Santa Fe Goes Gay This Summer

This summer, Santa Fe plays host to Santa Fe Pride Festival and Zia Regional Rodeo-two events designed to celebrate the LGBT community in "The City Different."

The Santa Fe Pride Festival happens June 27 and includes a parade, information and networking booths, live entertainment and an art show and sale featuring work that reflects the LGBT community. The festival, hosted by the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance, begins at noon following the Gay Pride Parade at 11:00 a.m. The Parade itself culminates at the Santa Fe Plaza, where the festival is held. International singing sensation Janice Robinson will headline Santa Fe Pride on the Plaza, which includes a variety of musical performances. The event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to wear rainbow attire.

On August 15, cowboys will come together to compete at the 24th Annual Zia Regional Rodeo for a weekend of events including bull riding and roping competitions, steer decorating, a wild drag race and goat dressing. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is hosted by the New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association (NMGRA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the western lifestyle within the gay community. Previous beneficiaries of the event have included New Mexico AIDS Services, New Mexico Domestic Violence Hotline and People of Color AIDS Foundation, among others. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and children under 12 are free.

Santa Fe is an all-welcoming destination known for rich heritage, renowned cuisine and thriving arts and culture. "The City Different" has long shared an open-minded spirit to visitors and locals alike with diverse interests and different backgrounds. The Santa Fe City Council gained international attention in 2013, for example, when it passed a resolution supporting marriage equality for gays in New Mexico. Santa Fe ranks in the top ten cities with same-sex households and it's not uncommon to see same-sex couples throughout the year enjoying 300 days of sunshine and breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.

For a list with over 15 Santa Fe Travel Alternative Group (TAG)-Approved hotels and additional information on Santa Fe as a gay-friendly destination, please visit Tourism Santa Fe online: http://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/GLBTQ_Travel/index.html.