Orlando Youth Alliance
Community & Support Groups and LGBTQ+ Organizations & Advocacy
Orlando Youth Alliance is a Central Florida nonprofit that provides a safe, supportive space for LGBTQ youth and young adults. The organization’s mission is to create safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in Central Florida, and it has offered weekly peer-to-peer support groups in the region since 1990. In addition to support groups, OYA also shares mental health referrals, scholarships, career exploration opportunities, and LGBTQ history and cultural programming.
OYA’s service area is centered in Central Florida, with current programming and chapters listed in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, and Longwood. Their meetings and events calendar also shows ongoing activities in Orlando, Lakeland, and the Osceola area, which helps confirm that their support extends beyond Orlando proper and serves a broader Central Florida community.
For LGBTQ youth and young adults, Orlando Youth Alliance offers more than a single weekly gathering. Their public calendar includes age-specific meetings, drop-ins, outings, and even a Dungeons & Dragons meetup, all designed to help young people build friendships, find peer support, and feel less alone. The site also includes a join form for those who want updates and information about how to participate.
Adults can also get involved in meaningful ways. OYA says it relies on volunteers to help facilitate groups, support fundraising, organize youth activities, assist with social media and design, serve as referral resources, and even join the board. The organization is funded in part by donors and sponsors, so community members can support its work through volunteering or making tax-deductible donations.
For people looking for LGBTQ youth support in Orlando and across Central Florida, Orlando Youth Alliance is a valuable resource for community connection, peer support, and youth-centered programming. Their main contact information is publicly listed on the site, including a voicemail line, email, and Orlando mailing address, which makes it easy to reach out and learn more.
