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Select a year to view grant recipients and learn more about our Changemaker grant projects.
Overview
S5 [2026-2027]
S4 [2025 – 2026]
S3 [2024 – 2025]
S2 [2023 – 2024]
S1 [2022 – 2023]
Since 2022, It Gets Better has awarded almost $1.8 million to LGBTQ+ youth-led initiatives in schools and communities across the U.S. and Canada. From Pride proms and queer closets to mental health zines and inclusive STEM events, we have funded 186 projects, representing 49 states in the United States and 9 provinces and territories in Canada, that have turned bold ideas into real, lasting change. To date, our projects have impacted over 112,000 LGBTQ+ young people.
It Gets Better: Changemakers exists because we believe in the power of young people to lead. When LGBTQ+ youth are given access to resources and support, they don’t just imagine a better world; they build it.
Explore the tabs to get an insight into each of these incredible projects and their impacted communities during each grant year.
Each year, we are proud to empower LGBTQ+ young leaders through funding and support to make their power felt. Inclusive STEM events, free resources, joyful events, and accessible educational opportunities are just a few of the projects that are transforming communities across the country through sustainable change.
It Gets Better: Changemakers proves that young people are natural leaders. When they are given opportunities to build a better world for themselves and their peers, they don’t wait. They bring it to life.
This year’s grantees are building spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their communities to thrive. To thrive with more information, with more resources, with more opportunities. Scroll through to see the sort of magic that happens when queer youth bravely create new realities.
It Gets Better: Changemakers is made possible with the generous support of MAC VIVA GLAM Fund, AE Foundation, Converse, Tumblr and Humble Bundle.
Stay updated with what our 2026-2027 Changemakers grant projects are up to by scrolling below! Photos, articles, and project details are updated throughout the grant year. Read the launch post Season 5’s grantees here.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Youth in Interior Alaska will be are creating a youth-led summer program that combines day camp and an overnight camp experience to build community, leadership skills, and explore the majestic outdoors. Last year, they created and published four youth zines (excerpt below).
Tempe, Arizona
After an incredible first year, these passionate student leaders are expanding their reach of inclusive STEM in Arizona. They will use the children’s book and activity book created with their last grant to create inclusive curriculum for students of all ages across the state.
“I feel grateful that we have such an amazing partner to aid us in our journey to make robotics more open and accessible for not just members of the LGBTQ+ community, but all people.”
Cathedral City, California
For LGBTQ+ youth in the Coachella Valley, this youth summit is one of the only places they can belong. They are planning on making their conference more accessible to more youth, bringing in more than 300 youth across their region.
Los Angeles, California
As part of a new arts initiative, LGBTQ+ youth partnered with queer street artist Little Ricky to paint a bespoke mural at the West LA Courthouse Skate Plaza for Pride. The theme was waves, paying homage to the history of the skatepark and LGBTQ+ youth’s ability to flow and grow, just like water.
Upland, California
Homecoming will be reclaimed in this incredible LGBTQ+ youth event in California. It isn’t an “alternative event tucked away from ‘real’ homecoming. It’s the real thing, built by young people who know exactly what they deserve.”
Boulder, Colorado
How can you learn without access to knowledge? LGBTQ+ youth are taking this responsibility directly in their own hands by leading focus groups on sexual health education in their school district in order to create a new curriculum that fills in any gaps and meets the needs of queer and disabled students in Colorado.
Louisville, Kentucky
Joy is radical, joy is loud, and joy is contagious. In Kentucky, youth will put on three large, affirming community events: a Halloween Party, Pride Prom, and Lavender graduation, all in the hopes of creating a network of youth leaders who are confident and skilled enough to create these events, and inspire hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth to demand more spaces to experience deep joy, affirmation, and safety at key milestone events.
“In a state where restrictive policies have tried to silence and isolate our young people, receiving the It Gets Better grant is a vital lifeline. This support allows Louisville Youth Group to equip our youth with tangible leadership skills while expanding our reach to rural communities, ensuring that every LGBTQ+ young person in Kentucky knows they have a community standing proudly beside them.” – Sandra Carpenter, Executive Director
Ann Arbor, Michigan
A cohort of youth leaders in Michigan will develop a theatre project through collecting stories of resilience and joy in their community, training as writers, researchers and performers who will engage with young people at their most vulnerable. Together, they will transform these stories into a powerful, original script to be performed fro students and educators across their school district.
“Something that brings me hope is that there are still people trying to change things for the better.”
Elk River, Minnesota
In rural Minnesota, with fewer resources and spaces to feel whole, this project will create free and affirming equine-facilitated healing experiences for LGBTQ+ youth. Here, they hope to find a “safe ground to stand on.”
Missoula, Montana
In Montana, LGBTQ+ youth had the opportunity to attend an incredible Queer Prom with the theme “Midnight on the Bayou,” a celebration of warmth, water and wonder. Nearly two dozen young people were able to have their hair and makeup done for free, ensuring that everyone showed up to the event confident and affirmed. In the winter, they will host a years-end Snow Ball, an evening of connection, joy, and self-expression during a time of year that can be isolating for many youth.
New York City, New York
For so many LGBTQ+ youth, their other identities can make finding affirming spaces nearly impossible. Queer Jewish New York were able to experience a milestone celebration exactly in the way that affirms their entire being. Of course, the theme was Zootopia.
New York City, New York
In the second edition of our Pride art initiatives, LGBTQ+ youth partnered with queer street artist Little Ricky and Dusty Rebel to paint a mural in the East Village of New York. Focusing on the theme of being a “pink sheep,” participants were able to get paint all over their clothes and be a part of a local tradition.
