El Paso Sun City Pride welcomed community members to Lotus Social House on Aug. 27 for its latest board elections, part of the organization’s preparations for its 20th anniversary in 2027.

Community members filled the cocktail lounge at 300 N. Mesa St. to meet candidates and elect co-directors for the 2026-27 term.

“It’s really exciting to see a full house,” said El Paso Sun City Pride President Javier Aguilar. “I honestly can’t recall in all the years that I’ve been involved with Sun City Pride seeing that many people interested in being part of the directors. For me, it was really amazing to see that response.”

The event featured live music by DJ Yari and food from neighboring business Unbranded, providing a backdrop for attendees to meet candidates vying for co-director positions across six areas: festival planning, entertainment, marketing, community outreach, special events and volunteer organization.

Each area has two co-director positions, with each director serving a one-year term.

“I am looking to be part of the community outreach,” said El Paso native Will Iglesias, who ran for co-director of community outreach. “I have some leadership experience throughout the city. It’s really important to me to reach out to the community. I get a sense of gratification from being able to help others.”

Sun City Pride thanked the owners of Lotus Social House for hosting the event. Aguilar said the partnership reflects growing interest among local businesses in supporting the organization.

“I’m so thankful for Erica and Oscar Mendez,” said Aguilar. “They helped us out a lot. It’s really cool that more bars and businesses in town are interested in being part of Sun City Pride and helping us host events. I’m really thankful for how she handled everything, and it was really amazing. Hopefully, we have our next event there soon.”

Looking ahead, the board is focused on expanding its impact by enhancing its scholarship programs and creating a larger, more inclusive festival experience.

“My main goal for the organization,” Aguilar said, “for this year will be putting on a good, fine event for 2027, in which we will be celebrating 20 years of Sun City Pride. I want to make it bigger. I want to amplify it and make an even bigger impact on the community and our scholarships.”

Although 2026 was not the first year the organization’s elections were open to the public, Sun City Pride promoted the August elections at Lotus Social House as part of a “new era” and an expanded community experience ahead of its anniversary year.

Aguilar said connecting community members with new and returning board members is important to the organization’s success.

“It’s something that we started doing because we want everybody to know the faces and make everybody accountable. These are the people on the board, and if you have something to say, let us know right away.”

The organization’s work centers on LGBTQ+ awareness, its scholarship programs, and the annual El Paso Pridefest, which it describes as one of the Southwest’s largest annual LGBTQ+ festivals.

As Sun City Pride approaches two decades of LGBTQ+ advocacy, Aguilar said strengthening community ties and maintaining a service-focused approach remain priorities.

“I want to do something different,” said Aguilar. “I want to help the community. At the end of the day, this is not for personal gain. This is for the community.”