Albuquerque, New Mexico is full of queer-owned businesses! My Queer Across America road trip has brought me to the southwest city to explore the queer community. It’s clear to me that Albuquerque is quickly becoming one of the trendiest queer cities–a liberal oasis full of marijuana shops, tons of bookstores, creative art spaces, and a lively nightlife.
Here are some of my favorite queer-owned businesses in Albuquerque:
SnapDragon Tea
A Pride flag greets me at SnapDragon Tea along with colorfully decorated tables and chairs. Ribbons and streamers hang from the ceiling, ready to celebrate the QUEEREST of tea parties (actual tea, not like Rupaul’s Drag Race kind of tea). I grab a Cherry Sencha and sit in the corner to color one of the little cat drawings offered on the table. When I finish creating a personality for my new little half-feline, half-mermaid friend, I tape them to the window just above a Little Free Library.
A brilliant idea hits me! It’s difficult for me to get rid of personal things that mean a lot to me, but I have to travel lightly when living on the road. So I run to my car, scoop up my favorite books that I unfortunately have no more room for, and donate them to the Little Free Library. I finish my drink and then get a hit of inspiration for my next destination.
Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico
Near the New Mexico city center, a long parking lot next to an unmarked building greets me. I shuffle through bags of clothing in my car before carrying them to a door where a trans Latina greets me. The Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico provides resources for trans folks, such as nonbinary/trans support groups, family and peer groups, play groups for children, youth groups, and many others.
The organization also provides trainings to educate people on trans needs, what it means to be trans and nonbinary, and the significance of pronouns. With all the constantly changing legislation, the Transgender Resource Center also assists with the legal process of changing one’s name and gender markers on documents.
The center also gives a safe space for trans people to hang out. An inviting room with a TV, tables and chairs, and a closet of donated clothes welcomes transgender folks.
Bow and Arrow Brewery
Time for a midday beer from an indigenous, queer, woman-owned brewery that brews on native land! Bow and Arrow Brewery is the place to be, with its spacious bar area welcoming people with an intimate stage that hosts poetry nights, live music, and various other art events. Lining the walls are barrels of booze actively being made. It’s tempting to slap them bad boys, but I refrain from disturbing the bubbly nectar.
I grab a couple of tacos from the taco truck outside and feel refueled enough for the next destination.
Page 1 Books
This bookstore is across town, and, to be honest, all of Albuquerque is quite spaced apart. Public transportation or a car is necessary in this not-so-walkable city. But Page 1 Books doesn’t disappoint. Though it’s not queer-owned, it’s a strong ally. And not in a performative way to try to capitalize on queer cash, but in an actual way where they highlight trans authors, queer books, and a table full of queerness without it even being Pride month.
I just got rid of books only to get a few more because apparently I have no self-control when it comes to queer literature!
Sagework Organics
Sagework Organics no longer takes up a brick-and-mortar shop, but the business next to it holds its products, and Sagework also still sells online. I’m excited to scoop up some locally queer-made products like a banana bread candle, soothing lavender lotion, and some chili spices that New Mexico is famous for.
Albuquerque Social Club
It’s been refreshing for Albuquerque to have so many queer-owned businesses that aren’t just bars. It’s great to have a variety of third spaces aside from nightlife. However, it’s also important to indulge in a wild night, drag shows, and after-hours queer events at Albuquerque Social Club!
Albuquerque Social Club is in the center of the artsy area known as Nob Hill. The oldest LGBTQ+ safe space in the Southwest, the club has been around since 1983. It’s a great community spot for Rupaul’s Drag Race viewing parties, country line-dancing events, go-go dancers, and drag shows!
Albuquerque is an oasis of queerness in the Southwest desert. It’s always the most unexpected cities that greet me with such welcoming queerness on my travels. Albuquerque hasn’t always been pretty or welcoming, according to one of the locals. But, in the last few years, the city has been blossoming into one of the trendiest queer hotspots!
Photos courtesy of London Alexander, social media, and the Albuquerque Social Club website. All photos courtesy of London Alexander are copyrighted and cannot be used without written expressed permission.
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