A Quiet Force for Inclusion: Nearly 30 Years of PFLAG Las Cruces

In a place like Las Cruces—where community is often built face-to-face and neighbor-to-neighbor—organizations that create belonging can have an outsized impact. For nearly three decades, PFLAG Las Cruces has been one of those quiet, steady forces shaping a more inclusive southern New Mexico.

Rooted in Family, Built for Community

The story of PFLAG Las Cruces begins in 1995, when co-founders Susan Brown and William Soules recognized something many families were experiencing but few were openly discussing: a lack of visible, affirming support for LGBTQ+ people and the people who love them. Both founders had LGBTQ+ family members themselves, and that personal connection shaped the chapter’s DNA from the very beginning.

This wasn’t activism in the traditional sense—not at first. It was something more intimate. It was parents, families, and allies trying to understand, to support, and to build a space where others didn’t have to navigate those journeys alone.

That local origin mirrors the national beginnings of PFLAG, which traces back to Jeanne Manford marching in support of her gay son in 1973. What started as one mother’s public act of love grew into a nationwide network. In Las Cruces, that same spirit took root in a distinctly local way—grounded in relationships, trust, and the realities of life in southern New Mexico.

From Living Rooms to a Lasting Presence

Like many grassroots efforts, PFLAG Las Cruces began simply: support meetings, conversations, and shared experiences. Over time, those small gatherings evolved into something much larger.

Today, the chapter is a recognized and respected part of the local landscape. Its work spans three core areas that echo the national mission—support, education, and advocacy—but the way those show up in Las Cruces feels uniquely tailored to the region.

Support groups remain central, offering safe, confidential spaces where individuals and families can talk openly. For many, especially in more rural or traditionally conservative areas of southern New Mexico, these spaces can be life changing. They provide not just information, but reassurance: you are not alone.

Education has also become a major pillar. Through community events, public programming, and partnerships, PFLAG Las Cruces helps increase understanding around LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. That work often extends into schools, libraries, and community organizations—places where visibility and accurate information can shift perceptions in lasting ways.

And then there’s advocacy—not always loud, but consistently present. Whether it’s promoting inclusive policies, supporting local initiatives, or simply showing up as a visible ally in the community, the chapter has helped normalize LGBTQ+ presence in spaces where it once felt absent.

Meeting Real Needs: From Visibility to Direct Support

What sets PFLAG Las Cruces apart is how it has evolved to meet tangible, immediate needs—not just symbolic ones.

One of the clearest examples is the Rainbow Refugee Project, an initiative that supported LGBTQ+ migrants and asylum seekers arriving in the region. At a time when many individuals were navigating both displacement and identity-based vulnerability, the project connected people with housing, legal assistance, and community support.

That kind of work reflects a broader shift: from being solely a support network to also serving as a direct service provider when needed.

The chapter has also invested in young people and families through scholarships, recognition programs, and outreach efforts that emphasize safety and inclusion. These initiatives don’t just celebrate achievement—they send a message that LGBTQ+ youth are valued and supported in their own community.

In addition, efforts like promoting safe spaces and supporting inclusive resources in public institutions have helped make Las Cruces more navigable for LGBTQ+ residents. Visibility matters, but access matters just as much—and PFLAG Las Cruces has worked to strengthen both.

Partnerships that Expand the Circle

Another defining feature of the chapter is its collaborative approach. Rather than operating in isolation, PFLAG Las Cruces has built relationships with a wide range of local organizations—LGBTQ+ groups, youth services, outdoor and wellness organizations, and community initiatives.

These partnerships do something important: they integrate LGBTQ+ support into everyday community life.

It’s one thing to have a dedicated support group. It’s another to see LGBTQ+ inclusion reflected in hikes, library programs, youth events, and public celebrations. That integration helps shift the narrative from “separate” to “included,” reinforcing the idea that LGBTQ+ people are part of every facet of the community.

A Cultural Shift, One Conversation at a Time

The impact of PFLAG Las Cruces isn’t just measured in programs or attendance numbers—it’s visible in the cultural fabric of the region.

Over the years, the chapter has helped normalize conversations that once felt difficult or even impossible in some circles. It has created spaces where families can ask questions without fear of judgment. It has encouraged allies to step forward more visibly. And it has helped LGBTQ+ individuals see themselves reflected and supported in their own hometown.

Local recognition—through awards, events, and media coverage—signals something else, too: the organization is no longer on the margins. It’s part of the civic life of Las Cruces.

That kind of shift doesn’t happen overnight. It happens gradually, through consistent presence and relationship-building. Through showing up, again and again.

Why It Still Matters

In larger cities, it’s sometimes easy to take access to LGBTQ+ resources for granted. In smaller or more regionally dispersed communities, that access can look very different—and often more limited.

That’s why organizations like PFLAG Las Cruces remain essential.

They act as a bridge:

• Between LGBTQ+ individuals and their families

• Between private experiences and public understanding

• Between national movements and local realities

They also serve as a reminder that change doesn’t only come from large-scale efforts. It often starts with small, local actions—people recognizing a need and deciding to meet it.

Nearly 30 years after its founding, PFLAG Las Cruces continues to embody that idea. It has grown, adapted, and expanded its reach, but its core purpose remains the same: to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

Looking Ahead

If the chapter’s history tells us anything, it’s that community work is never static. Needs evolve, and so do the ways organizations respond.

What feels constant, though, is the role PFLAG Las Cruces plays as both a safety net and a catalyst—supporting individuals while also helping shape a more inclusive future for the region.

In southern New Mexico, that kind of work doesn’t just change lives. It strengthens the entire community.

And in Las Cruces, that work is still very much ongoing.