Organizations Team Up to Provide LGBTIQ+ Pride House at National Senior Games
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The City of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity & Inclusion has played a coordination role in partnership with Pride House International (PHI) and SAGE Albuquerque to provide a Pride House location where LGBTIQ+ athletes participating in the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana can gather, enjoy refreshments, and learn about local LGBTIQ+ affirming community resources and activities in a safe space. The space can also be used by competitors’ partners, and friends. The Pride House will be located at the offices of Community Recreation and Education Initiatives (CREI) offices at 700 4th St SE, with operating hours of Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. during the games, June 14-25, 2019.
Pride House International is an organization based in the UK. Pride Houses are venues that welcome LGBTIQ+ athletes, fans and allies during large-scale international sporting events. The Pride House concept grew out of the hospitality house tradition found in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Typically these hospitality houses are organized around nationality or culture and provide a base for supporters and athletes to enjoy the event. LGBTIQ+ athletes and supporters have traditionally been marginalized. Pride Houses seek to address this. The first Pride House was established during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler.
SAGE Albuquerque is a support network for LGBTIQ adults and elders. SAGE Albuquerque collaborates with local government agencies, key providers and other LGBTIQ organizations to educate the public, service providers, and the LGBTIQ community about the unique challenges older LGBTIQ adults face and to connect them to opportunities for support.
“We are thrilled to be the host city for the 2019 National Senior Games and welcome all participants, regardless of who they are and who they love to Albuquerque. Part of welcoming visitors to a city is providing spaces where one feels comfortable, safe, and at home - The Pride House will do just that for the LGBTIQ+ athletes and supporters participating in the Senior Games.” said Mayor Tim Keller.
A record high, 13,712 athletes registered to participate in the event and it is estimated that three to five percent or 390-650 participants identify as LGBTIQ+.
The 2019 National Senior Games will be held in Albuquerque from June 14-25. To learn more about the National Senior Games visit NSGA.com. Volunteers are still needed. To sign up to volunteer, visitNSGA.com/volunteer.