News release provided by Eastern New Mexico Rising.
Eastern New Mexico Rising has announced the slate of events for Pride Week 2023. All events will be held during the week of June 18-25 in Clovis or Portales and are open to the public. “There is truly something for everyone throughout our Pride 2023 celebrations,” stated Eastern New Mexico Rising co-founder Laura Wight.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. LGBTQ+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Local Pride 2023 celebrations open with ‘Chalk it Up to Pride!’ a free family-friendly event to chalk messages of love, pride and acceptance on public sidewalks in downtown Clovis (meet in front of the Public Library) and Portales (meet in front of the Do Drop In). This event takes place at 3pm in both locations and chalk will be provided.
‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ will be held Wednesday, June 21 at 6pm at the Clovis Youth Recreation Building (YRB) at 1504 East 7th Street. This event is free, family-friendly for all ages and promises to be magical and fun! Beautiful Queens will read several children’s books and refreshments will be provided.
A ‘Color Me Queer’ paint party will be held at 6:30pm on Thursday, June 22 at Just Kiln Me Now in Clovis. Cost to participate in this event is $26 and includes everything needed to paint a beautiful desert pride-themed piece. Tickets may be purchased online or in person via Just Kiln Me Now.
Portales is the focus for Friday’s events. At 5pm a ‘Pride Solidarity March’ will take place. The march will begin at the Roosevelt County Courthouse Square and end at the ENMU Campus. All are encouraged to join and no registration is necessary. Following the solidarity march, at 7pm, ‘Big Gay Movie Night’ will be held upstairs at AJ’s Wings, 107 W. 2nd St., to view feature film ‘Love, Simon’. This event is free and popcorn will be provided.
Pride events return to Clovis Saturday June 24 with a full day of fun activities. The Pride Parade will take place on Main Street in Clovis at 10am. Individuals, groups and businesses interested in participating in the parade (free to participate) should complete the parade registration form online at: enmrising.org/pride.
Following the Pride Parade on Saturday, a family Pridefest will be held at Hillcrest Park across from the splash pad from Noon-4pm. This event is free and will feature craft, food and informational vendors, entertainment and activities for the whole family.
Saturday evening, ‘Drag on Main’ a dazzling drag show and DJ will be held at Red Door Brewery Levine’s Garden at 414 N. Main Street in Clovis at 7pm. The cover charge for this event is $5 with a portion of the profit to be donated to a local charitable organization.
Pride Week 2023 concludes on Sunday, June 25 at ‘Brunch with Queens’ an 18+ drag brunch show being held at the Do Drop In in Portales at 11am. This is a ticketed event ($25/ticket) and a limited number of tickets are still available.
Clovis resident and Pride 2023 Steering Committee member Sarah Hartzell stated. “Pride 2023 will be my first pride! Because of COVID and not many pride events occurring in this area in the past, I haven’t had the opportunity to attend anything. I’m really glad this is planned, I can’t wait!”
Pride Week 2023 attendees are encouraged to follow Eastern New Mexico Rising on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and announcements as well as visiting https://enmrising.org/pride.
For more information, please contact Eastern New Mexico Rising at enmrising@gmail.com or call 575-530-0130.
