1976 Juniper and Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) stage Albuquerque’s first Gay Pride Parade in commemoration of the events at Stonewall, titled “Christopher Street Celebration.”The hastily organized parade draws 25 individuals who march for several blocks along Central, drawing little public attention and no notice in the local media. 1977 Response to the 100 marchers in Albuquerque’s second Gay Pride march varies from raised thumbs to hurled eggs. Afterwards, a rally is held at the Morningside Park where Grand Marshal Harry Hay, founder of the Mattachine Society, speaks. 1978 The Gay Co-op becomes incorporated and starts seeking nonprofit status. The name changes to GALA (Gays & Lesbians of Albuquerque, Inc.) and then to GLCAA (Gay & Lesbian Community Association of Albuquerque).Gilbert Baker creates the rainbow flag, an international symbol of the GLBT community. The original gay-pride flag is hand-dyed by Baker. It first flies in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978. 1979 Current version of the rainbow flag is adopted–it has six stripes.The "White Night Riots" rage in San Francisco based on the Harvey Milk/George Moscone murder trial decision. Defendant Dan White gets a minimal sentence, thanks to his “twinkie” defense. On Oct.14, the first March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights draws between 100,000 and 200,000 marchers. 1980 The Human Rights Coalition is founded. Deaths in the United States from AIDS, although it is not called that at the time, reach 31. The third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) is published–homosexuality is no longer listed as a disorder. 1981 The Brash Ensemble is founded by Alan Stringer, later becoming the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus.WIMIN is founded after a group of women are thrown out of Corky’s for complaining about watered-down drinks. Hijos del Sol formalize under Common Bond. The men’s-only social club later becomes New Mexico Outdoors. 1982 The first Gay Games are held in San Francisco with over 1,000 participants from a dozen countries. The term AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is used for the first time on July 27. Gay Pride Week becomes the Albuquerque GLBT community’s premier event. 1983 The Albuquerque Social Club opens its doors. David Kopay, the first out NFL player, serves as Grand Marshal to the parade. Rep. Gerry Studds, a congressman from Massachusetts from 1973 to 1996, becomes the first openly gay member of the U.S. Congress. 1984 The Wall Street Journal gives writers permission to start using the word "gay" instead of "homosexual."Berkeley, Calif., becomes the first city in the United States to provide domestic partner benefits to city employees. First-ever public service announcement about GLBT happenings in Albuquerque is a 30-second spot on Channel 4 about the parade. 1985 Foxes Lounge opens. On Sept. 17, President Ronald Reagan finally mentions AIDS in public for the first time.Ryan White, an Indiana boy with hemophilia and AIDS, is barred from attending public school. 1986 A US Supreme Court ruling upholds a Georgia "anti-sodomy” law. This ruling is directly overturned 17 years later in 2003. Albuquerque Pride logo created, called the New Mexico Gay Fiesta 1986.New Mexico Gay Rodeo starts. 1987 A history of AIDS, And the Band Played On , by Randy Shiltis is published.Formation of the Lambda Car Club.Pride art show begins with art work highlighting Harmony Hammond. 1988 First Santa Fe Pride event.Albuquerque Pride gathering is called "Desert Dynamite," later to become "Pridefest." 1989 Russel Gray, founder of Common Bond (Albuquerque’s oldest GLBT community center), dies from AIDS. 1990 The ACLU announces it will seek to legalize same-sex marriage. Gay and Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is formed. The Normal Heart , a GLBT newsletter, is first published in New Mexico. 1991 The red ribbon for AIDS awareness is created. The Minnesota Star Tribune is the first major newspaper to print same-sex union announcements. "Pridefest" is coined as the name of the social gathering after the parade. 1993 A record 22 entries featured in the parade.The Royal Imperial Sovereign Court of the Land of Enchantment (RISCLEE), a local drag pageant group, begins. 1994 Pridefest takes place in Morningside Park, the birthplace of Albuquerque Pride. 1995 The Pride Parade moves from Common Bond/Sisters & Brothers to Spanish Village at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. 1996 Pride leaves the auspices of Common Bond and becomes Albuquerque Gay & Lesbian Parade and Pridefest as an incorporated business. Neil Isbin, gay rights activist, cofounder of New Mexico Gay Political Alliance, which eventually evolves into EQNM, and founder of the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, dies. 1997 First-ever Miss Pride Albuquerque pageant. Martinique Bouvier is selected as Miss Gay Pride and an Honored Dignitary at Pridefest.Winning Pride logo designs and parade entries are awarded for the first time. 1999 This year marks the 30 th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion.Honored Dignitaries include departed hate crime victims. 2006 1983 Grand Marshal David Kopay returns, now as the Gay Games Ambassador.Honored Dignitaries include the Metropolitan Community Church, Albuquerque; Virginia Stephenson, Equality New Mexico (EQNM); Raymond Sandoval, artist; and Martha Doster, Martha’s Body Bueno.
Albuquerque Pride Time Line
From Albuquerque Pride's "30 Days To 30 Years" Pride Cards (Available At Pridefest 2006)
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