Butler PFLAG dissolves, leaving hole in LGBTQ+ services
With the Butler chapter of PFLAG recently dissolving, other community organizations are stepping up to provide services for the local LGBTQ+ population.
Mid-last month, the Butler PFLAG posted a notice of dissolution. The organization, which became a formally established nonprofit in January 2025, looked to offer a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community through events and support groups.
“It’s really sad to see,” Butler city Councilwoman Lisa Quebedeaux, a former co-president of the chapter, said. “We put a lot into the organization just to get it established and it was hard to find our footing. I hoped it would still make it through.”
Quebedeaux stepped down after being elected to city council to avoid associating the organization with her political affiliation.
After her departure, the organization still maintained a president, secretary and treasurer — three essential positions that must be filled to meet PFLAG’s chapter requirements.
She was surprised to learn, however, that the other president and treasurer resigned in December. She said the group was not able to find replacements in time, and was asked to dissolve.
The notice to the public was run in the March 16 edition of the Butler Eagle.
From what she heard, the biggest reason for the dissolution came from differing opinions on how best to reach and support the local LGBTQ+ community.
“Some members wanted to focus more on support groups and ways to help people who need that support, but others wanted to focus energy on outreach and more social-based events,” she said.
During its time in Butler, the group saw some success with its Week of Pride events in June 2025 at Alameda Park. A community picnic one night reportedly received nearly 300 attendees.
Despite the dissolution, she said former PFLAG volunteers have moved to other local organizations, such as National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICE).
“I hope people are able to connect with the other resources available to them,” she said. “All love to the LGBTQ+ community.”
On March 6, NAMI’s Butler County chapter announced a new support group dedicated to families, friends and allies of LGBTQ+ individuals. The group’s first meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the Holly Pointe Building, 220 S. Main St. in Butler.
“This group is for family members, friends and allies who want a supportive and welcoming space to talk, listen and connect with others who understand. Together we can share experiences, build understanding and support the people we love,” NAMI’s Facebook post said.
The group will continue to meet every third Wednesday of the month at the Holly Pointe Building.
Nathan Lazaroff, media and marketing coordinator for the organization, said it is actively exploring more direct ways to support LGBTQ+ individuals, including making it easier for them to connect with national organizations.
“Right now, we want to get to where we can connect people with resources like the Trevor Project and Neighborhood Legal Services. Local groups are a lot harder to find,” he said.
Lazaroff said NAMI and Butler PFLAG worked together while it was active and even helped train members on how to run their own support groups. After its dissolution, he said several former PFLAG members joined NAMI as volunteers.
“It’s sad to see them dissolve, but it’s a good opportunity to welcome them here since they have that training already,” he said.
Since the support group was announced, Lazaroff said the feedback at other NAMI events has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everyone we talked to said it’s a great idea. The amount of interest we’ve seen just shows that support groups like it are really needed here,” he said.
Other groups in the region offer services that may prove beneficial for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
VOICE offers confidential and free assistance — such as crisis intervention, domestic violence shelter, legal advocacy and more — to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, dating violence and more. More information on resources and events is available at www.voicebutlercounty.org.
