May 06th, 2019

PRIDE & Equality celebrates another year of Models of Hope. The Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope Award honors individuals and organizations making a difference, being seen as role models in the community. This award has created a roster of quality honorees over the past twelve years and we are honored to have this year’s nominees join the lineup. Take a look at who we will be honoring at a special brunch on August 25th.

Community Honoree, Neil Macernie, Albuquerque Pride
If you haven’t heard the name Neil Macernie in the LGBTQ community, you are in for a treat. Neil is the epitome of volunteerism. Macernie has been a major asset for Albuquerque Pride for years holding many titles including President and now Vice-President of Public Relations. His introduction into the community is pretty much what you would expect. He “started by getting a group of friends together to create a pride float.” When it came to his childhood, Neil found it difficult. “It was very challenging as a youth,” shared Macernie. “Because you were expected to express yourself a certain way as a boy and people were very mean if you did not.”

When it comes to his advice for LGBTQ youth, it’s simple, “Don't be afraid to express yourself,” says Macernie. “I know it feels like the people in your school life are important, but that's less than a quarter of your life, you have only just begun. Find friends that will stand by you and advocate for you.”

Community Honoree, Renato Estacio-Burdick, Sidewinders & Twist
How did you get involved with the LGBTQ community?
I got involved because of a friend or a need in the community for 25 years now!  In the 90s we served on leadership councils, led retreats, and emceed events. In 2011, our drag mother Martinique Toya-Bouvier, was recruiting for a softball tournament for the UCS, and a friend approached us to play on the team. We kept in contact with her for four years.  We joined the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus in 2014, finalizing their paperwork for their 501(c)3 status. We remained on the board until 2018. In 2015, my husband, Michael, and I we took over Sidewinders Bar with the idea of finding a space that would welcome all artists and members of our community. Since then, we have been involved with the local chapter of the International Court System, which we served as Crown Prince XXV and Imperial Crown Princet XXV (first known nonbinary title in the system). I was also Wild Rose to the New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association. Prior to that, I served the Nevada diocese for our church as evangelists for LGBTQ members and for music. We also did outreach through music programs - singing and performing for LGBTQ groups. There was a need for a safe space and opportunities for organizations to raise funds, hold socials, and connect with others in our community. So we opened a cabaret as part of our bar and we get to liaise with over 40 different groups, 250+ entertainers, and overseeing various aspects of roughly 300 events.

What was life like when you were a youth?
Emotionally, life had its ups and downs when we were younger!  We would be upset because of the inability to marry, no one would understand; there was lots of loneliness; however, there was one person in high school who was very “graceful” in his mannerisms, but we became competitive with each other, which was silly when you look back at it; we even competed to see who would date a certain “Sara.” We both turned out to be gay and out as adults! We were extremely artistic but also sporty, having run cross-country, being on our high school soccer for 4 years, and hurdling in track and field.  We weren't going to let anyone say “gay” or not good enough; our youth was spent being the best we could be. Our outlook wasn’t always positive, but no one knew that. On the inside, there was hurt. On the outside, there were smiles.

What piece of advice would you give today LGBTQ youth?
Life always gets better.  Look at where you want to be and do what you want for yourself to be the best person you can.  Don't try to control everything in life; some things can't be controlled. Don’t hate and don’t use spite to fuel your actions.  Love others, be kind, listen, and be understanding. Be a part of everything around you that helps you be the best you can be, serve the community, and help others judiciously - but don’t expect anything in return.  Be grateful and be mindful of those who came before you, and support those who come after you. Nurture good relationships, and never put yourself on a pedestal. We are all equal. We all need love and encouragement.  We are your family, and we are here to help you. Remember that united community members can better support each other and our future. Don’t jump on bandwagons that often cause hate and division in our community. Seek to understand and don’t always take action. Sometimes, no action is the best action after a wider lens is used. Be comfortable with who you are.  Don't let anyone define you.

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Community Honoree, Jax Sugars, TeeN’MPower
How did you get involved with the LGBTQ community?
I became involved with the LGBTQ community when I came out as transgender and started attending events at TGRCNM. Through them, they connected me to Planned Parenthood where I got a job leading the TEEN’MPower program and from there I became heavily involved in the community.


What was life like when you were a youth?
When I was a youth, LGB people were around and I knew a couple of them, but it wasn’t really talked about. Transgender people had low visibility and I didn’t know much about them or anyone who actively identified as trans, which was part of why I didn’t come out as trans until I was an adult. I didn’t see or know about anyone getting bullied for being LGBT, but I also kept to my small group of friends. Mostly, LGBT people were invisible and not talked about.

What piece of advice would you give today LGBTQ youth?
Advice I would give LGBTQ youth is to always be yourself. The right people will love and support you, and even if things are terrible right now, know that it does get better. It may not for a while and it may be a slow process, but it does get better. Never jeopardize your safety without a fallback plan, and only you know what’s best for yourself and what you need. You are strong and brave. Be true to yourself. You can do this.
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Community Business/ Organization Honoree, Casa Q
The mission of Casa Q is to provide safe living options and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, as well as allies, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Unlike emergency shelter programs, Casa Q provides residential and transitional living services in a home-like environment, complemented with comprehensive and individual case management.

When it comes to what piece of advice they would give to today’s youth, it truly follows why Models of Hope was created. “Find a mentor or role model in the broader LGBTQ community who you can relate and look up to. There are a lot of heroes in the international, national and local community who have done great work to earn our rights and freedoms. And if you grew up in a loving supportive home, reach out to someone who hasn’t. And if you lack that love and support, reach out to one of Albuquerque’s many youth-focused LGBTQ groups and find the support every person deserves. There’s a huge community of people waiting to help. Here’s a list: Gay Straight Alliances at most high schools, Common Bonds Under 21, UNM’s LGBTQ Resource Center, NM’Power, and, of course, Casa Q.

Purchase your tickets now to our honor brunch at http://www.myprideonline.com/models-of-hope.html