This Pride season, there’s something extra special for Santa Feans to celebrate—the grand opening of our newly inaugurated LGBTQ+ Center, the only one of its kind in the state. As someone who’s spent over two decades bouncing between borrowed spaces for queer events, I’ll admit it: I got a little emotional. The idea of having a dedicated hub for our community feels nothing short of groundbreaking.
And now, it’s here. In fact, it’s one of just a handful in the entire Southwest—a major milestone.
A Strategic Location
Located near Agua Fria in a brand-new building with ample parking, the Santa Fe LGBTQ+ Center is ideally situated: close enough to downtown to remain accessible, yet far enough south to serve the growing number of queer Santa Feans who call the Southside home.
“A key component was the location,” says Kevin Bowen, Executive Director of Santa Fe’s Human Rights Alliance (HRA). “It was important that the center be relatively central, but more to the south. More of our community lives on the southern side of town.”
Years in the Making
The official ribbon-cutting took place on May 3, but the celebration was years in the making. Over 150 people streamed through the doors that Saturday, exploring the two-story, 1,550-square-foot space—designed with growth in mind. The night before, a VIP event brought together Mayor Alan Webber, city councilors, donors, and advocates who helped bring the vision to life.
“We had been planning this for about three years,” Bowen says. “We ran a survey that showed 52% of respondents would definitely use a center, and another 31% said they might. That told us we needed to make it happen.”
Making It Happen
The journey to the new center wasn’t without its share of challenges. HRA initially planned to purchase a building, launching a capital campaign in early 2024. But fate—and an anonymous donor—intervened.
“At an event, I was introduced to someone who cared deeply about the community,” Bowen recalls. “Eventually, this anonymous donor offered to cover rent for the next three years.”
With that lifeline, HRA secured the new space on Parkway Drive. “The location was key,” Bowen reiterates. “It’s accessible, especially for folks on the Southside. Plus, the building is new, has parking, and offers room to grow.”
What’s Next?
After the excitement of Pride Month, programming at the center is set to ramp up. Groups like Equal Grounds, which previously met in scattered locations, now have a permanent home. But the vision extends far beyond providing meeting space.
Future offerings will include:
Queer AA meetings
Trans support groups (for youth and adults)
HIV & Hep C testing (plus vaccines in case of another pandemic)
A revived PFLAG chapter for parents and allies
Youth leadership programs
Senior social activities
Learning from recent events, the center also plans to serve as a hub for vaccine distribution in the event of another health crisis.
How to Get Involved
Currently, Bowen is the only full-time staff member, and volunteers—especially those with program development experience—are urgently needed.
“We need people who are serious about committing 4–5 hours a week,” he says. “The biggest misconception is that we open the doors and everything runs itself. But this is just the beginning. The Santa Fe community has never had a center before—now it’s our challenge to support it, fund it, and help it thrive.”
