Every year, the month of June is recognized as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, a time to highlight the contributions of the community, shed light on the current struggles that are faced today, and reflect upon the history of LGBTQIA+ existence and persistence.
From the recent attacks in our state, it is important to highlight the groups and organizations who are leading the charge right alongside us and fighting to protect our trans youth.
After last year’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, conversations around LGBTQIA+ women, men, and non-binary became a threat and safe spaces were being erased. This bill and what followed only erases LGBTQIA+ identity, history, culture- and the community itself.
The culture wars did not stop with the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, but increased in this past 2023 Legislation Session. With the Anti-Transgender bill and the Drag Show Ban bill to the expansion of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and Ban on Gender-Affirming Care, it was a session of inhumane, devastating attacks on a community that leads with love and one that is under constant threats, discrimination, and violence.
Although this legislation is harmful, there are still safe spaces. There are organizations, groups, and people leading with love and creating an environment for our LGBTQIA+ community to thrive and continue to live that will not and are not backing down.
It is so incredibly important in times like ours to lean on others, to support our local safe spaces, and to give back to the community. You are not alone; you are loved; and you are valid.
To learn more about organizations, groups, and community funds, please see below:
- Central Florida Emergency Trans Care Fund: In response to the attacks on Gender Affirming Care in Florida, The LGBT+ Center Orlando, in partnership with Contigo Fund and other community organizations, has launched the Central Florida Emergency Trans Care Fund. This Central Florida effort provides rapid response support directly to the families of Transgender youth and to Transgender Adults directly impacted by anti-transgender healthcare bans in Florida.
- SPEKTRUM Health Care Fund: SPEKTRUM Health needs your help to secure the resources and funding necessary to take on the battle to secure the healthcare rights and freedoms of the community. As a result of Florida’s latest move to limit access to gender affirming care, SPEKTRUM’s mission is to provide best practice, age-appropriate, medically-necessary health care to all people under threat.
- 26Health: A vision to offer quality care and services for all Central Floridians regardless of their ability to pay, 26Health is a comprehensive wellness community organization that includes affordable healthcare, mental health care, a drug discount program, adoption services, and more.
- The Bros in Convo Initiative (TBICI): A Black Queer-led grassroots organization building community, educating, and empowering gay and queer individuals of color living in Central Florida. TBICI focuses on providing comprehensive health education, HIV prevention, peer support, and more.
- The Center Orlando: An organization focusing on promoting and empowering the LGBT community and its allies through advocacy, education, information, and support. The Center offers free HIV/STD testing, free mental health counseling, transgender services that include gender-affirming programs and funds, a food pantry, legal assistance, and more.
- Contigo Fund: A grantmaking organization that offers financial support, convenes and strengthens connections, and builds on the leadership of individuals and capacity of organizations. The Contigo Fund serves as a resource and centers efforts of those working to heal, educate, and empower Pulse-affected and LGBTQIA+ communities historically marginalized by society – especially Black and Latinx individuals, immigrants, and people of color.
- CREW Community: An organization that is dedicated to providing medical care and case management to everyone, with a specific LGBTQIA+ focus. CREW offers low to no cost health care to all patients, as well as getting HIV positive patients to an undetectable status by starting them on effective treatment as quickly as possible. They aim to provide education to patients too on PrEP and HIV prevention/treatment.
- Del Ambiente: A non-profit organization that encourages and focuses on the holistic development of the LGBTQ+ Puerto Rican community in Florida. Through events and activities, Del Ambiente educates, supports, and creates a safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
- onePulse Foundation: The Foundation was established to create a sanctuary of hope following the tragic day in American history–Sunday, June 12, 2016–to honor the 49 Angels that were taken, the 68 others who were injured and the countless first responders and healthcare professionals who treated them.
- One Orlando Alliance: A coalition of LGBTQIA+ serving organizations transforming Central Florida into a community where all LGBTQIA+ people can belong and thrive. One Orlando Alliance offers resources and support through collaborative efforts with organizations and individuals.
- Orlando Youth Alliance: Offering a weekly peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQ youth in Central Florida since 1990, the OYA has three weekly groups in Orlando, Lakeland, and Longwood. In addition to the support group and activities, OYA provides LGBT History & Cultural classes, scholarships, career exploration and mental health referrals.
- OQTAA: The Orlando Queer and Trans Asian Association empowers the queer and trans Asian identity through community and culture. From their book club and movie nights to clothing swaps and activities, OQTAA offers a supportive space for the Central Florida AAPI community to grow and thrive.
- PFLAG of Greater Orlando (chapters across the state too!): A group of LGBTQIA+ people, parents, families, and allies that lead with love to support the community and ensure that LGBTQIA+ people are safe, celebrated, empowered, and affirmed. Through meetings and activities, PFLAG offers a safe space for the community to thrive, grow, and find support from others.
- PRISM Florida: An organization working to expand access to LGBT-inclusive education and sexual health resources for youth in Florida. PRISM provides educational resources, a STI clinic search, and a network of support for high school and college student leaders.
- PRISM at Rollins College: A student led organization on campus that focuses on creating safe spaces and an inclusive environment for those of the LGBTQIA+ community, focusing on the students and faculty at Rollins College.
- Queerlando: A community page on Instagram that boosts Orlando local LGBTQIA+ led and friendly events, places, and people. Queerlando posts events and more on their story to promote safe spaces within the Central Florida community.
- Queer Latinx: A grassroots racial, social, and gender justice organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ Latinx community. Founded in response to the Pulse Nightclub shooting, QLatinx brings members of the local community together by building a supportive infrastructure to address inequity and promoting inclusionary practices for local leadership.
- Rollins Student Center for Inclusion and Belonging: Rollins College provides mental health counseling and services that are identity driven and focused towards students that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, are questioning, or are allies.
- Rose Dynasty Foundation: A non-profit working with LGBTQ+ youth and raising money for local charities, Rose Dynasty Foundation strives to provide a safe and family friendly atmosphere for all people no matter the gender, race, sexual orientation, and/or religion. This organization mentors LGBTQ+ youth while working with youth of all ages on the autism spectrum too.
- SPEKTRUM Health: An organization that provides top quality comprehensive primary health care options for LGBTQA+ individuals and to empower individuals to achieve their peak mental and physical health goals. SPEKTRUM offers HRT, mental health counseling, primary care, and HIV prevention and treatment.
- The Bubble at Rollins College: A campus newsletter devoted to amplifying the voices of Rollins community members of color, LGBTQIA+ community members, and other marginalized groups on campus to burst the Rollins Bubble.
- UCF LGBTQ+ Services: Connecting the diverse student population to opportunities, resources, and each other to achieve the vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBTQ+ people and its allies.
- Safe Zone Workshops: A program for UCF students, staff and faculty members interested in showing visual support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning (GLBTQ) persons at the university.
- UCF Pride Student Association: A community of students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, nonbinary, asexual, and all of the above. PSA focuses on discussing issues impacting the LGBTQ+ on the campus, city, county, state and federal levels.
- Valencia College Gay Straight Alliance at East and West campuses: GSA provides a safe space for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and as allies at the higher education level at Valencia College. Through meetings, activities, and events, students come together to provide support, love, and belonging to all people.
- Zebra Youth: A network of organizations which provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24. The Youth assists young people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability.