May-August 2026 - The Pride Issue: Featured Stories - The Return of Albuquerque Pride

As Albuquerque Pride celebrates its 50th anniversary, it represents far more than a number of years in the community. The organization is a story of survival, resilience, and the fight for visibility and equality within New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community. Leading the organization into this historic year is Raymond Sierra-Lopez, whose leadership helped stabilize Albuquerque Pride during one of its most challenging periods.

It started in 2024 when Sierra-Lopez took on leadership during a time of internal struggles. “What most people don’t know is Albuquerque PrideFest in 2024 was put on by only a handful of people,” he shared. “Our board president was out of state most of the year, so just a few members planned and executed the entire event.”

This intense pressure placed enormous strain on the organization. As a result, nearly every board member prepared their resignation following PrideFest. “At the end of PrideFest, I had the resignation of almost every board member in my hand,” Sierra-Lopez explained. “The only one I didn’t have was my husband, my ride or die, Leonidas.”

Amid this upheaval, Sierra-Lopez made a pivotal decision. He refused to let the organization dissolve. After briefly serving as acting president, he was elected at that year’s annual meeting. Next, he rebuilt the board with trusted community members. “I convinced those closest to me—people who I know have my back—to join the board, which they did. I’m so thankful for those people.”

With the board restructured, repairing relationships with organizations and community groups that felt excluded from Albuquerque Pride became a major priority. "Rebuilding has been one of the biggest challenges and has helped stabilize this organization," he said.

For Sierra-Lopez, overcoming challenges makes this 50th anniversary especially significant—it represents survival. Albuquerque Pride began in 1976, when just 25 people marched from Metropolitan Community Church down Central Avenue to what is now the UNM Library. “To have a Pride event that started only seven years after the start of the movement and to have that going strong today tells me that Albuquerque will stand the test of time. We have overcome so much. We have a community that is resilient and loud.”

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Albuquerque Pride’s title holder program. Sierra-Lopez says visibility is a powerful form of advocacy. “We are here. We are queer. We ain’t going nowhere,” he said. “Our communities—no matter race, gender, or creed—deserve representation.”

This belief in representation shows in this year’s diverse court. It includes people of color, Indigenous titleholders, Black representation, and youth titleholders. “Everybody deserves a seat at the table. Everyone deserves to feel loved and respected,” Sierra-Lopez shared.

Beyond representation, mentoring younger generations is also critical to Pride's future. “If I were not taught by my elder generation, I wouldn’t know how to do what I’m doing right now,” he explained. “The younger generations will bring change.”

For Sierra-Lopez, all of these efforts are meant to give hope to a community facing growing uncertainty. “People are hurting. People are scared of what’s to come,” he said. “I want to remind them that people are still out there fighting for them.”

Looking ahead, Sierra-Lopez shares that the organization’s future will depend on a collaborative effort. “I don’t do this alone,” he shared. “I have the support of every past president before me. I have the full support of my board.”

​During this 50th anniversary celebration, Sierra-Lopez wants the community to remember the reason why Pride exists. It’s more than a celebration. It is a history of protest, a promise, and an ongoing commitment that the LGBTQ+ community is visible, united, and resilient in the face of challenges.