Courage & Authenticity for All Valor & autenticidad para todos

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English | Español

Sliding Scale 1:1 Therapy

We are here to help, You are not alone

Courage & Authenticity for All

Valor & autenticidad para todos

Create Community

Crear comunidad

At Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, we are committed to building a supportive and enriching community abundant in opportunities for LGBTQQIA+ individuals and those with a stake in creating a more inclusive Lancaster County.

En la Coalición LGBTQ+ de Lancaster, estamos comprometidxs a construir una comunidad de apoyo y enriquecedora con muchas oportunidades para gente LGBTQQIA + y lxs personxs interesadxs en crear un condado de Lancaster más inclusivo.

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Connect

Connect

Connectar

We are stronger together through outreach, community connection, and courageous conversation.

Entendemos que somos más fuertes cuando nos unimos y con un espacio y oportunidades de envolvimiento para tener una fuerte conección comunitaria LGBTQ+.

Support

Support

Apoyar

We offer dynamic programming and services to meet the diverse needs of the Lancaster LGBTQ+ community.

Brindamos un medio para que lxs personxs LGBTQ+ se fortalezcan y se apoyen mutuamente.

Amplify

Amplify

Amplificar

We elevate LGBTQ+ voices to foster compassion and encourage growth throughout Lancaster County.

Elevamos las voces LGBTQ + en todo el Condado de Lancaster para alentar el crecimiento y fomentar la compasión.

Photography by Michelle Johnsen

We envision an equitable Lancaster County where all of us live courageous, full, and authentic lives

Visualizamos una comunidad equitativa del condado de Lancaster donde todxs vivimos vidas valientes, plenas y auténticas.

Our mission is to build supportive and enriching opportunities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual individuals, along with others who identify with the LGBTQ+ community

Nuestra misión es luchar por la salud, los derechos y la visibilidad de la comunidad LGBTQ + en todo el condado de Lancaster

Programming

Programación

Group Attendee Feedback Form »

Acrasid

An 18+ trans & nonbinary community & discussion group with a different topic every week!

An 18+ trans & nonbinary community & discussion group with a different topic every week!

The Loop

Thursdays, 6-7:30 PM

Jueves, 6-7:30 PM

Next Generation

A safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14-17 focused on support and education. This space is for youth only.

Un espacio seguro para jóvenes LGBTQ + de 14 a 17 años centrado en el apoyo y la educación.

The Loop & Coalition Discord

Fridays, 6-7:30 PM

viernes, 6-7:30 PM

Qreate

An art and Making group facilitated by local artists

Un grupo artesanal y social facilitadx por artistas locales

Coalition Discord

Thursdays, 7–9 PM

Jueves, 7 a 9 PM

LGBT RPG

Tabletop gaming sponsored by our friends at Farbo Co.!

Ven a nuestra noche de juegos auspiciada por nuestros amigos en Farbo Co.

The Loop & Coalition Discord

Saturdays, 8–9:30 PM

Sábados, 8 a 9:30 PM

Parent & Guardian Support Group

A group for parents and guardians of LGBTQ+ youth

Un grupo para padres y tutores de jóvenes LGBTQ+

The Loop

Third Tuesdays, 6-7:30 PM

Tercer Martes, 6 a 7:30 PM

Our Goals

Nuestras metas

Cultivate Our Community

Cultivar nuestra comunidad

We engage community leaders and allies in intersectional work and social justice to support and advance the rights and needs of all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Involucramos a lxs líderes y aliadxs comunitarixs en el trabajo interseccional y la justicia social para apoyar y promover los derechos y necesidades de todos lxs miembrxs de la comunidad LGBTQ+.

Educate Our Leaders

Educar a nuestrxs líderes

We offer opportunities and provide tools for community leaders, organizations, and the general public that have the power to create an educated, aware, and accepting populace.

Ofrecemos oportunidades y proveemos herramientas para líderes comunitarios, organizaciones y el público en general para que tengan el poder de crear una población educada y consciente.

Strengthen Our Partnerships

Fortalecer nuestras alianzas

Through partnerships with local leaders and organizations, we are active in building a network of allied community pillars, creating a stronger and more inclusive Lancaster County.

A través de alianzas y con líderes y organizaciones locales, construimos una red de apoyo comunitarios aliados para crear un Condado de Lancaster más fuerte e inclusivo.

Promote Our Well-Being

Promover nuestro bienestar

We promote mental, emotional, and physical wellness and self-advocacy through programming and partnerships with local allied resources.

Promovemos el bienestar mental, emocional y físico y la auto-abogacía a través de la programación y las alianzas con recursos aliados locales.

Support Our Seniors

Apoyar a personas mayores

We facilitate elder spaces and events which allow LGBTQ+ seniors to join in friendship, community, and togetherness in a way that allows them to share their experiences with our younger community and receive support that respects their dignity and autonomy.

Facilitamos espacios y eventos que permitan a lxs personxs mayores LGBTQ + unirse en amistad, comunidad y unión de una manera que les permita compartir sus experiencias con nuestra comunidad y recibir apoyo que respeta su dignidad y autonomía.

