A Lifeline for New Mexico’s LGBTQIA Community
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Save the Albuquerque Social Club – A Lifeline for New Mexico’s LGBTQIA+ Community
For more than 40 years, the Albuquerque Social Club (ASC) has been one of the only safe and affirming gathering spaces for LGBTQIA+ people in New Mexico. It has been our refuge, our place of celebration, and our chosen family home.
Generations have come through our doors. We have laughed, cried, danced, organized, and built community together. But now, ASC faces its most urgent crisis in history.
Why It Matters
Safe LGBTQIA+ spaces are disappearing across the country. In New Mexico, only two remain. Losing ASC would mean losing not just a building, but a community hub, a cultural anchor, and one of the few places where LGBTQIA+ people know they belong.
The Crisis
In the first 25 days of the new Board’s term, we uncovered the reality left by years of mismanagement:
- Over $109,000+ in total debt and liabilities to the landlord, IRS, State of New Mexico, utilities, vendors, staff, and personal loans from community members.
- Loss of nonprofit status, after years of unfiled returns.
- Eviction proceedings potentially underway, with $7,000 due immediately to keep our lease in good standing.
- Liquor license renewal missed on August 1st, with late fees accruing daily and a hard expiration of October 31, 2025.
- Gross Receipts Taxes (GRTs): $27,000+ past due, across multiple months.
If we cannot act now, ASC will close—and with it, one of only two remaining safe LGBTQIA+ spaces in New Mexico.
Our Immediate Goal: $25,000 by September 10th
This emergency fund will:
- $7,000 – Pay our landlord (Berger Briggs) to stop eviction.
- $9,000 – Repay vendors & distributors (National, Southern Glazers, PNM).
- $9,000 – Cover payroll owed to staff and community members who kept ASC running.
This is the first step. It will not erase all debt, but it will stop eviction, honor commitments, and buy us time to stabilize.
The Full Picture of Liabilities
For transparency, here is what ASC currently owes:
Landlord
- Berger Briggs (Rent): $20,440
Vendors & Utilities
- RNDC “National”: $3,297.26
- Southern Glazers: $4,000 (est.)
- PNM: $1,401.58
Back Payroll & Staff
- Payroll owed (staff): $3,000
- Back pay owed $4,904 + $1,845
Taxes & Compliance
- Gross Receipts Taxes (March–Sept 2025 + prior months): ~$27,000
- IRS Penalties: $1,675
- Liquor License Renewal: $1,910
- D&O Insurance: (est. $6,000)
Loans
- The Loan Fund: $20,735.44
- Clover Loan: $13,700
- Personal Loans (Mara, Robby, Travis): $6,025.16
Total Liabilities: $109,512.72
Phased Funding Plan
Phase 1 – Survival ($25,000)
- Stop eviction ($7k landlord)
- Repay vendors & utilities ($9k)
- Cover back payroll ($9k)
Phase 2 – Stabilization (+$35,000 / $60,000 total)
- Liquor license renewal & fees (~$1,910, due before Oct 31)
- GRTs (~$27,000)
- IRS penalties & insurance (~$6,000)
Phase 3 – Recovery (+$49,000 / $109,000 total)
- Pay down outstanding loans ($34,000 total)
- Remaining balances to staff, vendors, and compliance costs
How You Can Help
This is an all-hands moment. We need time, talent, and treasure:
- Treasure – Donate now to keep ASC alive.
- Talent – Share your skills (legal, financial, construction, event planning, etc.).
- Time – Volunteer at the Club to help us operate while we restructure.
Every dollar, every hour, and every skill matters.
Next Steps
Now – Sept 10, 2025
- Raise $25,000 to stop eviction and cover urgent obligations.
- Pay landlord $7,000 to keep our lease in good standing.
- Repay vendors and cover back payroll.
- Recruit volunteers to help staff shifts, clean, and keep the doors open.
Sept 14, 2025
- Membership-wide meeting at ASC.
- Present the full financial picture.
- Discuss options: nonprofit reinstatement, restructuring, or other paths forward.
- Hear directly from members — decisions must be made together.
Sept – Oct 2025
- File liquor license renewal (due Aug 1, expires Oct 31).
- Begin filing Gross Receipts Taxes (~$27,000 past due).
- Work with professionals (attorney, accountant) to negotiate payment plans.
- Strengthen governance: launch Conflict of Interest and transparency practices.
Oct – Dec 2025
- Form working groups: Finance, Facilities, Membership, Events.
- Recruit skilled volunteers (bookkeeping, legal, construction, fundraising).
- Publish regular updates for members and donors — full transparency.
2026 and Beyond
- Develop a multi-year plan to pay down loans and debt.
- Rebuild ASC’s 501(c)(7) nonprofit status.
- Relaunch ASC stronger: stable finances, clear governance, and a thriving community hub.
On September 14th at 3:30 PM, members will gather at ASC to chart our long-term future. Please join us—your voice matters.
Want to get involved? Please email us.
Organizer
