Posts tagged memorial

Friends,

It is sad that I report to you the death of Taos Gay Pride President Robert Quintana.  Robert was a special young man with the energy, and charisma to lead many people.  Through out this past year Albuquerque Pride including James Reese, PJ Sedillo, Tony Ross and myself had the opportunity to work with Robert.  He was a courageous man, and will be remembered for bringing gay rights issues to the forefront in Taos and in Northern New Mexico. 

I ask that you keep Robert, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. 
 
Together in pride
 
Jesse A. Lopez
President Albuquerque Pride, Inc
 
(below is the article from the Santa Fe New Mexican)

Robert Quintana, Gay Pride Taos organizer, dead at 29 Chandra Johnson | The Taos News, Tuesday August 10
 
Taoseña Janie Corinne summed up her friend and local Gay Pride Taos organizer Robert Quintana in three words: “Sweetest guy ever.”

The Taos Police department confirmed to The Taos News early Tuesday morning that Quintana, 29, had died sometime Monday of as yet unknown circumstances. Quintana, originally from Questa, was the founder of Gay Pride Taos and was in the midst of planning a weekend-long gay pride event in Taos — the first of its kind.

In a recent interview with The Taos News, Quintana said that Gay Pride Taos and its upcoming August events were not just about celebrating gay rights and progress, but about celebrating the local community.

“This event is not for me, or even the people who have worked so hard to put in together, it’s for the kid growing up in Taos or any other small community who is having a hard time coming to terms with being gay and then he or she sees our events and the support from the community they benefit from and realizes that it’s OK to be exactly who he or she is,” Quintana said earlier this month.

“Maybe, just maybe we can save some of these kids from a life of depression and misery and give them a happy, clean start and in turn they can bring their energy and talents back to our community.” Corinne said that Gay Pride Taos is holding its regular Tuesday night meeting at El Pueblito Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. and anyone who knew Quintana and wants to lend support or talk is welcome to attend.