Queer Across America: Roadtrip to Albuquerque, New Mexico

My Queer Across America roadtrip has come to a standstill as I’m stuck on the highway on my way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. My goal of exploring LGBTQ+ cities in each state seems to be nothing more than a dream as a raging sandstorm violently shakes my car on my way up from Phoenix. Piles of clothing, books, and all my other worldly possessions get thrown around in the backseat.

I have no choice but to wait out the storm. I take the opportunity to rummage through the piles of clothing, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things that I no longer need. Living on the road quickly teaches you how to live humbly. It becomes a chore to lug around so many belongings.

Aside from clothes, the only real possessions I have are books. Those are difficult to part with, but take up even more space. I finally finish making the difficult decision to create a “discard” pile just as the sandstorm subsides. I refocus on the road, continuing my journey to Albuquerque.

The home of Breaking Bad is like a welcoming, liberal oasis of marijuana shops, authentic Mexican food, and tons of bookstores. I decide to stop into one even though I try to convince myself (poorly) that I need to be getting rid of books, not collecting more. However, I’m not the type to make great decisions, as evident by my unplanned journey around the country. 

I enter Page 1 Books, a bustling independent bookstore. Though it’s not queer-owned, I’m immediately greeted by Pride flags displayed from the ceiling. In front of the numerous rows of books are large, round tables with one of them fully dedicated to all things trans: gender theories by Judith Butler, fiction books by trans authors, memoirs of Elliot Page and Laverne Cox. 

Suddenly, I get hit with a brilliant idea. I pull out my phone and do a quick search to find my next destination. Miraculously, I don’t buy a single book from the store (shocking, I know!). Instead, I drive a couple miles west toward the city center into a parking lot of a long, unmarked building. 

When I knock on the door, I’m greeted by a trans Latina woman whose smile radiates more warmth than the New Mexico sun. I ask her if the Transgender Resource Center accepts clothing and book donations. She is gracious to accept the clothing but unfortunately doesn’t have enough room for the books. 

I dig through the piles of clothing in my car, shove the articles into a bag, and happily deliver them to the woman. I always hate throwing away clothes. Knowing that there are LGBTQ+ centers in most cities that are happy to take donations, especially for trans community members that may have difficulty finding certain sizes, it’s a much better opportunity than just tossing them out. 

After that, I stop for a quick caffeine pick-me-up. I wander into Snapdragon Tea, where I’m not only greeted by another Pride flag but chairs and tables decked out with ribbons, colorful streamers hanging from the ceiling, and a variety of art gracing the walls. 

This shop is indeed queer-owned and home to some of the best pastries and assortment of teas I’ve ever had! I sit in the back corner sipping on a Cherry Sencha while coloring one of the little cat drawings that adorn the tables. When I finish and tape the adorable feline to the window (as is encouraged by the establishment) I notice a Little Free Library on the window sill. I shuffle through the books and magazines, always happy to find accessible literature. Then another brilliant idea hits me!

I run to my car, scoop as many of my books into my arms as possible, and proudly place them into the Little Free Library. I’m relieved that I never discarded my clothing or books into the trash and, instead, have now allowed them to find new homes with queer individuals who can appreciate them just as I once had.

Albuquerque is an unexpectedly queer city. Though the locals inform me that it hasn’t always been that way, they’re happy to see the progress its making, the many LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and the resources available for queer people.

Continue with me on my Queer Across America roadtrip around the country next week as I cautiously visit Laramie, Wyoming to learn about its dark past. 

Some other notable Albuquerque queer-owned businesses:

Albuquerque Social Club, Effex nightclub, Sageworks Organic, Bow and Arrow Brewery  (indigenous women-owned).

Photos courtesy London Alexander and social media