Asheville, North Carolina
In an effort to address physical boundaries impacting LGBTQ+ youth, such as a lack of infrastructure after Hurricane Helene and restrictive new legislation, this project is launching a critical lifeline: a free mobile store for queer and trans youth in rural North Carolina. By creating an additional mobile version of the store at their youth center, they will be able to deliver gender-affirming supplies and resources directly to communities that need them right now.
“It’s encouraging to me every time I’m sitting in the space and someone goes over there and they leave smiling because they found something they needed.”
Columbus, Ohio
Since the 1990s, Other Prom has been a safer haven for young people in Ohio to dress in ways that reflect who they are and dance with whomever they choose. Last year, for the first time in nearly 30 years, the event was cancelled due to a lack of funding. With Changemakers, Other Prom was brought back. Hosted at the Lincoln theatre, LGBTQ+ youth came dressed to the nines (the theme was, fittingly, COSProm) to enjoy a fabulous space full of affirming art, games, and, most importantly, dance.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Halloween is a queer milestone event: the costumes, the play on words, the fun. For youth in their community in South Dakota, school events are too far outside fo reach. They are looking to create something different: a night where young people can wear the costume that makes them happiest, bring the friends they love, and dance without worrying about being judged.
This is the year transformation happened. For the first three seasons, our grantgiving program was called 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices., our vision for a world where LGBTQ+ students across the United States would be able to make a positive impact in their schools. This year, we updated that vision to reflect the truth LGBTQ+ youth were showing us – that they are Changemakers.
Our current season of It Gets Better: Changemakers grantees are hard at work improving their schools and communities! This year’s grantees have launched the most creative, expansive, and powerful set of projects we’ve ever had the honor to support.
Scroll through and see the sort of magic that happens when queer youth take the lead.
Stay updated with what our 2025-2026 Changemakers grant projects are up to by scrolling below! Photos, articles, and project details are updated throughout the grant year. Read the launch post Season 4’s grantees here.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Created and published four zines of their Aurora Queer Youth Zine, which was distributed to local schools, community partners, and local bookstores to eager readers and collectors. The zines feature original artwork, poetry, creative writing, educational content, and reflections by queer youth, for queer youth.
“The Aurora Queer Youth Zine went so far beyond just a published zine, it became a beacon of hope and a supportive community. It became a place where young people could see themselves reflected, better understand one another’s experiences, and realize they are part of a creative, resilient, and supportive community. Whether someone contributed a poem, attended a workshop, picked up a copy at school, or quietly found comfort in a story that reminded them they weren’t alone, this project helped strengthen connection and belonging for LGBTQ+ youth across our community.”
Organized spaces for queer students to feel safe and welcomed in experiencing STEM, reaching over 500 students in Arizona, empowering students to feel confident in who they are, helping queer students gain access to high paying jobs in the future, and more. Their goals weren’t just accomplished; they were obliterated. 17 events, a children’s book and activity book, a Teen Resource Fair focused on STEM and mental health, and a multi-team robotics alliance brought STEM to 707 local LGBTQ+ youth and 2200 youth overall.
Check out an incredible article with LGBTQ Nation highlighting their project.
Created one of the largest gatherings of LGBTQ+ youth in their area, serving over 300 youth and their allies for this incredible annual summit.
Los Angeles, California
Designed a student-centered initiative, “This is Me,” to affirm LGBTQ+ identities, strengthen belonging and identity safety, and build a more inclusive school culture. Their curriculum was delivered to all 200 students at their school, creating a sustainable format that can be replicated for future students.
San Diego, California
Hosted the most enchanted Queer Prom, transforming a beautiful space into a night full of wonder for LGBTQ+ youth to access a critical high school experience.
“I never thought I would go to a prom. Thank you for having a queer prom.” – Youth Attendee
Ansonia, Connecticut
Collaborated on “Acting Out With Shakespeare,” where students explored gender roles using some of the world’s most famous plays.
“What brings me hope are the number of people standing up for what they believe in around the world. It’s easy to feel divided in today’s society but knowing that so many people of different backgrounds care about queer lives makes it so much easier to believe in a better future.” – Youth Leader
North Haven, Connecticut
Increased teen programming from once a month to three gatherings a month, creating a consistent presence in the lives of local LGBTQ+ youth. Relationships deepened, attendance became more consistent, and teens were able to finally have an affirming third space.
“Perhaps most importantly, these gatherings have demonstrated that LGBTQ+ youth deserve more than occasional events. They deserve a consistent community where they can laugh, learn, celebrate, and simply exist without fear of judgment.”
District of Columbia
Provided a space for LGBTQ+ youth to share their voice to create magic together. Their 10th anniversary show was a visual representation of LGBTQ+ youth and the community. Through this project, the chorus presented a sold-out, professionally produced, and beautifully sung 10th anniversary show.
Lake Worth, Florida
Hosted a Youth Equality Prom, an evening full of joy, affirmation, and young people showing up exactly how they wanted to. Attendees described feeling an increased sense of joy simply from knowing that events like this were created just for them, in a state where so few resources are available for LGBTQ+ youth.
“Many expressed gratitude for the chance to create a happy, affirming memory of being authentically themselves which was difficult to do during what has been a difficult year for LGBTQ+ youth broadly.” – Youth Leader
Miami, Florida
Created a series of sixteen videos designed to inform LGBTQ+ youth, primarily Spanish-speaking youth, on topics deeply important to their community. Topics include: “How different cultures view LGBTQ+ people,” “The Freedom to Love,” and “Healthy Ways to Cope as an LGBTQ+ youth.”
