Albuquerque Pride represenatives were out Saturday, June 6, 2009, informing businesses on Central Avenue about the street closure next Saturday for the Pride Parade. The manager at Kelly's Brew Pub was dis-courtious to the representatives and complained about the imposition the gay community was putting on the business. When contacted later they said the wasn't enough that Kelly's "tolerated" us as customers. The Albuquerque Pride board will be talking with the owners of Kelly's and trying to get a better resolution to this situation.
ABQ Pride board members met with Mr. Dennis Bonfantine, owner of Kelly's. Mr. Bonfantine submitted a letter in response to Alibi.com which ABQ Pride posted a link to on their Facebook page. I have not heard directly from Pride yet on this subject and didn't bring it up when I saw folks at Pride. From the comments on the Alibi web site and Pride's Facebook page, people are not pleased with the letter, including me.
I will keep this information updated with further information as I get it.