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Celebrating our LGBTQ+ community often gets distilled into one day, one parade and one PrideFest, even though Pride Month is — well — a whole month. We here at The Paper. wanted to make sure to keep the celebration going by highlighting some community members. We sent questions to those community members and below are their answers.
Do you want to share your story? Drop us a line at editor@abq.news.
Kathy Hash (she / her / hers)
Title/position: Owner / Agent
Organization: Escape Travel USA
Tell us a little about yourself.
I opened in 2018 because I love to travel and help others make their dreams come true as well. Everyone deserves a great vacation and support for where they travel and make memories to last a lifetime.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
My daughter is gay as well as many of my friends. I think everyone has their right to live their life and love who they want. We need to respect people for just being good humans, regardless of anything else. Lend a hand. I love supporting the community and helping where I can. I love to see the support for our community from so many different types of people and feel like we should keep working on making sure everyone has a safe and loving place.
What are some of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community?
I think it’s the support that is offered in Albuquerque. I was part of the OUT Chamber for quite awhile and know they offer all types of help and support, as well as many other local organizations. I love that so many from the community give back in some way. Helping others, donating and helping to work on legislation as well.
What can community allies do to show more support?
Banners, signs, donate, give back, show that you serve every type of person and that you will stand up for that.
What’s something most people might be surprised to learn about you?
I put on a good front but really am not all that sure of myself anymore. I love techno and love to dance!
Shanon Jaramillo (she / her / hers)
Title/position: Chief Empowerment Officer
Organization: SeedCrest, Inc.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hello! I’m a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in recruiting and licensing across various industries nationwide. Originally from New Mexico, I’ve lived in nine states and spent time abroad. I’ve dedicated my career to helping professionals secure jobs and start businesses. In 2017 I founded SeedCrest, Inc., a Woman, Latina, Native, LGBTQ+ recruitment and training company. We pioneered New Mexico’s first workforce education and certification programs and developed a unique training and workforce tracking software used statewide. Our curriculum, designed in collaboration with state regulations and top colleges, serves many of New Mexico’s leading cannabis businesses. I’m passionate about the future and eager to help more people achieve their professional goals!
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, especially as a Latina, means embracing my identity with pride and standing up for equality and representation. It’s about fostering a sense of belonging and paving the way for future generations to thrive without fear or prejudice. Pride is a testament to our collective strength and an affirmation of our right to live authentically and unapologetically.
What are some of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community? Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community is diverse and there are a lot of places where people can be themselves while enjoying our culture and food. Albuquerque is ranked as the Nation’s LGBTQ+ friendly and safe place to live according to the National Human Rights Campaign for LGBTQ+ inclusivity! I am proud of our community where nondiscrimination laws, employee benefits, services, programs, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality exist for those who identify.
What can community allies do to show more support?
Community allies can be a force for amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and support for businesses. Create more funding and business resources for LGBTQ+ founded companies, and provide more upscale spaces for professionals to gather and network.
What’s something most people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am fluent in Spanish and my nephews call me “Nina” for Madrina or Godmother in Spanish.
pamm meyers (she / her / hers)
Title/position: CEO
Organization: pamm meyers Social Media and Two Flower Productions
Tell us a little about yourself.
I believe in giving back to our community, in any way one can, is important. I host 3Q, New Mexico’s Business and Nonprofit Podcast and Lip Service, a podcast of Our Coming Out Stories.
Both podcasts are under the nonprofit umbrella of Two Flower Productions. 3Q, which launched in 2020, provides New Mexico business owners with an opportunity to share what they do and talk about events they want to promote. Lip Service, which launched Valentine’s Day 2022, has subscribers in 39 counties and was created to record the Coming Out Stories of the LGBTQ+ community, to help create awareness and empathy for our community and to support those that are still struggling, to know they are not alone.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
We are queer 365 but Pride Month does provide a focused time of the year, like Easter or Hanukkah, to celebrate the resilience of our community. We walk in the footsteps created at Stonewall in June of 1969. We have made great progress with human rights and LGBTQ rights. I am proud that we live in the most protected state, on paper, for our LGBTQ+ community. But we all know how quickly our rights can be taken away. So we celebrate love, diversity, kindness, and the power of Queer Pride during Pride Month.
What are some of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community?
We have a fantastic Queer community here in Albuquerque. There are multiple drag shows every week. Queer people are protected here, as much as we can be.
You don’t have to file a notice in the paper to change your name now, this is important, not just to queer people but to abused women trying to remain protected.
We have a bathroom bill that says anyone can use a public single-stall bathroom and not risk persecution, just like you would use your bathroom at home, imagine that!
We have a vibrant and beautiful queer community that is celebrated with queer happy hours like Friends of Dorothy, hosted by Lucas Romero and Luke Rogers and New Mexico Hot Flash Women’s Dance, hosted by Kathy Kunda and Kathy Barber, and important organizations like Equality New Mexico, the Transgender Resource Center, the Pride Circle with the Albuquerque Community Foundation and Albuquerque Pride.