Pompano, Florida
Designed and implemented Blooming, necessary skills course for LGBTQ+ youth to succeed in life beyond the classroom. Topics for their “self-sufficiency” classes included health, laundry basics, financial literacy, career skills building, and a kitchen basics class. With the grant, they were able to do so much more than they originally planned. Through their gender affirming resource drives, they were able to provide resources to at least 30 LGBTQ+ teens who needed access to free resources.
“They bloomed into capable, queer, young adults who will always carry these experiences with them. So did I. Thank you for this marvelous opportunity, I am forever grateful for the impact I was able to create in my community.” – Youth Leader
Rome, Georgia
Created a Queer Care Closet, directly serving over 500 LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Georgia, with the goal of creating an accessible source of free, gender-affirming clothing for young people in need.
“For many LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those without family acceptance or the financial means to purchase affirming clothing, access to gender-affirming items can have an incredible effect on confidence, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. The Closet provides a space where youth can explore and express their authentic identities without cost, judgment, or fear.” – Youth Leader
DeKalb, Illinois
Created a well-being closet and pantry for all youth in the area to have an inclusive space to access vital resources.
Whiteland, Indiana
Hosted a Queer Prom open to their entire region so that students could feel beautiful and joyful.
Carmel, Indiana
Hosted a grassroots, local youth Pride festival in Indiana expanded to become a full blown community celebration.
“It is one thing for kids to hear that they are supported and loved, but to actually see it can be life changing.” – Youth Leader
New Orleans, Louisiana
Created and hosted Cirque du Slay, a fun and fabulous celebration of their local New Orleans and LGBTQ+ culture as their Queer Prom. Teens were treated to their makeup done by MAC artists, thanks to our incredible partner MAC VIVA GLAM fund.
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Published stories of LGBTQ+ youth, transforming lived experience into a force for cultural change and collective imagination. This project, Beyond the Binary: Stories that Shift Culture, was a free, year-round program that hosted creative workshops, podcasts, and published incredible collections. Students produced original writing, visual art, and audio storytelling centered on identity, belonging, resilience, and imagination. Beyond the Binary: Stories that Shift Culture is a rare and affirming space where students could articulate identity without translation or justification.
Created Amplify the Arch, the greater St. Louis Metro region’s first and first free LGBTQ+ youth conference, led by Phi Chanda, a former Youth Voice! The goal of the project was to give queer youth in their region something that many felt was missing one place where young people could meet each other, learn about resources in their area, talk openly about their struggles, and have fun. They welcomed over 300 attendees from across Missouri and Illinois, with some even traveling from Arkansas and Indiana.
Rochester, New York
Developed the The I’m Here Project, a gender-affirming clothing swap and ongoing collective art initiative where 2SLGBTQIA+ young people tell their stories by transforming an old piece of clothing into a personal art canvas. Their launch event combined a free clothing swap, a collaborative art station, and gender-affirming supply distribution in one welcoming space, giving attendees a reason to gather, and a hands-on and safe way to feel seen and celebrated for who they are.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Published the Queer Issue is Now, their organization’s first LGBTQ+ themed literary publication. It created a new platform for LGBTQ+ youth to publish original writing and artwork while also providing meaningful leadership opportunities for student editors. The publication features 29 pieces of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction by teen writers from around the world.
“Rather than creating a political statement, the project created a collection of youth-written literature that will reach and inspire thousands of LGBTQ+ youth both in and out of the classroom. The stories and voices of LGBTQ+ youth matter.” – Youth Leader
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Transformed an empty space to a third space intentionally designed for and by youth. 13 youth leaders contributed to the planning, decision-making, and implementation, ensuring that the space reflects the voices and needs of the young people it serves. Their vision also included making the space accessible, ultimately having a stairlift installed.
“Every element of the space – from the youth-designed layout and custom-built art table to the accessible stairlift and memorial display – reflects the voices and values of the young people who helped create it. Thanks to this grant, a vision first imagined nearly two years ago has become a permanent home for connection, inclusion and youth leadership.”
Salt Lake, Odgen, Heber, and Provo, Utah
Organized four Pride Carnivals across the state of Utah. Each of the four carnivals had a host of different activities. In Salt Lake, they had a gender affirming closet, and art market highlighting local queer artists, and a “really free market.” Every attendee left with more things than they came with.
Hardwick, Vermont
Hosted two critical events, a Queer Youth Dance and a Youth Summit, that engaged with LGBTQ+ youth across the region in affirmative and unforgettable experiences.
Fairfax, Virginia
Created a youth-driven LGBTQ+ youth support program designed to foster community, highlight intersectionality, and reduce isolation through peer-led and therapist-supported groups and events.
Camas, Washington
Brought a third space from concept to reality. The empty space has become full of furniture, food, clothing for basic needs, art supplies, books, and a button maker. In an unplanned but meaningful expansion, they also adopted a Free Pantry, a freestanding structure outside the building.
When they found out during the government shutdown that SNAP benefits would run out and members of their community would be without vital resources, they stepped up, began collecting food, and turned their soon-to-be space into a drop-off location. Within two weeks, they were able to gather over 2700 pounds of non-perishable food and menstrual products to be donated to two local food pantries.
Seattle, Washington
Brought communities together through mentorship, storytelling, artistic expression, and community dialogue. Their project ensured that Black queer youth were not only seen and heard but also positioned as leaders and change makers within their communities. Over the course of the grant period, the SEE ME Project successfully engaged 25 Black LGBTQ+ youth through an innovative barbershop dialogue initiative. These conversations transformed trusted community spaces into places of healing, mentorship, and affirmation while strengthening relationships between youth and caring adults.
