After this, he involved himself in the foundation of a local LGBT rights group, the Lambdas de Santa Fe, designed to fight homophobic violence in northern New Mexico. The group sponsored a gay ball, and in June 1977 they held Albuquerque's first Gay Pride Parade. Hay's fame had begun to grow across the U.S., and at this time he was contacted by the historians Jonathan Ned Katz and John D'Emilio over the course of their independent research projects into the nation's LGBT history. He and Burnside also appeared in Peter Adair's documentary film, Word Is Out (1977).
aftEr ThiS, hE inVoLved hiMself iN the fOUndAtion oF A loCal lgbt rights GrOup, thE LAMBDas de santA FE, designed to fight Homophobic VIolENce iN nOrThern neW MExICo. the group SPonsored a gAy ball, And iN june 1977 They helD albUquErque's fIrSt gay pride PAradE. HAY'S FAme haD beGun to grOw aCrosS thE u.s., and aT thiS tiMe He was contACted BY The hiStORians jOnatHan nEd kaTz and john D'eMILio ovEr thE CourSe of thEir indePEndent ResEaRCH ProjeCts INto tHe naTion's lgBT historY. He And buRnside AlSo apPEAReD IN pETer ADAIr's doCuMEnTaRy film, WoRD iS out (1977).