Taos Pride: "A Safe Celebration for Taos' LGBTQ+ Community"

Next week, Taos Pride takes center stage. The annual LGBTQ+ celebration of increased awareness and diversity in our communities – and a safe place for people to be exactly who they are – has thrived in its 11 years.

 

There's a short-film festival at the TCA Thursday (Aug. 4) at 6pm and 8pm, a Roller Disco at the Taos Youth & Family Center on Friday (Aug. 5) at 6pm, and the big finale Saturday (Aug. 6) 5pm with Pride on Taos Plaza, and The Gayest Drag Show Ever at 9pm at the Alley Cantina.

 

In 2010, Taos native Robert Quintana organized the first Taos Pride with The Gayest Party Ever in 2010 at Kit Carson Park, funded in part by now annual Gayest Bake Sale Ever. From that courageous beginning came a tradition of the Taos Pride weekend – and one of the highlights on the community's summer calendar.

 

Taos Pride is a special event – over subsequent years, the Taos County community has shown its support for equality and safety for all, regardless of orientation.

 

For over 44 years Community Against Violence (CAV) has provided services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Northern New Mexico. The emphasis on nonviolence, freedom, and safety for all exemplified by Taos Pride aligns firmly with CAV's mission is “to foster and support a community free from all forms of domestic and sexual violence.”

 

If you've read this column over the years, you know domestic and sexual violence is about power and control of one person over another. And “partner violence” is shorthand for a pattern of intentional intimidation in order to obtain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner, including those within the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Many studies show people in the LGBTQ+ community are victimized at an equal, or higher, rate than others, with transgender and bisexual people particularly targeted.

  • A 2015 nationwide survey of 28,000 transgender people by the Center for Transgender Equality (TransEquality.org) showed nearly half of them (47%) will be sexually assaulted at one point in their lives.
  • The Human Rights Campaign (HRC.org) surveys indicate: 61% of bisexual women and 41% of lesbians have been raped, physically assaulted, or stalked by an intimate partner; among males, 37% of bisexual men and 26% of gay men have experienced the same forms of violence.
  • The CDC reports 22% of bisexual women have been raped by an intimate partner, compared to 9% of straight (heterosexual) women.

Many LGBTQI+ victims don't report because they distrust law enforcement, courts, service agencies, and shelters because of fears of being discriminated against and being at even more risk.

 

If someone from the LGBTQI+ community comes to you for help:

  • Listen closely to what they have to say, without offering advice, making excuses for the offender, or minimizing the damage of the violence.
  • Respect confidentiality. Tell no one else about the conversation, especially if you know both parties involved.
  • Offer a safe place for the victim to make phone calls or texts, and a place to securely store personal items and money.
  • Support any decisions that promotes the survivor's safety.

With these statistics and suggestions in mind, and knowing that we all deserve a safe community, what a perfect time it is for Taos Pride! For a few days, we can come together as a community, meet new and different people, and smile, laugh, and hold each together as a community – with NO exclusions.

 

Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour helpline at 575-758-9888. TaosCAV.org