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Created “Authentically Us,” a community celebration of the artistic talents of local LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. The 42 pieces of artwork by young people were on display for one beautiful day-long event, featuring works of poetry, 3D design, paintings, and clay. At the event, the resource fair highlighted 15 organizations, with many attendees not aware that their county even had these resources available.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Created the Successor Ballroom/Drag Show Initiative of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center to preserve and celebrate Ballroom culture while investing in the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, particularly Black and Brown LGBTQ+ youth Throughout the year, the center developed and implemented a comprehensive youth development curriculum rooted in Ballroom culture. Participants explored runway, choreography, makeup, and costume development. Every workshop intentionally blended artistic development with life skills like leadership, communication, planning and problem-solving.
“Ballroom became the vehicle, but youth development was always the destination.”
During the 2024-2025 grant cycle, we distributed 25 grants, including 3 Queer Proms and Homecomings sponsored by MAC VIVA GLAM Fund – representing 20 of the United States, including Florida and Idaho for the first time.
One project at a time, these students are reshaping what’s possible in their schools, bringing us closer to the world we envision: one where all LGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally, connect to their communities, and know their power as individuals. These projects, driven by students, created lasting change in their communities.
View more information about our 2024-25 Changemakers grant projects on the map or descriptions below. Curious where these projects started? Read the launch post here.
Designed, built and installed three Little Free Libraries full of LGBTQ+ books in their community. Added books to their GSA library to ensure accessibility and safety for students and staff. Hosted a community storytelling event, “Open Book,” at a local art gallery celebrating youth voices, affirming stories, and community efforts.
Phoenix, Arizona
Collaborated with students from eight school sites, parents, staff and school board members to provide professional development to staff, create and distribute materials across the network on affirming LGBTQ+ resources, and hosting events that focused on hope.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hosted their “Clutch Your Pearls” event, a game-show style setting for youth and adults to discuss healthy relationships and communication. Hosted a Holiday Mental Health Workshop, an all-day mental health fair to give young people tools to navigate this challenging time of year.
Cathedral City, California
Hosted their Rainbow Youth Summit, a transformative day-long event that brought together LGBTQ+ youth across the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. The space provided many students with their first experience of being in a majority LGBTQ+ space. 89% of participants reported feeling “significantly more connected to their LGBTQ+ identity” after attending the summit.
Los Angeles, California
Created a peer-led space to offer mutual support that focused on creative self-expression and intersectionality with their majority Queer Latinx experience across 22 group sessions, including teachers, students, administrators and mental health professionals. Throughout the year, students created zines along prompts “I am proud of my identities because…”, “What queer means to me is…”, “How I cope with my feelings is…”, and “Queer Acts of Joy and/or Resistance…”
Los Angeles, California
Hosted a celebratory and extravagant Queer Prom for a local high school, complete with their makeup done by professionals!
Gypsum, Colorado
Built a safer and more inclusive school culture through peer education and ally workshops, hosting a beautiful Queer Prom, and growing their GSA. GSA members developed a curriculum for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the classroom and led an interactive panel session for teachers and school staff covering language, allyship, and how to intervene with bullying.
Winsted, Connecticut
Attended LGBTQ+ leadership events and summits throughout the state, connecting them to other youth pride clubs. Expanded their Rainbow Library into a full room, creating space for all students to read and rest.
Miami, Florida
Launched Taboo Talk with David, a series focused on honest conversations about identity, health, relationships, body image, and other experiences. All were framed through the lived experiences of high school students in South Florida.
Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Attended Honolulu Pride, the highlight of their GSA student’s middle school experience. Students across Oahu met and got to make friends outside of their own school.
Boise, Idaho
Designed and launched their permanent LGBTQ+ student safe space in their school library, complete with furniture, a resource shelf, and over 150 LGBTQ+ books. Hosted a launch party with author Aiden Thomas.
Pocatello, Idaho
Responded to local legislation removing “objectionable” materials by adding more LGBTQ+ books to the GSA classrooms of two high schools, and designing banners and T-shirts to be displayed proudly.
Dubuque, Iowa
Hosted a joyful Queer Prom, led by one of our Youth Voices!
Muscatine, Iowa
Created four unisex bathrooms, complete with “Everyone is Welcome” posters, resource pockets, menstrual products, and storage cubes in every one as a response to legislation that made accessing bathrooms more challenging for trans and nonbinary youth.
Ellicott City, Maryland
Provided LGBTQ+ students the opportunity to be intentional with their story through the second year of “Navigating the Margins.” Students learned from authors, with the second edition of their book published! Some of the proudest moments for students involved exposing the community to the experiences of marginalized young people, and provide a better understanding of their stories.
Boston, Massachusetts
Hosted a full year of LGBTQ+ events for their school, including a Winter Fest: End of the Year with Queer Cheer, Valentine’s Gay, a bake sale raising funds for a local LGBTQ+ organization, and a Pride Ball. They also provided a required professional development workshop for their staff.
Jackson, Mississippi
Created spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to feel safe, express themselves freely and connect with others who are supportive through an afterschool arts program. They saw a 35% increase in attendance, with over 80% of surveyed students saying they reported feeling more comfortable, accepted and supported within the space.
Ramseur, North Carolina
Created a resource hub for LGBTQ+ youth in their community, including a website containing local and national resources for emotional support and encouraging messages for LGBTQ+ youth. Donated LGBTQ+ books to local libraries and high schools.
McKees Rock, Pennsylvania
Strengthened their GSA’s reach through lunch and learns with teachers to improve their classrooms for LGBTQ+ students, with teachers proudly displaying their “safe space” stickers from the training.
