Happy Wednesday,
Suffice it to say that the mood in our country has certainly changed with the change at the top of the presidential ticket. Don’t forget the importance of exercising your right to vote. Please join us at one of our upcoming Community Conversations to discuss our community and the importance of civic involvement and civility.
City of Santa Fe: Last week, the governing body of the city of Santa Fe voted to approve a budget and included in this budget new armored/tactical/military type of vehicles for the Police department as well as a vehicle that can be used to neutralize a bomb. Yes, that’s correct; the city of Santa Fe is getting combat ‘real’ on us. The unfortunate part of this story, in addition to the huge $ expenditure, is that this type of weaponization of the Police Dept is what makes not only the queer community but also the Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian et al., and even members of the young heterosexual community uneasy, fearful and distrustful of the police in general nationwide. In addition, two of the governing bodies expressed their approval of this purchase with short speeches about if one is not for this type of equipment for the police, they were against public safety.
Two members of the governing body, Councilors Sig Lindell and Alma Castro, did not vote to approve this expenditure, but they could not influence the outcome.
Pay attention to what’s going on in City Hall – those considering running for mayor will undoubtedly begin their campaigning and posturing soon if they have not done so already. Pay attention to what they say and their positions, as it could influence the future of Santa Fe.
Rufus Wainwright Concert Reception: We are just a couple of weeks out from the Rufus Wainwright Concert with the Santa Fe Symphony at the Opera. We are hosting a pre-conference reception in the Opera Club as a fundraiser and the official kick-off for our Capital Campaign to open an LGBTQ+ Center. You will have an opportunity to see Mr. Wainwright up close, have a mock or cocktail, nibble on some delicious bites, and bid on our special silent auction items. Tickets are $100.00 and can be purchased when you buy concert tickets.
Kevin