Under the Gaydar | Summer Series: Santa Ana Pueblo

Jul 10, 2022

To many of us, the state of New Mexico is merely a blip on the radar. Only something to experience by driving through on the interstate from one border to the next, never taking time to discover the incredible treasure trove of culture and natural wonder the state has to offer. With real estate in the famed Four Corners region of the Southwest, New Mexico has been a card-carrying member of the Mountain States since it earned statehood in 1912. In spite of this recognition, however, New Mexico has an untimely track record of getting left behind in that thick desert dust; a stigma that for many dates back to when you used to pray the shape of it wouldn't appear on your pop quiz back in grade school. Maybe you'll never be able to place it on a map, but nevertheless, New Mexico persists.

Unlike most renowned 'Gaycation' sports, the Land of Enchantment, as the state is often referred to, doesn’t have a go-to district like LA’s West Hollywood or Chicago’s Boystown; instead, it offers rich cultural experiences, exhilarating outdoor recreation, exciting casino gaming, and live entertainment that appeals to all.

Part 9: Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

Sandwiched between Santa Fe and Alburquerque, just 15 minutes north of the latter, the town of Santa Ana Pueblo is a small hidden gem represented by the Pueblo of Santa Ana, a Native American tribe with reservation lands that cover 73,000 acres including a strip of the ever-so fertile Rio Grande Valley. One of the seven Keres-speaking Pueblos that currently inhabit the state, it is only fitting that a town with so much culture would also have a deep linguistic heritage. Under the aegis of such a name, it stands to reason that “pueblo” is a bit of a double entendre in itself. On the one hand, it is the Spanish word for village, a label that dates back to the 1500s when Spanish settlers first arrived in New Mexico only to be met with a thriving culture rich in tradition interconnected by the back-and-forth nature of trade and familial ties. On the other hand, in the Southwest, a pueblo is most commonly associated with the primal lifestyle practiced by the indigenous community for over a thousand years.

In the Queer community, being different is good, and weird is even better; it’s the stereotypical archetype of normalcy that at the end of the day, really just boils down to being boring. Ranking in the top two weirdest states, New Mexico is a liberal haven in an otherwise conservative cloud. With extraterrestrials, legalized marijuana, and Breaking Bad filming locations to boot, you will never run out of unique experiences in this stunning southwestern spot.

On top of that, the Enchantment State is home to some of Mother Nature’s most bizarre experiments, ranging from otherworldly volcanic rock formations to ancient cave dwellings and stark white sand dunes that look like they were imported straight from a sci-fi film. If that’s not your thing, the confluence of traditions and culture from the multitude of tribes blends beautifully with the historic architecture, straight-up eccentricity, and the old-school Wild Wild West spirit that is woven into the state’s identity.

Summer Fun:
The Stables at Tamaya | Book Here
Embodying the Tamayame Tribe’s respect for their land and what lives amongst it, The Stables at Tamaya is a place where adventure and philanthropy meet. Home to beautiful horses from the nearby Tamaya Horse Rehab the stables are only a mile back from the GayTravel Approved™ Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa - a longtime favorite of ours.

Take a trail ride on a rescue horse, discover our Yoga & Horse Experiences or attend the weekly Thursday night rodeo during the summer. Trail rides are $80/person and depart at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Santa Ana Golf Club | Book Here

The Santa Ana Golf Club offers golf the way it was meant to be played; there's a reason the club has been featured by prestigious publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. In fact, it was even called "one of America's three best true links-style golf courses" by The New York Times. Officials even tapped Santa Ana as the venue for the 2009 PGA Professional National Championship, so if it's good enough for the pros, you know you'll have a ball.

You'll enjoy a 27-hole championship links-style golf course, five sets of tees on every hole, play from 5,500 yards to 7,400 yards, a 22,000-square-foot Club House, eight lakes, full-service Pro Shop, practice facilities, hospitality quarters, four-star restaurant, and casual bar and grille.

Photo Credit: My New Mexico Golf

Hotel Recommendations in Santa Ana Pueblo:

Experience the renowned hospitality of the Tamaya people at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. This luxury resort offers the award-winning Tamaya Mist Spa & Salon, the championship Twin Warriors Golf Course, the Stables at Tamaya, the Tamaya Cultural Learning Center, and unique cultural activities like Native American dances, traditional bread making, and storytelling. Set against the bright blue skies, the earthy, red tones of the property create a dramatic landscape, and there's no better way to get that quintessential New Mexican experience than by staying in one of the architectural gems that boast a distinctive style that nods to the state’s rich cultural heritage.