Warren, Rhode Island
Hosted two professional development sessions for staff and student assemblies on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Assemblies were tailored by grade level, allowing students to engage in a safe and informative environment.
El Paso, Texas
Established a Queer Bilingual Lending Library featuring LGBTQ+ youth books on identity, mental health, and wellness available at the school library. Created a gender-affirming closet for students to access.
Houston, Texas
Hosted a Queer Homecoming celebration for their local community hosted by one of our Youth Voices.
Seattle, Washington
Hosted the Community and Culture Conference for over 150 students from all high schools in Seattle. Held over 25 workshops from queer and trans community members. Continued to be a space for LGBTQ+ youth to connect with one another across their city.
Charleston, West Virginia
Hosted leadership training for their LGBTQ+ youth leaders, a Teacher Appreciation Week activity encouraging closer connections between LGBTQ+ students and supportive teachers, and awarded graduation cords to LGBTQ+ leaders.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hosted over 200 students across Milwaukee for the district-wide LGBTQ+ Student Leadership Summit, a unique networking and learning opportunity. Students learned tangible tools and resources to take back to their own schools to educate their entire community to create safer, more inclusive and bolder schools.
Our largest grantee class to date, Season 2 was a whirlwind explosion of LGBTQ+ pride and joy across not only the United States, but Canada as well. In the United States, we funded 53 projects representing 38 state. In collaboration with our affiliate, It Gets Better Canada, we were able to support 14 projects in Canada representing 9 provinces and territories.
In Season 2, our grantees served over 42,265 students through their diverse and empowering projects. These students got to experience joy, pride, and hope in a political and social climate that has taught them not to. Their projects fostered resilience and a sense of community, providing a beacon of support and encouragement to LGBTQ+ youth in challenging times.
Since 2024, It Gets Better Canada has been running their own youth grants, True Voices. Check them out here!
View more information about our 2023-24 Changemakers grant projects on the map or descriptions below. Read the launch post here to see where these projects started out from.
Created an Alberta-wide conference for middle and high school students, focusing mostly on BIPOC and First Nation LGBTQ+ students.
Stony Plain, Alberta
Celebrated with their 2SLGBTQ+ Pride festival, which included speakers and local queer businesses.
Creston, British Columbia
Hosted a series of events, creating a sense of Pride and activism year round.
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Hosted a week long Pride Week with themed activities and an unbelievably cool queer prom with live music by local queer band.
Brandon, Manitoba
Created a gender neutral changing room and gender resource closet at their school so all students can feel protected.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Supported their GSA and created a mentorship pipeline between LGBTQ+ students at the high school and the middle school.
Nackawic, New Brunswick
Hosted multiple Pride Month events, including hosting a dance and Pride walk.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Created a physical safe space for community outreach and student support, focusing specifically on the rural northern Labrador community and Innu and Inuit populations.
Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Provided mentoring and support to two GSA schools, creating monthly events focused on building community.
Eskasoni, Nova Scotia
Hosted a conference during Mi’kmaq History Month OCT 2023 for students from across Nova Scotia.
Brampton, Ontario
Bolstered their 2SLGBTQIA+ students by creating a gender-affirming closet, hosting a speaker series, and providing mental health resources.
Toronto, Ontario
Hosted a year long Pride activation, including speakers, a mural, and a Parade.
Lachute, Quebec
Established GSAs across the region in nine high schools, hosted a speaker series, and added LGBTQ+ books to their library.
Faro, Yukon
Built the school’s GSA space, connect with other GSAs, and held a Pride event in their city.
United States
Birmingham, Alabama
Created a Pride Garden at a school with over 50% LGBTQ+ students that involved the whole community.
Phoenix, Arizona
Trained their entire district on LGBTQ+ issues and Suicide Awareness month through partnerships with GLSEN and One*n*Ten. They also painted a mural!
Little Rock, Arkansas
Uplifted their community through hosting activities in the Family Zone of Arkansas Pride. They also focused on mental health, giving LGBTQ+ youth resources like workshops around the holidays, bringing in local therapy practices to give resources, and hosting a game-show style event teaching safe dating and relationship habits.
Anaheim, California
Reestablished their GSA after COVID-19 shut them down. The small but eager group of students organized student-teacher workshops, a week full of Pride events, and events during Teen Dating Violence Awareness month for their primarily Latine community.
Baldwin Park, California
Built upon their current Pride Garden by using the space to host an LGBTQ+ culture club to teach students about queer history and art, even presenting at the Huntington Gardens. They created a “Power of…” workshop series where students would feel empowered to learn about protest, history, and story.
Hayward, California
Partnered with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to host a back-to-school shopping for trans and nonbinary students, created a gender-affirming wardrobe, and hosted a LGBTQ+ community day.
Arvada, Colorado
Created a joyous and celebratory Queer Prom for their entire county.
Ansonia, Connecticut
Continued their Pride celebrations by hosting an LGBTQ+ youth trip to NY and the UN, where their students got to learn the importance of advocacy.
Camden, Delaware
Continued the work done previously by hosting trainings for school staff from multiple schools. Their curricula was entirely student-led, engaged over 5 million students, and led a session for the Federal Department of Education conference.
Decatur, Georgia
Provided wrap-around mental health and LGBTQ+ affirming services for their school. They hosted parent education workshops to help them understand their kids through trauma-informed practices. They also adopted the Signs of Suicide curriculum to all 1800 high school students and 1400 middle school students.
Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Organized over 100 students from four schools to participate in Honolulu Pride, revitalized their GSA club, and fostered community among LGBTQ+ students and their allies, resulting in a 30% reduction in LGBTQ+ related hate speech on campus.
Chicago, Illinois
Celebrated Pride year-round through GSA movie nights, No Name Calling week, and purchasing LGBTQ+ books to be read aloud at a local queer-owned bookstore. Students were also given tools to share their stories from the Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble.
Des Plaines, Illinois
Partnered with a local grassroots organization to host their Community Pride Celebration for students, their families and the entire community.
Waterloo, Illinois
Hosted a full suite of uplifting events for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, like a Homecoming Parade, a movie night, and a creative collaborative. They also donated 219 inclusive books to their local library, allowing their impact to be felt for years to come.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Created a virtual LGBTQ+ resource hub for all youth to be able to access from anywhere. Conducted a survey that found that LGBTQ+ students are now more comfortable at school, and have seen an increased attendance at in-person events.
Waukee, Iowa
Created joyful events for students all over central Iowa, full of connection, speakers, laughter, and even a visit from their favorite local state senator!
Hutchinson, Kansas
Created an art installation, bulletin board of local affirming events, and a Pride Booth, all to help LGBTQ+ students feel celebrated and represented in their local community. Their GSA had a tremendous positive on their school by creating and sharing these resources.
Kansas City, Kansas
Created a training to grow the capacity of staff to understand the smaller moments that cause LGBTQ+ students to be ignored. Increased capacity for the over 30 staff attendees, from Pre-K to high school.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Completed three monumental achievements: opening their QCenter, a space for students to engage with affirming resources and feel supported. Hosting a Day for Queer Youth, where they partnered with local LGBTQ+ organizations to learn from. Performing a piece of theater they created on the steps of the Louisiana capital to encourage lawmakers to recognize their humanity in developing legislation. Read more about their project.
Lewiston, Maine
Supported students by creating safe, inclusive spaces and providing resources such as food, pride flags, and gender-affirming supplies.
Columbia, Maryland
Created a program for students to learn how to share their stories of “being on the margins” by partnering and learning from LGBTQ+ authors, like R. Eric Thomas. Published a collection of short stories, consisting of 23 student stories.
Pocomoke, Maryland
Hosted four LGBTQ+ leadership conferences across the county, including student presentations on intersectionality, allyship, and toxic masculinity. Worked with queer artists to update their GSA mural.
Beverly Hills, Michigan
Hosted countless events that captured the hearts and minds of their community, including the business of Broadway with a local alumni, lunch & learns with the middle + high school students to how “it gets better in high school,” and a field trip to the state capital to discuss important LGBTQ+ issues with Senator Jeremy Moss and watch the Elliot Larsen LGBT Civil Rights Expansion papers be signed.
Dewitt, Michigan
Hosted their state’s first kickball tournament only for LGBTQ+ youth and their families, including a communal sharing of life stories and what it means to be queer in school.
Delano, Minnesota
Hosted an annual GSA picnic, school-wide holiday parties, and added a Pride Board to their school, with the goal of helping LGBTQ+ students and members of the GSA know their is a place for them at school.
Jackson, Mississippi
Continued their afterschool arts program where students came to create, relax, and feel connected to others. Their special project resulted in an illustrated comic guide for LGBTQ+ teens to talk about their issues.
Liberty, Missouri
Hosted an equality Prom for their students, connecting GSAs across the community.
Bennington, Nebraska
Developed an information resource center, including a system for students to access them without outing themselves.
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Brought the GSAs from three local schools together for their first Youth Pride Leadership Conference, teaching valuable skills for how they can increase acceptance in each of their schools.
Hackensack, New Jersey
Amplified queer pride and visibility, focusing on celebration in addition to joy through providing food at each of their events, inviting local authors to learn how to share their stories for change.
Somerset, New Jersey
Developed their Youth Conference, where they learned valuable leadership and financial literacy skills. Their township even presented the club with a proclamation that their efforts were making their town more inclusive!
Nyack, New York
Provided weekly leadership development programming for their students, including intensive workshops on communication, and support on how to transition to adulthood successfully.
Potsdam, New York
Hosted events for their own GSA and mixers with other groups in the region. Created a lending library of inclusive fiction, educational resources, and parent-student guides.
Poughkeepsie, New York
Created their school’s first GSA, took a trip to the local County Pride Center to learn about resources available, and discussed mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Ramseur, North Carolina
Collaborated with a local faith group, showing the power of unity and acceptance. Performed a fifteen-minute long original dance that addressed identity, acceptance, love and friendship at an original night of theatre and dance. Over 35 students were involved and 250 people attended.
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Created the Queer Creatives program, providing a welcoming space for students to connect through art and community events.
Columbus, Ohio
Created a Queer Student Union to host events about queer history and Pride.
Portland, Oregon
Implemented the “History Unerased” curriculum with the goal of increasing representation for LGBTQ+ students and improving empathy for non-LGBTQ+ students. 40+ staff received the training from K-8.
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Built an inclusivity garden for GSA students to improve their community and host inclusive events, like lunch & learns with staff to discuss the impact of deadnaming and how to make classrooms more welcoming.
North Kingston, Rhode Island
Added LGBTQ+ books to their schools English curriculum, adding three texts that celebrate queer joy.
North Charleston, South Carolina
Created a resource closet at a local organization, providing the entire student body with personal hygiene products and LGBTQ+ resources.
Nashville, Tennessee
Created a GSA for their middle school, renovated a gender-inclusive bathroom, and promoted engagement with the Nashville community.
Richardson, Texas
Reestablished their GSA and significantly advanced LGBTQ+ inclusivity through regular meetings, teacher trainings, and successful Pride events.
Heber City, Utah
Developed the creation of the Heber City location of Encircle’s LGBTQ+ affirming homes across Utah as a space for LGBTQ+ youth to find community, peace, and resources.
Park City, Utah
Created a GSA as a consistent, reliable and supportive place for students to feel like themselves and develop their leadership skills. Hosted lunch meetings that had a 100% retention rate.
Colchester, Vermont
Created an impactful LGBTQ+ mural and Pride event, enhancing visibility and fostering a sense of pride and inclusivity within the school.
Salem, Virginia
Transformed their school into a welcoming space through purchasing novels that feature LGBTQ+ authors or characters for English classes, and designing a welcoming and calming space for students in the school.
Bellingham, Washington
Created a Rainbow of Resources closet, providing gender-affirming items to over 112 students throughout the year. Hosted the Over the Rainbow festival, drawing in over 120 attendees.
Chattaroy, Washington
Utilized social media to effectively share information on safe spaces and resources for LGBTQ+ students. Organized a city-wide ice skating event fostering inter-school connections between GSAs.
Seattle, Washington
Hosted their transformative Community and Culture Conference for LGBTQ+ students across Seattle. Brought together students from nearly every high school in the district, hosted informative workshops, and enjoyed drag and ballroom performances.
Charleston, West Virginia
Created “inclusivity zones” across their area; physical spaces where LGBTQ+ students across the schools went to feel supportive and attend events.
Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Facilitated nine enriching outdoor field trips for LGBTQ+ students across multiple schools, ensuring that students have community, mentors, and confidence in themselves.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Created a district-wide GSA Student Leadership Summit, which brought together 150 students from 15 high schools, providing networking opportunities, resources, and workshops aimed at enhancing GSA activities and creating more inclusive school environments.
Our inaugural season of It Gets Better: Changemakers was a massive accomplishment for our organization and for LGBTQ+ youth around the United States. With this program, we have been able to empower LGBTQ+ youth leaders to impact LGBTQ+ youth directly where they are. Thousands of LGBTQ+ youth have been positively impacted since. This was the season that started it all.
Designed and painted a 60’x40′ student mural. They received over 75 submissions for designs, and merged the top 3 into one cohesive design. Hosted a community painting day with over 100 volunteers from the community to paint the mural.
Maricopa, Arizona
Built community within their school and local area to give back through a series of events. RamFest attracted over 1200 students to have fun and gain LGBTQ+ resources. By the end of the year, the GSA was more comfortable being who they are on campus, and three teachers even came out (two of whom had been at the school for years and never had)!
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Created a Gender Inclusive Closet and LGBTQ+ resource library, including formal wear for trans students to wear to prom.
Baldwin Park, California
Built a beautiful, relaxing and LGBTQ+ affirming garden from a disused plot of dirt and trash. They hosted GSA meetings and workshops in the space, including on positive self talk, LGBTQ+ vocabulary, and grounding techniques, leading to a strong positive impact on their student’s mental health.
Oakland, California
Hosted multiple events for the trans community at their school, including an all-expenses-paid shopping trip for 17 students paired with leaders from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, purchasing gender-affirming clothing so they can return to school as their full selves.
San Diego, California
Built a new GSA for their school and increased the presence of other GSAs on six school campuses with high populations of BIPOC and IEP students. Each was given as budget to work on a project of their choosing, including creating a Gender Affirming Closet & Calm area, ordering a GSA bench, and trainings for their leaders.
Telluride, Colorado
Remodeled a pair of single-gender lavatories to become gender-neutral bathrooms. The location of these remodeled facilities is accessible to both the middle school and high school. (Read more about this project here). After winning the grant, their administration promised to provide the finishing funds since their students were so passionate about the project.
Ansonia, Connecticut
Created the Valley Pride Conference for over 100 students, 25 adults, and local organizations in their area.
“The conference made me so happy because I got to see and be a part of a group of people where everyone is similar to me and everyone was unique and accepting. I felt like I belonged there and I got so much joy from seeing all the pride!”
Camden, Delaware
Created the “Proud Schools” LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum for educators and educational advocates after faculty and students at their school couldn’t find the right one. It was presented to a conference for educators and began to be adopted widely.
Student leader Shelby with Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride
Kapolei, Hawaii
Helped parents understand the importance of advocating for LGBTQ+students in schools by centering Native Hawaiian knowledge and education around māhū identity (third gender identity). It was able to bridge conversations related to cultural practices and Western LGBTQ+ topics and language. (Read more about this project here)
Des Plaines, Illinois
Hosted a community-wide Pride celebration, a free and family-friendly space. The community was very grateful to have such an inclusive space.
Goshen, Indiana
Purchased over 100 LGBTQ+ books for the school library in a state where book bans have been enacted.
Carmel, Indiana
Hosted their annual Youth Pride Festival in partnership with over 70 local LGBTQ+ businesses and vendors, gathering over 3000 attendees!
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Purchased affirming and inclusive books for four LGBTQ+ libraries in their rural area. Hosted an LGBTQ+ youth conference where youth were able to have larger conversations about LGBTQ+ rights and representation.
Metairie, Louisiana
Expanded their GSA from 7 students to over 40 active members! Worked with the faculty on trainings to help them learn more about how to respect students pronouns and name changes.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Wrote, filmed, and published a series of training videos, entirely youth-led, for educators focusing on LGBTQ+ knowledge and training.
Bethesda, Maryland
Designed and painted a mural with local LGBTQ+ artists to highlight the community. Hosted school-wide readings of “Rick” by Alex Gino and brought in Joanna Lohman to talk about her experience coming out as a professional soccer player.