Empower Our Youth

Empoderar a nuestrx juventud

We believe in strengthening and empowering LGBTQ+ youth through advocacy, support, and education. Young voices are elevated and heard within our organization. We use their lived experiences and needs to create programming that promotes proud and prosperous living.

Fortalecer y empoderar a lxs jóvenes LGBTQ + a través de la promoción, el apoyo y la educación. Las voces de lxs jóvenes son elevadas y escuchadas dentro de nuestra organización. Dependemos en sus experiencias y sus necesidades para crear programas que promuevan una vida orgullosa y próspera.

Check Our Privilege

Revisar y conocer su privilegio

We know that to promote greater equity throughout the LGBTQ+ community we must acknowledge and dismantle the layers of privilege within it, prioritize anti-racism work, create an organization that reflects the diversity in our community, and highlight individuals who exist at the intersection of multiple marginalized groups.

Sabemos que para promover una mayor equidad en toda la comunidad LGBTQ+ tenemos que reconocer y desmantelar las capas de privilegios dentro de ella, priorizar el trabajo antirracismo, crear una organización que refleje la diversidad en nuestra comunidad y destacar a lxs personxs que existen en la intersección de múltiples grupos marginados.

Our History

On February 9, 2019, we held our first community stakeholder meeting to discuss the needs of Lancaster County's LGBTQ+ community. Five months later we secured start-up funds, obtained our 501(c)(3), and began leasing our headquarters, hosting fundraisers, and running programming. Our "Queer We Are!" launch party at Tellus360 on November 12th connected over 350 attendees and 15 local businesses in support of the Lancaster LGBTQ+ community. Our community rallied during our first Extraordinary Give—we received over $35,000 from over 530 individual donors.

Since then, we have been creating community partnerships to tackle issues such as access to dignified healthcare, affordable affirming shelters and retirement communities, and spaces where all intersections of our community feel heard and at home.

Thanks to Lancaster Cares, we have been able to give direct service to our community members through our COVID-19 Emergency Fund. We have been able to help those struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic with paying their bills, securing their housing, and even the holidays.

In 2021, the Coalition launched the HEART (Homelessness Emergency Assistance and Response Team) program. HEART works with persons experiencing homelessness to help them access safe and inclusive housing, and helps to mitigate their vulnerability to COVID-19 by providing PPE, hand sanitizer, and other protective resources.

Working together to strengthen our community

Sé valiente. Sé Auténtico.

Volunteer Today voluntario hoy
HEART Program Logo

Homelessness Emergency Assistance & Response Team

There is a housing crisis in Lancaster County and extremely limited LGBTQ+ affirming housing. On February 1, 2021, the HEART Program opened its 6-month pilot low-cost housing location, offering individuals sheltering in unaffirming environments a chance to live in a supportive home.

HEART also offers a warm-handoff service to housing and medical services to provide emotional support for program participants. To further ensure resource providers are capable of providing culturally competent services, we provide cultural competency training to community stakeholders and potential partners around serving the LGBTQ+ population.

At this time, the HEART program is at capacity. Additionally, we are unable to offer emergency crisis shelter. Applicants must have some form of income and have the ability to manage their general needs and safety. If you are in need of immediate shelter call crisis intervention at (717) 394-2631 or 211.

Sponsor the HEART Program

Learn more about the HEART Program »
List of our donation needs »
Apply for housing » a case manager will contact you for an intake within 48 hours.

Meet Our Staff

Karen Foley

K Foley

Executive Director she/they
Kearasten Jordan

Kearasten Jordan

Program Coordinator they/them
Kate Farbo

Kate Farbo

Thrift Store Sorceress she/they
Topher Ashley

Topher Ashley

they/she
Ellie Cochran

Ellie Cochran

Creative Director xey/xym
Audrie Marsh

Audrie Marsh Devitry

Behavioral Health Intern she/her

Our Board

Shannon Haley-Mize Shannon Haley-Mize she/they
Sarah Kelly Jones Sarah Kelly Jones Board Treasurer she/her
Roger Avila-Vidal Roger Avila-Vidal he/him
Michaela Allwine Michaela Allwine
Tuc To, MD Tuc To, MD he/him
Rebecca Saner
Fae Kronman, MS Fae Kronman, MS they/them
Reinaldo Rivera Reinaldo Rivera he/him
Teal Farrell Teal Farrell they/them
Kelsey Miller Kelsey Miller she/her
Ricardo Almodovar Ricardo Almodovar he/him
Jecca Clupp Jecca Clupp
Dave Romano Dave Romano

Volunteers

Sobeida Rosa

Sobeida Rosa

Communications Manager she/her

Audrie Marsh

she/her

Audrie Marsh de Vitry (she/her) is the new Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition Behavioral Health Intern. Audrie is finishing her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Saint Joseph's University. She is accepting a limited number of clients for individual, family, or group therapy under the supervision of K. Foley LPC. Services are provided at no cost. Audrie has worked in adult clinical mental health settings for nearly two decades and has an excellent reputation throughout the county as a caring and inclusive provider. In her personal time, Audrie enjoys stand-up comedy, theatre, and making music. She lives in Lancaster County with her wife and two dogs.

