EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso Museum of History (EPMH) kicked off Pride Month with a “Family Day” event and a new exhibit.
On Saturday, June 1, the museum hosted a free LGBTQ event for the community celebrating various Mexican artists and culture bearers.
In addition to hands-on activities and face painting, the museum also debuted a new pop-up exhibit that tells the story of “El Baile de los 41,” the 1901 Mexican police raid on an all-male ball.
“During the Porfiria, Mexico saw the rise of what was then called liberalism. Naturally, high society imitated European standards. But there were also people who were very conservative. So people from the LGBTQ community had to go into hiding,” said Erika Marin, director of EPMH.
“They were having secret meetings, renting houses and throwing parties. One of these parties was discovered and people were arrested, not just upper class people but working class people too. It became a huge scandal and was basically called the beginning or the invention of homosexuality in Mexico,” Marin said.
Mullin said events like “Family Day” are important for the community to send a message of inclusivity.
“I think it’s important for people to realize that people have always loved who they loved. Queer people have existed since before the 19th century. So this isn’t necessarily an issue of tolerance, it’s an issue of love,” Marin said.
EPMH will host a Pride Month Conversation Event at 5:30 p.m. on June 13. A variety of topics will be discussed, including medical, legal, emotional and social support for El Paso’s LGBTQ community, according to a news release sent by the City of El Paso.
