LGBTQIA+
Known as a gay-friendly destination, Las Cruces has no shortage of LGBTQIA+-owned and operated businesses, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
Whether you are in search of a safe place to hang out for good conversation with friends, a high-energy drag show or a night of laughing and dancing, Las Cruces has a plethora of queer-friendly businesses to welcome you.
In 2023, Las Cruces scored an 89 on the Municipal Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign. This is a measure of how supportive Las Cruces and the internal policies of our city are of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Las Cruces is a leader in municipal equality and second in the state. WELCOME TO LAS CRUCES. THE REAL NEW MEXICO. IT’S FOR EVERYONE.
Visit Las Cruces
The Visit Las Cruces Visitor Center has a wealth of information on the city, surrounding southern New Mexico, and the entire state. Stop by Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m at 336 S. Main St. in the heart of downtown or at any time peruse through our website's calendar of events for the most up-to-date information on festivals, events, activities and more!
PFLAG Las Cruces
The mission of PFLAG is to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. They envision an equitable, inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. An integral part of the vision are events celebrating diversity and inclusivity. The PFLAG Las Cruces | Las Cruces NM | Facebook page is a great resource for upcoming activities, gatherings and special events.
Southern New Mexico Pride
Southern New Mexico Pride seeks to provide the LGBT community with events and activities that are designed to unify the community and to be a resource for those seeking greater information and fellowship in the Las Cruces and southern New Mexico. One of the many inclusive events is the Annual SNM Pride Celebration held each year in October.
Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market
The nationally recognized Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market spans over 7 city blocks and is full of LGBTQIA+-owned vendors and gay-friendly merchants. The market celebrates Las Cruces and the surrounding area year-round every Saturday with local goods, wares, produce, cuisine, live music and more. A smaller market on Plaza de Las Cruces is held on every Wednesday.
These are just a few of the many inclusive businesses in Las Cruces!
Salud! de Mesilla
Salud! serves a fusion of Mexican, American, and Spanish type cuisine. The restaurant is known for its tapas style serving as well as its wide selection of wines. Co-owned and founded by Russell Hernandez and his husband Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez, the restaurant brings a refreshing splash of life to the historic Mesilla, and lovely representation for the LGBTQ+ community. Salud! de Mesilla is known to host a drag show on the last Saturday of the month and currently serves rainbow drinks on the last Wednesday of the month.
Location: 1800 Avenida de Mesilla
The Bean on Mesquite
Enjoy a great cup of coffee and nibble on some delicious pastries at this coffee shop. The Bean roasts all of its own coffee beans and offers a nice selection of hot and iced coffee and even some tea for all the non-coffee drinkers. Publicly known to be an LGBTQ+ owned and operated business, The Bean on Mesquite is just one of the locations for this business. The Bean at Josephina’s and The Bean of Mesilla are two others with the same regards as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. The location on Mesquite only recently opened as owner Mickey Balderas continues to expand the business.
Location: 130 N. Mesquite St.
