Story

A Brief History of Prism United

Uncovering the Truth

2015

In 2015, Newsweek and ABC’s “20/20” exposed an ex-gay operation in Mobile, holding over 30 LGBTQ+ youth against their will in an effort to change them. Physical abuse, starvation, forced exercise, and solitary confinement were among the strategies employed by the faith-based boot camp.

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The Catalyst for Change

2015

During that same year and not a mile down the same street, Open Table United Church of Christ set out to create a peer-support group for LGBTQ+ high-schoolers. Pulling together a team of community leaders, Open Table partnered with a Huntsville-based organization to provide bi-monthly, non-religious gatherings for LGBTQ+ teens in need of a loving community.

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United in Hope

2016-2018

Many of our earliest activities were designed by educators and artists, and they sought to give program participants an opportunity to express themselves and build friendships through art and creative writing. The images of hands featured on our homepage showcase an early curriculum activity from 2017. In this activity, the teens painted self-selected Pride flags on their hands to represent their identities.

Bi Hand
Trans Hand
Rainbow Hand
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A group of seven adults in a room with painting supplies, smiling for a photo during what appears to be a volunteer or community service event.
Two men smiling for a photo at a formal event, one in a navy suit and the other in a white shirt with suspenders and a bow tie.
Four adults sharing a laugh around a conference table with laptops and papers.
Three adults engaged in a discussion at a table with papers and bottled water.
People engaging in a plant potting activity on a patterned tablecloth.
A decorated room prepared for a celebration with tables set, a "congratulations" banner, and colorful decorations.
Event & Outreach Volunteers Needed
A group of seven adults in a room with painting supplies, smiling for a photo during what appears to be a volunteer or community service event.
Two men smiling for a photo at a formal event, one in a navy suit and the other in a white shirt with suspenders and a bow tie.
Four adults sharing a laugh around a conference table with laptops and papers.
Three adults engaged in a discussion at a table with papers and bottled water.
People engaging in a plant potting activity on a patterned tablecloth.
A decorated room prepared for a celebration with tables set, a "congratulations" banner, and colorful decorations.
Event & Outreach Volunteers Needed

Establishing Prism United

2018

Over time, the support group unearthed broader issues facing LGBTQ+ youth in the area, underscoring the urgency for an adequate response. In 2018, with the continued support of Open Table, Corey Harvard and Justin Litaker created a nonprofit. By a vote, the teens who would benefit from its programs chose its name: Prism United.

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Community Response & Growth

2019-2020

In 2019, Sarah Rutledge Fischer collaborated with Prism United to establish Prism Teens in Fairhope. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program swiftly adapted to virtual programs, broadening Prism’s impact to online communities. In 2021, Sarah led the effort to organize Color Fairhope With Pride (CFWP), Fairhope’s inaugural Pride celebration.

Group of smiling people at a party wearing colorful whimsical wigs and party attire, with balloons in the background.
A diverse group of people sitting on grass at an outdoor event, listening attentively, with some holding pride flags.
A person standing behind a booth adorned with rainbow flags at an event.
a woman and a drag king emcee on stage
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Advocacy & Visibility

2021

In 2021, state legislatures across the country began introducing bills that target LGBTQ+ youth. In response, Prism collaborated with trans videographer Maxwell Kuzma to produce videos that highlighted the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. The following year, Prism partnered with Max again to create the Who We Are Campaign, a series of short interviews featuring LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama sharing their personal stories. The campaign quickly gained traction, reaching over 20,000 views online within just a few months.

See The Videos
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Celebration & Solidarity

Since its founding, Prism has grown from a passionate, volunteer-led effort into a professional, community-rooted nonprofit with dedicated staff and a strong organizational infrastructure. What began as a grassroots response to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth has evolved into a sustainable organization with formal programs, strategic partnerships, and expanded capacity to serve.

Today, Prism’s staff team leads a continuum of programs that support youth and their families through mental health resources, peer connection, and community-building initiatives while still holding onto the heart, authenticity, and responsiveness that defined its earliest days.

Group of smiling individuals at an outdoor event booth with promotional materials and rainbow flags.
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Two individuals playing with a giant soap bubble at sunset by the waterfront.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Prism United remains fully committed to growing as a safe, affirming community for LGBTQ+ youth and their families across southwest Alabama. We aim to expand our reach by offering more peer-support gatherings, mental-health resources, cultural competency trainings, and educational events so that every young person, wherever they are, can find belonging, connection, and acceptance.

Our hope is to continue strengthening families, building resilience, and uplifting queer voices through support, solidarity, and joy. We believe in a future where all LGBTQ+ youth can thrive in knowing that they are seen, supported, and celebrated.