Albuquerque Pride board of directors with the New Mexico Pride 2022 titleholders in November 2021. (Photo from Albuquerque Pride’s Facebook)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) | Organizers of this year’s Albuquerque LGBTQ Pride festivities have decided not to let the city’s police department participate.
KOB-TV reports all but one member of the ABQ Pride Board approved a motion April 10 to prohibit police from having a parade float or a booth at Pride Fest.
Some cited the history of tensions between police and LGBTQ gatherings. But other members were unsure about ruling police out completely.
Bia Romero, board vice president, was open to talking about having police participate next year.
Board members also noted that the police did not send any representative to their meeting.
The Pride organization, which made the initial decision to not allow APD to participate in the parade and festival in January, held a formal board vote April 10. Posting to Facebook that evening, Albuquerque Pride wrote “This was not only based on the social climate of the country, but also based on relations between the LGBTQ+ community, the Black community, and our dealings with APD. We have reached out on several occasions in an attempt to open dialogue and give the community an opportunity to ask questions and demand accountability. APD’s silence has made it clear the department is not interested in open dialogue at this time.”
Chase Jewell, a police department community ambassador, told the TV station he was surprised by the decision. But he says the department respects the decision and will not “force ourselves” onto Pride events.
He was not able to attend the meeting but said he will be at next month’s to talk about public safety plans.
Albuquerque Pride will hold its Pride events June 10-11.
