Thousands of people gathered along the sides of Lomas Boulevard on Saturday morning to celebrate the 41st annual Pride Parade.
The parade was a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community.
Many local businesses participated in the parade such as; Sandia National Laboratories and Albuquerque Public Schools.
Nationally recognized businesses such as; Planned Parenthood and T-Mobile also participated.
The Grand Marshal of the parade was Axel Andrews, an entertainer from Pulse Nightclub in Orlando Florida.
Pulse Nightclub was the location of a deadly mass shooting that took place in June 2016, in which the shooter specifically targeted members of the LGBTIQ community.
Pride Parades around the world are meant to build unity and strength in the LGBTIQ+ community as well as send a message to others that they will not tolerate hate.
This was the first year the Albuquerque Pride Parade took place on Lomas Boulevard.
Due to ART construction on central the parade did not take place on its normal route.
A group affiliated with TheRedNation.org brings awareness to Native and Indigenous pride. (Hilary Broman/ CNM Chronicle)Albuquerque Public Schools demand safe schools for LGBTIQ youth with support from Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs from around the city. (Hilary Broman/ CNM Chronicle)Parade participant shows her support for John Abrams, Edgewood town Councilor and current Congressional Seat candidate, with a positive message. (Hilary Broman/ CNM Chronicle)Parade participant promotes the practice of consensual sex. “Consent is Sexy” is a campaign targeted toward ending date rape and sexual assault, specifically on college campuses. (Hilary Broman/CNM Chronicle)Pride Parade participant shows her support for Maggie Hart Stebbins, Bernalillo County Commissioner, while blowing bubbles at the crowd. (Hilary Broman/CNM Chronicle)This year’s Pride Parade Grand Marshal Axel Andrews waves to the spectators and supporters that lines Lomas Ave for the 2017 Albuquerque Pride Parade. (Wade Faast/CNM Chronicle)More than 20 volunteers with Planned Parenthood and Teen ‘Mpower carry the largest pride flag of the day down Lomas Ave. (Wade Faast/CNM Chronicle)Olivia Gallegos watches and cheers the parade participants with her daughter Lucy. While not a member of the LGBT community herself, Olivia said it’s important to show support as the struggle is still on going. (Wade Faast/CNM Chronicle)Several Christian churches brought floats and organized marchers for this years pride parade. Episcopal Reverend Sylvia Miller-Mutia (center) said it’s important to have a Christian presence at LGBT events as a public display of love to drown out the hate. (Wade Faast/CNM Chronicle)Aaron Edwards turns his back to a jet of cold water but doesn’t try to escape the stream. With temperatures in the 90’s, water cannons and water guns were popular with many of the floats, and not shortage of spectators asking to be sprayed. (Wade Faast/CNM Chronicle)
