Gay Truth or Consequences

You won’t believe the backstory to how Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, got its name, nor would you believe just how much there is to explore and do inside this small, but promising, desert city! Truth or Consequences, also known as T or C, was originally named Hot Springs, New Mexico, after the area's plentiful hot springs. However, that all changed in 1950 when believe it or not, the city changed its name to win a radio contest held by a then-popular radio quiz show, Truth or Consequences. The radio show offered to host its 10th-anniversary episode in whichever city first changed its name to match the program, and, as you could guess, T or C won that contest, and the episode was recorded there.

Fast forward to the present day, and T or C is a charming time capsule of sorts with a fascinatingly rich and intriguing history paired with the promising investments of some of the wealthiest men on Earth, Richard Branson and Ted Turner. Branson’s Virgin Galactic company calls T or C home for their spaceflight endeavors in Spaceport America. As you can see, T or C is more than just its unique name and history, and while it may not be the most well-known travel destination, give the city and area a chance, and it may very well earn a spot in your travel bucket list!

Photo Credit: Mike Fizer

What do you want to discover?

What's the Gay Scene Like?

Best Time to Visit Truth or Consequences

Top Things to See and Do in Truth or Consequences

MUST DO: Attractions & Activities

MUST EAT: Gay-Friendly Dining

MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

Travel Safety Tips

Local Expert: Gay Scene in Truth or Consequences

As a small town in New Mexico, the main appeal of T or C is not necessarily its gay scene, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun here! New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community and overall population are famously laidback and known to be welcoming and accepting, with a significant focus on art and local events and initiatives. While T or C may not offer a nightlife experience for the LGBTQ+ traveler per se, the area does sit in proximity to larger gay scenes in bigger cities such as Las Cruces, for example. Moreover, if you are looking for fun, T or C is also home to an annual event called the Fiesta. Held on the first weekend of May, the Fiesta draws its origins back to the city's unique naming history, which brought in not only a radio show but also a large event that grew throughout the years to be a weekend-long series of festivities, including beauty contests, food vendors, and parades! While T or C may not be an LGBTQ+ hotspot, there is still plenty of fun and community around the area if you plan to travel here! 

Best Time to Visit Truth or Consequences

If there is one thing New Mexico is known for, it's the area's desert geography. Boasting a cool desert climate, temperatures in T or C are generally scorching during the day and cool at night throughout the year. The hottest and driest months run through April and June, with monsoon season running roughly from July to September. The best recommendation on when to visit T or C may depend on your weather tolerances. However, be aware of the drastic temperature changes throughout the year, as scorching days can turn to frigid nights in the desert area. Some of the best weather, all things considered, may be found during the late winter months throughout the spring seasons until June, as you can avoid the scorching summer heat and a lot of the rainier times of year for the area. No matter when you decide to visit, bring some sunscreen for the day and jackets for the night!

Photo Credit: Ted Turner Reserves

Top Things to See and Do in Truth or Consequences

MUST DO Truth or Consequences Attractions & Activities

While some may be tempted to cast off T or C as being void of any fun things to do, rest assured that Truth or Consequences has a load of potential activities and sightseeing to satisfy your thirst for adventure! Here are some suggestions of what you could find yourself doing during your visit to the area:

Nature-based tourism: If you love the outdoors and are hungry for exploration, look no further than the Ted Turner reserves! Located within the city, the reserves offer splendid accommodations for relaxing and taking in New Mexico’s natural beauty, including hot springs, hiking trails, and complete tours of the surrounding area's wildlife diversity. The reserves are top-of-the-line, offering some of the best opportunities to explore the wild side of life and take in the one-of-a-kind relaxing beauty of the region. If you are looking for a place to wind down or an outlet to let out the explorer within you, Ted Turner Reserves has you covered in your visit and stay in T or C!

Photo Credit: Sean Fitzgerald

Hot Springs: As mentioned before, T or C was formerly known as Hot Springs, and for good reason. There are several hot springs throughout the city, with many bathhouses to choose from if you want to wind down or simply experience such a rare opportunity to soak your stress away in the relaxing hot thermal waters. If you are traveling to T or C, you cannot miss the chance to end your day of adventure with a dip in the city's original namesake and experience the steaming waters of the area's hot springs! 

Adventure: T or C may not offer the bustling popularity of big-name cities such as New York or San Francisco, but it offers a sense of natural wonder and adventure you can’t get anywhere else! There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to your adventures here, including a trip down the small town's charming main street, an excursion to the area’s neighboring state parks, such as Percha Dam or Caballo Lake, or a visit to some of the cities unique museum offerings, such as Geronimo Springs Museum. Some highlights from these options include the calm waters of Caballo State Park, designed for fishing, kayaking, boating or trekking, birdwatching at Percha Dam, or exploring the heirlooms and history held within the Geronimo Springs Museum, which has a little bit of everything for you to see documenting the areas eccentric history. Whatever path you choose in your adventures in T or C, know that the only consequence is the fun you’ll have and the memories you’ll make! 

MUST EAT Truth or Consequences Gay-Friendly Dining

As a small city with immense charm, Truth or Consequences has its fair share of local, community-owned dining options to choose from during your visit here. You can support the local business community of the area and enjoy some great food options at some highly touted spots in the city, such as Passion Pie Cafe. If you want to sample some of New Mexico’s cuisine, you can expect to find a blend of different flavors and cultural adaptations that mirror the area's diverse Native American and Spanish history. New Mexican culinary flair incorporates a lot of New Mexican spices, herbs, and flavors from ingredients such as red and green New Mexico chile peppers. The area's rich culture and history give it a distinctive culinary taste that you must experience when visiting this New Mexico landmark! 

MUST VISIT: Truth or Consequences Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

Barring in mind that T or C is such a small city, there are not many gay-friendly bars, let alone much nightlife in general. However, that does not mean you are out of options when it comes to enjoying a night out to town! Other larger cities and LGBTQ+ communities surround the city with their bustling nightlife, including Albuquerque and Las Cruces. If you are traveling to T or C, know that the main selling points are not around its bars and nightlife scene, but plenty of fun spots and opportunities exist around you in this desert! 

Travel Safety Tips

Given its small population and small-town vibes, Truth or Consequences is relatively safe compared to the nation when it comes to crime rate. That being said, LGBTQ+ travelers should always take caution into account wherever they travel to ensure they remain safe. To ensure your safety and comfort, it is advisable to refrain from traveling alone at night, particularly in dimly lit and sparsely populated locations. Remember to remain vigilant of your personal belongings and stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. If you are sure to use common sense and always be cautious wherever you go, Truth or Consequences should prove to be a calm and safe place to travel, and enjoy your stay at this quirky, fun, and intriguing place!