Thursday, September 29, 7 p.m.
- Pride Movie at the Rio Grande Theatre, Friday, September 30, 7 p.m.
All of which lead up to the big blowout at the Plaza de Las Cruces on Saturday, October 1, which begins with the Las Cruces Pride March at 4:30 p.m., sending a message of hope and good cheer to the community at large. Directly following the march, from 5 – 10 p.m., the Plaza comes alive with a wonderful evening filled with live entertainment, over 50 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. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Two more events follow on Sunday, October 2, to close out the week. The first is a Pride Brunch at Salud de Mesilla, starting at noon, followed by the Pride Closing Happy Hour, at Vintage Wines, beginning at 3 p.m.
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
