By Dana Long / Photography courtesy of Dana Long

Tucked away near the border of Arizona and Utah, Mesquite, NV, is home to an LGBTQIA+ Non-Profit Organization who is rounding the corner on their 4th Annual Pride Celebration. Love Family got their start back in 2021 after seeing a need for education, unity, and support in their community. That year, the town’s first-ever Pride event was held at the Mesquite Recreation Center Pool and served as a true community gathering complete with free games and prizes, educational vendors from Las Vegas and St. George, Utah, an art contest, and, of course, hamburgers, hot dogs and cookies served up by local Firefighters and Police. Since 2021, after seeing the success of the town’s first Pride Event, Love Family knew there was work to be done and continued to build a network of LGBTQIA+ community members and allies.

Since the formation of Love Family, one underlying theme that continues to get brought to light is the experience of queer youth in a rural community. A lack of diversity brings the feeling of isolation for individuals who may be considered ‘outside of the norm.’ While current culture and social media have greatly impacted our ability to see more diversity in the world, the culture of “small-town values” and “small-town expectations” can be a heavy weight to carry, especially when the expectation resides in your own home.

Love Family hopes to continue to provide safe spaces and a welcoming atmosphere wherever they leave their mark. This year, they are starting a new initiative to help provide education and support to local businesses who want to become better allies in the community. Through education and awareness, our community can truly include all members through their doors without the fear of inequality and discrimination.

This year, the organization has a strong lineup of events that are sure to bring their community together to create lasting memories and new friendships. With an ongoing theme of “Come on Get Happy,” here’s what the organization has in store for 2024:

Mesquite Family Pride Night
Saturday, June 1st
(Date subject to change)

Bar Crawl
Saturday, June 8th
(Date subject to change)

Prom 2024
Friday, June 21st

Love Family Variety Show
Saturday, June 29th

In addition to their annual Pride Events, Love Family hosts a youth art contest and selects one lucky winner to be showcased on their yearly T-shirts. These eye-catching shirts serve as a fundraising opportunity throughout the year, and are sponsored by local businesses in Mesquite.

This article was originally published in the 2024 Spring Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.