Happy Pride Month! What began as “Gay Pride Day” to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, Pride has grown into a month-long series of events that honor the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. As the celebrations continue, we want to shine a light on organizations that have applied to the My LA2050 Grants Challenge which build connections, provide safe spaces, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community:

• The Los Angeles LGBT Center - Now the largest LGBTQ+ organization in the world, the center provides health services, social services, housing, produces live performances, host exhibitions and leads efforts to help end anti-LGBT bigotry in schools.
• The C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group - Formed in 2005, C.I.T.Y. x1 is dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ youth with a safe space that links them to transitional living, educational programs, emotional support, GED enrollment and HIV & STD Testing.
• Outfest - Founded by UCLA students in 1982, Outfest promotes equality through creating, sharing and protecting LGBTQ+ stories on screen and in the media.
• API Equality- LA - One of the most well-established organizations dedicated to the political engagement of LGBTQ+ people of color, API Equality-LA organizes community members to take action on equality issues.
• Heart of Art Gallery - Run by women in South LA, Heart of Art Gallery serves as a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to create and present their art.

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash