Nearly every American’s healthcare is under attack. But the LGBTQ community is drawing extra hate from Republicans in Washington and Tallahassee. There have been funding cuts to HIV prevention and treatment, severely restricted access to trans care and aggressive indifference towards mental health. This leaves service organizations struggling to do more with less.

Our Fund is stepping up to fill the gaps. They recently awarded $440,000 in grants to groups that support LGBTQ health. From Broward House’s mobile testing to Alliance for LGBTQ+ Youth in Miami-Dade’s mental health care, the money will reach a broad cross-section of the community.

“This is the most we’ve ever granted out in one evening and we’re thrilled to be doing this,” Our Fund CEO David Jobin said. “People really stepped up.”

Many of the grantees are recognizable names that have been serving the community for years, including Latinos Salud, Poverello, YES Institute and more. But there was also a new name on the list, Out My Closet. That group operates in New York and South Florida, creating pop up boutiques that have everything from clothes, accessories, and makeup.

“We believe in dignity and choice,” founder Michael Narain told the crowd. “We create these elevated boutiques for our under housed, under resourced LGBTQ youth and our trans folks who can shop til the drop all for free.”

After the presentation, Narain talked with OutSFL about how the money will help propel their mission.

“This is a lifeline for our work. This allows us to sustain and show up, especially in these critical times.”

This Saturday, Our Fund will recognize influential philanthropists during an event at the Broward Center.