As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, we’re reminded that autumn is a season of gathering and belonging. At Prism, our programs this month are rooted in community building, bringing people together to learn, connect, and grow stronger side by side.
We’re especially excited to welcome you to Come Out Mobile, where we’ll honor trailblazers who light the way for our community’s future. And later this month, we’ll share our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the impact we’ve created together and the progress still ahead.
This fall brings so much to look forward to! Explore the details below, and as always, we’re just an email away at info@prismunited.org.
Prism Teens (Ages 14-18) ✨ Saturdays, September 6, 20 & 27
In September, Prism Teens will focus on strengthening connections, celebrating identities, and building trust through creative and interactive gatherings. Each session invites youth to explore belonging, share personal experiences, and grow together in a supportive environment.
The month’s activities include a Connection Collage (September 6), where small groups create artwork representing shared values and identities; The Name Game (September 20), which invites reflection on the meaning and significance of names; and STEM Night (September 27), led by guest facilitators from EQuALS, the Evonik Queer Alliance for Learning and Support. Learn more below!
Prism Families (Parents & Family Members) ✨ Thursdays, September 4 & 18
September offers two meaningful opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect. The monthly Support Group Gathering (September 4) will bring families and new facilitators together to share, catch up, and build community (childcare provided). Later in the month, families are invited to a relaxed Coffee & Community Social Hour (September 18) at a local coffeeshop, a chance to strengthen relationships, meet new facilitators, and kick off the season with connection and support.
Prism Preteens (Ages 10-13) ✨ Thursdays, September 4 & 18
This September, Prism Preteens will begin working toward their Love and Courage virtue badges through activities that nurture healthy relationships, self-care, and the power of vulnerability. During Healthy Relationships (September 4), they’ll explore what makes connections strong and supportive by creating personalized self-care toolkits as an act of self-love. Open Up, Power Up (September 18) will launch the Courage badge, where preteens will design a superhero with unique strengths and vulnerabilities and bring their characters to life in a role-play game that encourages openness, bravery, and teamwork.
We’re just 12 days away from the Come Out Mobile gala on Saturday, September 13, and last-minute tickets are still available! This year, we’re honoring four incredible Trailblazers whose courage and commitment have shaped our community: Dr. Shey Thorn, Rev. Marge Ragona, Kelmyah Turner, and, in memoriam, Danni Bond.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable evening of celebration and inspiration! Get your tickets now before they’re gone!
Meet Wendy Wigs and Mullet Mike, the brand-new mascots ready to lead the way at Wig Walk 2025 on Saturday, October 11! This year’s pub crawl and community celebration promises to be bigger, bolder, and wig-ier than ever all while raising vital funds to support Prism United’s programs for LGBTQ+ youth across Southwest Alabama.
Now’s the perfect time to gather your crew and jump in: start or join a fundraising team, unlock free tickets by hitting milestones, and compete for unforgettable Wig Walk Awards. Every step (and every dollar) helps create safe, affirming spaces for the young people who need them most.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Choose your own adventure:
✨ Pub Crawl + After Party Ticket ✨
Includes 6 drink tickets, access to all participating venues, and entry to the After Party at Braided River Brewing Co.
✨ After Party Only Ticket ✨
Just here for the celebration? Join us at Braided River for music, drinks, and good vibes. All ages welcome to the After Party!
Get your tickets early and join Wendy Wigs, Mullet Mike, and the whole community for a day of bubbles, brews, bites, and bold love!
Nearly 70 people joined us to kick off the new program year at the Prism Open House, filling the space with connection, celebration, and community. Teens, Preteens, and Parents came together to meet facilitators, explore the Youth Room, and reconnect with friends while getting a glimpse of what’s ahead this year. Guests picked up free backpacks with school supplies, built custom care kits, and browsed the Prism Wardrobe for affirming clothing and accessories.
The highlight of the evening was a walk through of the inspiring Leadership Initiative posters, where youth leaders proudly shared the projects and creativity that capped off their first cohort (read more below). It was the perfect way to launch another year of Prism programming with energy, joy, and belonging.
Prism United’s first Leadership Initiative cohort was a resounding success, empowering a group of LGBTQ+ teens to grow their skills in advocacy, collaboration, and community care. Over the course of the program, participants interviewed elders to capture queer histories, created a zine, volunteered at outreach events, and even helped launch Little Free Libraries stocked with affirming books.
At our annual Open House, the cohort shared their culminating project: a poster walk showcasing all they had accomplished. Each display reflected the creativity, courage, and dedication these young leaders brought to the program and the lasting impact they’re already making in our community.
We’re proud to celebrate The Haunted Book Shop as our September PLAN Partner of the Month! Located in downtown Mobile, this independent bookstore is known for its eclectic mix of new, used, and rare books, with a special love for genre fiction and a vibrant kids’ section. More than just a bookstore, it’s a welcoming space that brings people together through a shared love of stories. And bonus, there’s a cat!
Being part of PLAN (Prism Local & Affirming Network) means more than a title: it’s a commitment to creating inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families in our community. PLAN Partners receive visibility as affirming businesses, cultural competency training, and opportunities to connect with Prism’s network of supporters. Most importantly, they help build a region where LGBTQ+ people know they are safe, valued, and celebrated.
We’re grateful to The Haunted Book Shop for their partnership and for making Mobile a little more magical (and cozy) for everyone who walks through their doors!