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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 VideosCelebration & 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.
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.
The Catalyst for Change
2015
In March 2015, police raided a boot camp in Mobile, Alabama. What they uncovered felt like something out of a horror film: isolation rooms, leather straps, handcuffs—tools used to try to force 36 kids into being straight. That same year, less than a mile away, Open Table United Church of Christ partnered with advocates, artists, and educators to launch a peer support group for LGBTQ+ high schoolers.
Following Their Lead
2016-2017
We facilitated activities meant to build self-confidence and connection. The youth wrote letters to their future selves, painted Pride flags on their hands, re-enacted favorite movie scenes. At the same time, they talked about home and school, fears and triumphs, present challenges and future hopes. As often as we could, we asked: What else do you want from this group? They were never short on answers.
“Books with LGBTQ characters.”
“Food.”
“Open mic nights.”
So we built a small library. Organized volunteer meals. Hosted monthly events—Costume Karaoke, Game Night, and whatever else they dreamed up. What started as a support group was becoming something more.
Establishing Prism United
2018
As the group grew, so did our understanding of what LGBTQ+ youth in our area were facing—and what was missing. In 2018, with continued support from Open Table, Corey Harvard and Justin Litaker formalized the work into a nonprofit. By vote, the teens it would serve chose its name: Prism United.
Developing New Programs
2019
The success of our signature program—Prism Teens—drew attention to the organization, and requests for additional services followed. We sent out surveys and held parent focus groups to determine priorities and next steps.
In 2019, we launched two new programs: Prism Preteens (ages 10-13) and Prism Families (now Prism Parents). Each was built the same way as the first—by responding to real needs voiced by the community.
Across the Bay & Online
2020 – 2021
In 2020, we expanded to the Eastern Shore, naming Sarah Rutledge Fischer as Site Director. When the pandemic hit, Prism moved online—hosting 15 Zoom gatherings each month and creating a Discord space where youth could stay connected.
In 2021, Prism organized Color Fairhope With Pride (CFWP), the city’s first Pride celebration.
Advocacy & Visibility
2021
As lawmakers across the country introduced bills targeting LGBTQ+ youth, the need to be seen—and heard—grew more urgent. Prism partnered with trans videographer Maxwell Kuzma to launch the Who We Are campaign: a series of short interviews featuring local LGBTQ+ youth sharing their stories in their own words. Within months, the videos received more than 20,000 views.
Assessing Needs & Expanding Care
2022
In 2022, Prism convened 30 businesses and organizations to form the Southwest Alabama Inclusion Project—the region’s first comprehensive assessment of LGBTQ+ community needs. That same year, we launched the Prism Healing Fund, helping ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to affirming mental health care for youth.
Read the SurveyElevating Queer Youth
2022
Since Prism’s inception, we had dreamed of hosting a queer prom. In 2022, that dream became reality. More than 60 participants gathered to dance the night away with their LGBTQ+ peers. The first Prism Prom featured special guest Mercury Stardust. That same year, we hired Adrian Branley to lead Prism Teens, a program he had attended since 2018.
Celebrating Community
2023 – 2024
This was a season of growth, marked by momentum and a deep investment in community. Rachel Bright joined the team in July 2023 as Prism’s first-ever Development Director, helping to strengthen the organization’s fundraising efforts and future visioning. That same year, the first Wig Walk strutted its stuff through downtown Mobile in September and has since grown into one of Prism’s largest fundraisers. In October 2024, Prism hosted the Come Out Mobile gala where it rolled out the Trailblazer Initiative, beginning the important work of documenting and honoring local LGBTQ+ history through short-form videos.
Growing Out, Growing In
2025
In 2025, we shifted our focus toward coalition building. We formed the Affirming Spiritual Communities Coalition (ASCC) to amplify the growing number of affirming faith communities in southwest Alabama. We also launched PLAN—the Prism Local & Affirming Network—engaging businesses and organizations in building a more inclusive community.
To support growing interest in family gatherings, we recast Prism Families as our all-ages events program. Through it, we hosted a community picnic (Prism at the Park), bowling nights (Prism Goes Bowling), and the coolest trunk-or-treat in town (Boo Boulevard).
We also expanded offerings for LGBTQ+ high schoolers. The Prism Leadership Initiative gives 16-18-year-olds the opportunity to build professional skills and earn volunteer hours ahead of college. In the fall, we launched the Prism Café Series, adding monthly D&D (Adventure Café) and a literature & craft club (Book Buffet) to the Prism Teens schedule.
The Latest Chapter
2026
At the beginning of 2026, we launched Prism Pathways—a new program offering monthly outings for LGBTQ+ young adults (ages 19–24). As it grows, we plan to incorporate college and career readiness opportunities.
Another major undertaking this year is the expansion of our Healing Services. In the first quarter of 2026, we were awarded the CenterLink Mental Health Capacity Building Grant, allowing us to grow our network of providers, strengthen our referral system, and expand access to the Healing Fund. By year’s end, we expect Healing Services to be a robust, transformative part of our work.
Because of You
While this timeline captures many defining moments in Prism’s story, many other memories remain untold—so much more we wish we could share. If you’d like to follow along more closely, visit our socials, where we regularly post updates and milestones.
If you are one of the many people who has helped build this organization—thank you. Prism has always been, and will always be, a community effort, driven by people who believe LGBTQ+ youth are worthy of love and belonging. None of this is possible without you.
Prism Core Memories
For us, these photos are more than a source of nostalgia. They’re a reminder of the individuals, organizations, gatherings, special events, trainings, celebrations, and hard work that got us here.
Thank you for being on this journey with us and making Prism United possible. Here’s to five more years of serving LGBTQ+ youth and their loved ones in our community!