We have many local and state-wide representatives that are queer. That is a lot to celebrate. Here is a link for additional information on the protections of the LGBTQ+ community in New Mexico.
What can community allies do to show more support?
Most of the organizations that work for the protection of our queer community rely on donations and the groups that organize events all do it on their own. We are all nonprofits and rely on the support of the entire community in our area, not just the LGBTQ+ community. We are less than 5% of the population. We are a small group here and we need the support of our allies to retain a great community.
I recently attended a Juneteenth event in Santa Fe where the Grandmother of Juneteenth, 97-year-old Dr. Opal Lee, talked about the value of unity for all. We can not sustain a vibrant community individually, it takes a village.
What’s something most people might be surprised to learn about you? I share lots of information on events around town. People think I am so busy attending all these events and I do attend quite a few but like all extroverts it is important to carve out alone time and unplug. I relish my alone time with my five dogs in quiet Placitas. That said, hosting two podcasts, running a digital marketing company, and volunteering for Equality New Mexico as well as the Human Rights Alliance of Santa Fe, take a fair amount of time, particularly during Pride Month.
Jakey Onassis (she / her / they / them)
Title/position: The First Lady of Albuquerque
Organization: Off Broadway Vintage Clothing And Costumes
Tell us a little about yourself.
Born and raised here in the Duke City. I’ve often felt like a rose that has come through the concrete. There have been some roadblocks to become Jakey Onassis, but here I am. When I’m not out at a local restaurant, art show or concert I’m at home snuggled up on the couch reading The Paper. (Editor’s Note: Awww shucks)
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride month is a very special time of year, it’s the time not only to receive love and acceptance but to be loving, accepting and free.
What are some of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community?
I see such a strong sense of community, love and support for one another here in Albuquerque. I also love to see all the creativity the community brings to Albuquerque.
What can community allies do to show more support?
I have seen such a positive change in how far the LGBTQ+ community has come, even in the past few years. We couldn’t have done it without help from our allies. Keep speaking up, keep asking questions, and keep spreading love and support.
What’s something most people might be surprised to learn about you?
I may seem really extroverted, but I am actually really shy, but I push through that.
T. Michael Trimm (he / him / his / sir)
Title/position: Executive Director
Organization: Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico (TGRCNM)
Tell us a little about yourself.
I joined TGRCNM in November 2020 as director of operations and was promoted in February 2022 to executive director of Services & Administration. Originally from Ohio (and with eight siblings!), I now call the Southwest region home and sought the opportunity to join the center to be part of uplifting, encouraging, and empowering transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride month is an additional opportunity for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them to publicly express their love, support and affirmation of all of who they are, including identities that are LGBTQ and more. Pride, for me, is done all year long, and the month of June is an opportunity to be a little extra.
What are some of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community?
One of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community is the diversity in experience, mindset, values and beliefs. This community is not a monolith and there is a richness found in every person who makes up the robust community.
What can community allies do to show more support?
Allies should strive to be active accomplices when supporting LGBTQ+ people. While support looks different for everyone, active accomplices are people who physically show up to support people, events, and organizations doing good for and with the community, donating financially when possible to community based LGBTQ+ causes, volunteering their time and/or talent, voting their values in every election, and treating others in a kind, compassionate manner.
What’s something most people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a huge fan of Batman and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Chris Wright-Garcia (they / them)
Title/position: Founder / CEO
Organization: LeatherDaddy Skin Co.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am the Non Binary founder of LeatherDaddy Skin Co., a plant-based skincare company that blends sensuality with high-quality, natural ingredients. Launched after losing my serving job to the pandemic, my mission is to create products that not only nurture the skin but also celebrate self-expression and intimacy. In addition to my professional pursuits, I’m a two-time award-winning chef and am deeply passionate about the LGBTQ+ community. I am married to KOB Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia, and we live in the beautiful north valley with our two rescue dogs, Barclay and Boomer.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month is a celebration of identity, love, and the progress we’ve made as a community. It’s a time to honor the history of our struggles and triumphs, reflect on the ongoing challenges we face, and come together in solidarity. For me, it’s about visibility, acceptance, and the unapologetic celebration of who we are.
What are some of the best things about Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community?
Albuquerque’s LGBTQ+ community is incredibly diverse, vibrant, and supportive. The community events, support groups, and inclusive spaces make Albuquerque a fantastic place for LGBTQ+ folx to connect and thrive.
What can community allies do to show more support?
Community allies can show support by actively listening and educating themselves about LGBTQ+ issues, standing up against discrimination and advocating for equality in their everyday lives. Voting, attending LGBTQ+ events, supporting LGBTQ+ businesses and fostering inclusive environments in workplaces and social circles also make a significant impact.
What’s something most people might be surprised to learn about you?
Most people might be surprised to learn that I am a huge Trekkie fan. Star Trek has inspired me in an infinite amount of ways, particularly in its vision of a diverse and inclusive future where everyone is valued for who they are. We can all learn a lot from Star Trek.