May-August 2026: The Pride Issue: Feature Stories - Models of Hope 2026

For two decades, PRIDE & Equality Magazine’s Models of Hope Awards has stood as a beacon of recognition, resilience, and community pride across New Mexico. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event honors not only this year’s remarkable recipients but also a legacy built on visibility, advocacy, and the unwavering belief that representation changes lives.

Founded to spotlight individuals who embody courage, compassion, and leadership within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, Models of Hope has grown into one of the state’s most meaningful celebrations of service and impact. Over the years, the awards have recognized activists, artists, educators, healthcare professionals, youth leaders, allies, and everyday heroes whose work has strengthened the fabric of our communities.

This milestone year invites us to reflect on how far we have come — and to recommit to the work that still lies ahead. At its heart, Models of Hope is about honoring those who light the way for others, often quietly and without expectation of recognition.
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In this special anniversary year, we proudly celebrate three extraordinary individuals whose contributions continue to inspire hope for the future.

Community Honoree: Raymond Sierra-Lopez (Sativa Rico-Stratton)
For Raymond Sierra-Lopez, Pride has always been more than a celebration—it’s been a call to action. At just 13 years old, attending his first Albuquerque PrideFest, he experienced a sense of belonging that would shape his future. Surrounded by community, history, and voices speaking out for equality, he recalls it as the moment “the activist inside me was born.”

That early spark grew into years of dedicated service. From volunteering with Equality New Mexico to becoming deeply involved with the Imperial Sovereign Court of New Mexico, Sierra-Lopez has consistently shown up for his community. Alongside his husband, he campaigned and was elected Emperor, raising over $53,000 in a single year. His leadership continued through board service and eventually led him to his current role as President of Albuquerque Pride—one he describes as both an honor and a challenge.

Growing up, however, was not without difficulty. Like many LGBTQ youth, he struggled with fear and acceptance, often feeling the need to hide who he was. That experience fuels his commitment today: to create spaces where others feel safe, seen, and supported.

​His advice to today’s LGBTQ youth is rooted in history and unity. He encourages young people to learn from their elders and honor those who paved the way. “The fight must continue,” he shares, reminding us that while challenges evolve, the need for solidarity remains constant.

For Sierra-Lopez, community is everything—and through his work, he continues to ensure that Pride remains both a celebration and a movement.

Community Honoree: Missy Venture
When it comes to what creates a community, Missy Venture believes community is built through connection, compassion, and a commitment to lifting others up. While she has always been part of the LGBTQ community, it was about 15 years ago that she felt a deeper calling to become actively involved. What began as support for friends quickly grew into a passion for advocacy and service.

Through organizations such as Albuquerque Pride, the Imperial Sovereign Court of New Mexico, and local burlesque productions, Venture has helped raise funds for vital community resources including TGRC, CasaQ, and Teen MPower. Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly helping to preserve the Albuquerque Social Club, highlights her dedication to protecting spaces that serve as lifelines for many.

Her journey was shaped by a pivotal moment in her youth during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era. What she once believed to be a society moving forward revealed itself to still hold deep-rooted prejudice. That realization became a turning point. “I vowed I would never stop fighting for the right thing, no matter how unpopular it may be,” she shares.

Venture’s message to today’s LGBTQ youth is one of empowerment and self-worth. She encourages them to live authentically and unapologetically, reminding them that their identity does not limit their potential. “You are a beacon of light; never give anyone the power to try and dim that light,” she says.

​Through her work and her words, Missy Venture continues to embody the spirit of community—ensuring no one feels alone.

Community Business / Organization Honoree: The New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus
Now in our 45th Season, the New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus (NMGMC) is one of New Mexico's longest-running LGBTQ+ arts organizations. Our mission is to foster inclusive community through music — celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity, challenging stereotypes, and advancing equality. We believe music is not merely entertainment; it is a force for social change and healing. Research confirms what our community has long known: the arts save lives.

Our commitment to LGBTQ+ artistic expression extends beyond our own stage. Last season, NMGMC provided financial support to two significant community productions centered on LGBTQ+ stories: Musical Theatre Southwest's production of Bare: A Pop Opera — a powerful coming-of-age story exploring identity, faith, and self-acceptance — and Opera Southwest's production of Before Night Falls, based on the memoir of Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, who survived persecution for his identity and his art. By investing in these productions, we signal that our mission is not limited to what we perform ourselves, but extends to cultivating a broader ecosystem where LGBTQ+ stories are told, funded, and celebrated across New Mexico's performing arts community.

For NMGMC, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not organizational policies — they are our origin story. NMGMC was founded as an act of resistance and belonging at a time when LGBTQ+ people were excluded from public life, cultural institutions, and even their own families. Forty-five years later, that founding purpose shapes every decision we make: who we invite to sing, who we invite to lead, who we gather with, and who we partner with.

Our recent collaborations with the Albuquerque Civic Chorus, Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra, New Mexico Peace Choir, and New Mexico Women's Chorus are inclusion in practice. When an LGBTQ+ organization shares a stage as an equal partner with established institutions, we send a clear message: queer artists belong at the center of New Mexico's cultural life. These partnerships also model inclusion for our audiences — demonstrating that communities with different identities can create together what none could create alone. 
When we harmonize with voices different from our own, we practice the very thing our world most needs: the willingness to listen, to make space, and to discover that we are stronger together than apart. Every note we share across these ensembles is a small declaration that the chosen family need not be small. It can be as wide as a concert hall, as open as a desert sky.

The Models of Hope Awards is more than an evening of recognition — it is a celebration of resilience, unity, and forward momentum. Guests will enjoy an inspiring program honoring this year’s recipients, community networking, and a shared commitment to advancing equality in New Mexico. We invite you to join us in celebrating these remarkable leaders and supporting the continued work of PRIDE & Equality Magazine. Together, we honor those who light the way — and we recommit ourselves to carrying that light forward. Tickets are available now at myprideonline.com/moh