Columbia, Maryland
Hosted their third annual Rainbow Conference, only this time it was for the entire county and in person. Had 165 virtual attendees, 155 in person attendees, and over 20 sessions. Students left feeling affirmed and inspired on how to make their schools more inclusive.
Carver, Massachusetts
Updated two LGBTQ+ murals within their school, created gender-inclusive signage for locker rooms and bathrooms at their school, and built up their GSA from 2 students to 30+.
Somerville, Massachusetts
Sent students within their middle school system Pride Packs, providing LGBTQ+ resources to make GSAs feel more accessible for more students.
Portage, Michigan
Created a free closet at their school run and stocked by their GSA, full of accessories and clothes, for all students to access and express themselves.
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Created safe and creative spaces for LGBTQ+ students at their school, resulting in MindSpace: a mental health, zen, QSA room filled with calming lights, resources, fidget toys, and comfortable seating. It even hosts a podcast studio where students record their new podcast for LGBTQ+ students to talk about health, equity, and support. They also developed a resource closet for all students to access affirming clothing!
Richfield, Minnesota
Taught an LGBTQ+ elective class at their middle school, centering on creating community, learning key terms, and discussing intersectionality that had a steady attendance of 20 students! They even partnered with local artists to design a new mural and add LGBTQ+ books to their library appropriate for elementary and middle schoolers.
Jackson, Mississippi
Created an open arts space for LGBTQ+ students and their friends to have access to art supplies to express themselves. They created so much art that they hosted a student art show!
Brookfield, Missouri
Purchased and added 142 new LGBTQ+ books distributed to their school’s English faculty to keep in their classroom libraries.
Columbia, Missouri
Built a gender inclusive closet that helped students discover their style in an accessible way.
Grand Island, Nebraska
Created a dynamic digital mural projected in a central location of their school, allowing students to create murals that can be updated over time!
Surry, New Hampshire
Implemented “History Unerased” and provided professional development to the staff at their school to learn how to use the new curriculum.
Hackensack, New Jersey
Celebrated Pride and their GSA the entire year through events to strengthen their group and beautify their campus, like painting Pride benches and hosting a bake sale to raise funds for a local LGBTQ+ organization after the Club Q shooting in Colorado.
Woodstown, New Jersey
Trained teachers on LGBTQ+ issues, added $1000 worth of LGBTQ+ books to the library, installed an inclusive mural, and distributed a zine. Students were involved in all aspects of the grant project, and “felt seen, heard, respected, entertained, and valued by the activities funded by this grant.”for the LGBTQ+ community.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Added 100 books by LGBTQ+ authors to their school library, purchased gender-affirming clothing to provide trans students, and organized pride-themed events to celebrate their achievements.
Syracuse, New York
Launched a GSA for their K-8 school, working with their local LGBTQ+ center to provide support and resources for their students.
Greenville, North Carolina
Developed an art therapy program and gallery space through the GSA.
Bismarck, North Dakota
Created a coffeehouse event series for LGBTQ+ youth and the community to speak up about anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being passed in their state, drawing in hundreds of local community members, politicians, and vendors. Politicians came to speak, librarians proudly displayed LGBTQ+ books, and students showcased their art.
Cleveland, Ohio
Hosted Rainbow Fest for three local high schools, with over 200 students attending.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Bolstered their GSA through purchasing more LGBTQ+ books, safe space decals, and pride flags.
Phoenix, Oregon
Created the Youth Pride Summit for local GSA students, welcoming 82 people for sessions on affirming healthcare and community building.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Purchased LGBTQ+ books for each grade band from K-12, hosted Safer Spaces staff-wide training, and a student-led revision of the health curriculum.
Vermillion, South Dakota
Created a mural that represented their LGBTQ+ students and the vibrance of their local community. After running into issues of displaying it at their high school, they pivoted it to be painted downtown. This led the mural and their whole town to being voted USA Today’s Best Small Town Arts Scene two years in a row.
Nashville, Tennessee
Offered continuous LGBTQ+ inclusive trainings for staff, increased visibility for their students by adding progress flags and LGBTQ+ YA books to classrooms, and hosted a Pride Week full of activities and LGBTQ+ history lessons!
Mission, Texas
Hosted a groundbreaking conference for LGBTQ+ youth and adults to promote awareness and providing a safe space for people to learn from and get familiar with their peers. (Read more about this project here).
Newport News, Virginia
Added over 300 LGBTQ+ titles from all genres to their school library, including adding 10 new LGBTQ+ books to each English classroom library, empowering students to self-select titles that resonate with themselves. In front of the school, they even installed a little free library stocked with age-appropriate titles.
Salem, Virginia
Increased visual cues for LGBTQ+ students and their families to know they will be cared for at their school, such as a Pride bench, adding more LGBTQ+ books to the library, and hosting a Pride event.
Richland, Washington
Hosted Fall and Spring Poetry Slams, a seasonal event for LGBTQ+ youth feeling unsupported during the holidays, and many community talks on topics like cultural appropriation.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Hosted a GSA Empowerment Summit, with over 200 GSA members from 6-8th grade across the school system attending. They had topics like healthy relationships, queerness and art, and intersectionality.
Racine, Wisconsin
Added a collection of LGBTQ+ fiction and nonfiction books to the libraries of all six high schools in their district. They were even able to change the district-wide policy to remove the ability to track patron book history, keeping their students safe.
Lander, Wyoming
Created Little Queer Libraries for several schools in their district, with books flying off the shelves and requiring a few refills.
