A Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth: Building Safety and Belonging in Miami

When home is not safe and support feels out of reach, LGBTQ+ youth often face impossible choices.

In Miami, one organization has spent more than four decades working to ensure these young people are not navigating those challenges alone.

For 19-year-old Saniya Aklin, walking through the doors of Pridelines was not simply about finding services. It was about survival.

“When I moved here to Miami, I was escaping homelessness from my mother,” Aklin said. “Then I moved here with my dad, and we had a domestic violence issue in May. Ever since then, I’ve just been jumping from shelter to shelter.”

Her story reflects a growing national crisis.

According to The Trevor Project, almost 1/3 of LGBTQ+ youth reported experiencing homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives. Other research from organizations like True Colors United suggests LGBTQ+ youth are more than twice as likely to experience homelessness compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers – most often due to family rejection.

“You come out and you say, ‘I am this,’” said Michael Riordan, interim executive director of Pridelines. “What you’re saying to somebody is just: see me. And they get rejected for that. A lot of times people get kicked out of their homes. So, what is a 16-year-old person going to do when they lose their family support?”

When Aklin first arrived at Pridelines earlier this year, she was seeking more than just shelter.

“I was actually homeless, and they offered services,” she said. “We have a youth lounge here, and I would spend my days here. They also give out free food, so I would just stay and rest to catch up on sleep.”

Founded in 1982 during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, Pridelines began as a grassroots support network for young gay men navigating stigma, fear, and loss. Today, the Miami-based nonprofit operates as a full-service LGBTQ+ community center offering mental health counseling, HIV prevention programs, youth leadership development, support groups, and housing assistance.

Over the past 40 years, Pridelines has served more than 10,000 young people across South Florida.

“We provide grocery and pantry support because housing insecurity is so often connected to food insecurity,” said Daniel Malloy, director of programming at Pridelines. “There’s a lot of intersectionality between housing insecurity and risk factors for acquiring HIV. These are all really important issues impacting LGBTQ youth.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately higher risks of mental health challenges, substance use, and HIV exposure – often linked to stigma, discrimination and unstable living conditions.

Pridelines operates out of locations in Miami Beach and Liberty City, which serve very different populations.

“Being in a place surrounded by people who are like us – that’s great for us,” Riordan said. “But who learns from that? Being in a place where there is a smaller LGBTQ population gives us an opportunity to do outreach in a way we wouldn’t be able to do anywhere else.”

That outreach includes partnerships with local schools, community organizations and public health agencies. Miami-Dade County consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for new HIV diagnoses, particularly among young people, which underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention programs.

Pridelines offers free HIV testing, PrEP navigation services, mental health referrals, and youth support programs designed to reduce isolation.

Its youth lounge, which is decorated with artwork, affirming messages and LGBTQ+ flags, serves as more than a physical space.

“Pridelines’ walls are covered in messages of hope, art and identity — a reflection of the people it serves,” said Malloy. “Beyond emergency help, it’s a place where LGBTQ+ youth can begin to rebuild their sense of self.”

For youth like Aklin, the most powerful resource may be intangible.

“Everyone is very understanding because we all come from a place of love,” she said. “Don’t be scared to reach out to anyone. They’ll support you, be here for you, they’ll listen.”

Supporter Remson Omotayo believes the organization’s longevity speaks to its impact.

“Pridelines being as longstanding as it is speaks to its power,” Omotayo said. “In the future, Pridelines will be here, saving generations — and those people will keep it supported and going forward strong.”

While progress has been made, advocates say the need remains urgent.

The Trevor Project’s 2023 national survey found that 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and those who reported having at least one accepting adult in their lives were significantly less likely to attempt suicide.

Organizations like Pridelines aim to be that lifeline.

“There’s still so much work to be done,” Malloy said. “That’s why Pridelines exists — to be a safe space and open to the community.”

For Aklin and thousands of others, that space has meant stability during chaos — and affirmation when rejection felt overwhelming.

Whether through a warm meal, access to counseling, a safe couch, or simply someone willing to listen,

Pridelines continues to provide more than services.

It provides safety. It provides visibility.

And for many LGBTQ+ youth in Miami, it provides hope.

This feature story originally aired on UMTV.