End of year lists 2023
Hello everyone. This will be the last Queer Friendly Nonprofit of the year, as I donβt think people would read this next week. For all of you who observe Christmas, I hope you have a Merry and Healthy Christmas.
At the end of the year, I know many people do their end of the year lists. In that tradition, for the Queer Friendly Nonprofit, I wanted to make a list of great, small nonprofits. While there are amazing large national nonprofits doing great work, including GLSEN, HRC, and The Trevor Project, many people know about these organizations and donate/support them. Therefore, I wanted to make a list of some nonprofits doing grassroots work around the US. If you are making end of the year donations, I hope you will consider these or other queer-focused nonprofits:
Pride Center West Texas: Based out of Odessa, TX, the Pride Center West Texas (PCWT) is fairly new, opening in 2020. They have youth drop-in groups, supports for adults and a PFLAG group for parents. They also host the Pride celebration for the Permian Basin community, which brought in 1000 people last year. They are a small nonprofit but provide important supports to the area.
QLatinx: Based out of Orlando, FL, QLatinx is an organization that supports and empowers the queer latinx community of central Florida. Taking an intersectional approach to the needs of queer people, QLatinx offers immigrant supports and advocacy, health and reproductive supports, and supports for those who are diagnosed with HIV. They collaborate with other arts organizations to focus on art activism and connect it to voting.
Arkansas Black Gay Menβs Forum: Based out of Little Rock, AK, the BGM Forum is focused on responding to health, social, and economic disparities of Black men. They created the Utopia LGBTQ Health & Wellness Program to support the Black LGBTQ community of Central Arkansas. They also act as a think tank.
Louisiana Trans Advocates: Working to support and empower trans individuals across Louisiana, with a focus on those in rural areas of Louisiana, LTA is based out of Lafayette, LA. They have online and in-person support groups across LA, support for those who need to change their names on documents, and a directory of trans-affirming faith based communities. They also keep up on trans legislation and provide guidance on how to advocate for trans rights in Louisiana.
South Dakota Transformation Project: Based out of Sioux Falls, SD, the Transformation Project supports the stateβs only LGBTQIA+ center, the Prism Center. They also provide free counseling services, youth events, and community health. Their podcast, βBecoming Visibleβ highlights trans stories and lives in South Dakota.
The Center Project: Based out of Columbia, MO, The Center Project provides a lot of important services to the residents of central Missouri. This includes an emergency fund for housing, transportation, and other basic needs. They also provide clothes and accessories which are gender affirming in an environment that is supportive and provide guidance on the name change process, which can be difficult.
There are great nonprofits working across the US and the world building a community, especially in places where it is no longer safe to be openly LGBTQIA+. As we head into 2024, we are going to see a ramping up of transgender rights being used as a wedge issue by people who are just bullies looking for a convenient scapegoat. It is important to support the queer community and, when possible, celebrate queer joy!