With Florida’s shifting political landscape and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, LGBTQ+ college students are facing increasingly limited support, especially here on campus at FAU.
The closure of the Center for IDEAS marked a significant loss of physical, affirming space for queer students. While campus resources may be dwindling, off-campus organizations across South Florida continue to step up, offering a vital safety net for young LGBTQ+ adults.
There are many off-campus resources for students to access, and they are right here in our backyard, providing everything from affirming health care and therapy to voter engagement and grassroots organizing.
Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center
Compass is Palm Beach County’s LGBTQ+ Community Center, located in Lake Worth Beach. They offer a range of services that include free HIV and STI testing, access to PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPep, as well as free condoms, lube, and Plan B.
For students under 22, Compass also provides free LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and referrals to therapy and other mental health resources. Social support is a major backbone of their work, especially through Entourage. Entourage is a weekly social and support peer group for LGBTQ+ young adults ages 18 to 30. It meets every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. for game nights, arts and crafts, movie nights, and life skills workshops.
Compass annually hosts Palm Beach Pride each March, hosting a two-day festival and parade to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Compass also offers direct support and case management for people living with HIV/AIDS. CAN Community Health, the on-site clinic located at Compass’ center, offers LGBTQ-affirming primary care, treatment, and support for STIs, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS, as well as access to PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPep.
For many students and adults, Compass is a one-stop resource for both physical and mental health care.
Learn more about Compass here.
PRISM
Founded by young people for young people, PRISM is a youth-led non-profit that works to expand access to LGBTQ-inclusive education and sexual health resources in South Florida. They offer the opportunity for young people to get involved and learn more about a variety of topics such as mental health, LGBTQ+ topics, sexual education, harm reduction, and more. PRISM also encourages youth to be informed and politically active, pushing to register young voters and to stay educated on current issues.
PRISM’s Student Ambassador Program (P-SAP), a network of GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) and other LGBTQ+ student organizations, connects high school and college students across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. Ambassadors receive leadership development, join a network of LGBTQ+ student leaders, and gain opportunities to volunteer and take action in their communities.
With a fully youth-run staff and a strong focus on peer-led education, PRISM is a space for students looking to make a difference.
Learn more about PRISM here.
Youth Action Fund
The Youth Action Fund is a statewide initiative that supports student-led activism and grassroots organizing across Florida. Through the SPARK program, they help youth run their own advocacy campaigns on issues they are passionate about, and provide the training, financial support, and resources to do so. They cover issues ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to climate justice, unionization, and reproductive freedom.
They encourage mobilization through organizing efforts, help young folks stay informed, and encourage youth to speak out about what they believe in. Youth Action Fund helps amplify student voices in a time when they are being stifled.
Currently, FAU students are encouraged to get involved in their initiative “FAU Icebreakers.” This is a campaign in response to FAU Police Department’s recent agreement with ICE. Mel Saucedo, Advising Director for YAF, encourages students to get involved. Even if they aren’t comfortable leading an entire campaign solo, “There are young people on campuses doing the work all across South Florida, and they need your help!”
She encourages students to get involved with campaigns that are already ongoing, like FAU Icebreakers, and to go after what they are passionate about. We discussed in great length how important it is for LGBTQ+ students to get involved, especially with the lack of physical resources on campus.
Our voices are constantly being erased and ignored; YAF empowers LGBTQ+ students to stand up and fight back.
Learn more about Youth Action Fund here.
Transpire Help
Transpire Help is a West Palm Beach-based initiative that supports LGBTQ+ individuals in recovery. They work with Inspire Recovery, a local treatment center for LGBTQ+ folks struggling with substance use. They connect people to substance use treatment, mental health care, housing, employment opportunities, sexual health education, and more.
The Gender Diversity Support group, a safe space for people to connect and explore their identities together. They also host the “Queers Got Talent” annual fundraiser, which is an open stage opportunity for LGBTQ+ folks. Their collaboration with Inspire Recovery also includes Pride on the Block, an annual Pride festival featuring LGBTQ+ artists, local vendors, and performances.
Transpire Help’s commitment to recovery and resilience has made it a lifeline for many students navigating addiction and identity in tandem.
Learn more about Transpire here.
These incredible organizations provide crucial resources and services at a time when institutional support is shrinking. While students at FAU and across Florida may feel the impact of policy changes and campus closures, the broader LGBTQ+ community is still here for young queer people. Whether you're looking for therapy, healthcare, community, or ways to take action, these groups prove that support is alive and well, just beyond the campus gates.
Our community is strong, and we will continue to be here, no matter how hard they try to erase us.
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