All appointment inquiries can be made by calling (302)797-1499 or by completing this form online. Space is limited, however all calls and inquiries will receive follow-up.

Roger Avila-Vidal

he/him

Originally born in Puebla, Mexico, Roger has lived in Lancaster almost all his life. He attended Franklin and Marshall College, graduating with a joint major in Sociology and International Studies, and a minor in French. He recently joined Church World Service as a Know Your Rights Specialist, helping unaccompanied immigrant youth in their immigration journey. He is especially excited to help expand the support and advocacy for queer and trans immigrant youth.

As a DACA recipient, Roger has been vocal about immigration rights for DACA and undocumented immigrants since high school; working with the Invisible Americans project, and as a board member of the Lancaster Neighbor Fund in the past. During his free time, he loves to read, work on puzzles, and enjoy the amazing Lancaster restaurants with his partner.

Glitch SteelHeart

she/they

Glitch is a Bisexual Non-Binary trans-fem. She is the program coordinator at Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition and has a background in Nursing.

Tuc To

he/him

Dr. To is a Lancaster native. He attended Hempfield High School and went on to complete his higher education and medical degree in Philadelphia. He spent three years in Baltimore for his residency in Internal Medicine before moving back to Lancaster to practice as a primary care physician.

As a gay man, he is well aware of the struggles that the LGBTQ community can have when accessing healthcare. While he cares for patients regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, he does have a passion for providing care for queer patients in particular and helping to foster a safe space to discuss physical, mental, and sexual health.

Dr. To became an LGBTQ Coalition board member with hopes to be able to provide health services to LGBTQ patients on a larger scale.

He lives in Lancaster with his husband and two cats. He enjoys reading, video games, comic books, and is probably the biggest Taylor Swift fan you will ever meet.

Teal Farrell

they/them

Teal lives and works within Lancaster city and specializes in boots-on-the-ground volunteering and organizing. They’re currently studying cybersecurity while working in healthcare. In their off time, they help moderate the Coalition’s online community and run video workshops.

Frankie Reed

he/they/it

Frankie is a Non-Binary, disabled artist achieving a Graphic Design degree at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. He is excited to be working as the Design Intern for the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition. They will be bringing their design skills to the coalition and leave a lasting impression.

Stevie File

he/they

Old Yorker turned New Yorker, Stevie holds this queer homecoming close to heart. Their work as a founding member began amidst the early developments of the Coalition. Since their two-year long hiatus, Stevie has enrolled as a first-in-the-family student at Columbia University, studying playwriting and poetry with a focus in LGBTQ+ studies. Their theatrical work interrogates the historical self and is interested in the possibilities of Erasure Theatre.

At the Coalition, Stevie leads Next Generation, in addition to their other research, writing, social media, and correspondence duties.

Fae Kronman, MS

they/them

Fae is a queer, transgender/non-binary community organizer and educator. Their work provides resources and mentorship for future LGBTQIA+ health professionals to improve LGBTQIA+ health and health education at their own institutions. They are presently an MD/PhD student at Penn State College of Medicine and the Executive Director of the Medical Student Pride Alliance. After medical school, they intend to pursue a career in adolescent psychiatry to be the queer trans healthcare provider they never had.

Reinaldo Rivera

he/him

Reinaldo Rivera Hernández works as the Associate Director of Tec Centro at SACA. Reinaldo has been with the organization for the past sixteen years and throughout his career journey, Reinaldo has been able to discover and cultivate his, passion for the helping field and supporting those populations placed at risk. Born in Caguas Puerto Rico, Reinaldo has been a Lancaster County resident for over 35 years. Reinaldo holds a BA degree with a double major in Human Services and Spanish, and also a MA degree in Human Services both from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Reinaldo is presently working on a Doctoral Degree in Human Services specializing in Leadership and Program Evaluation at Walden University. Reinaldo’s emphasis is a career path to continue advocating for resources and equality aimed at those individuals who are affected by the service gap issues within their communities.

Kristy Aurand

she/her

Kristy serves as the Chief Development Officer at Community Action Partnership of Lancaster where she leads fundraising and friendraising efforts to support CAP's mission to end generational poverty in Lancaster County. Kristy serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), coaches youth cheerleading for the Lancaster Recreation Commission, and is a member of the Lancaster Chamber's Annual Dinner advisory committee and the American Lung Association's national lung cancer caregiver advisory group. In 2021, she was recognized as one of the Central PA Business Journal's “40 Under 40” honorees. She graduated from Millersville University and lives in Millersville with her husband Adam, daughter Kylar, and canine kids Sally and Lucy.

Beck Moore

he/him

Beck is the CEO at Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, a statewide association working to effectively change and address issues of poverty. Beck has worked in nonprofit management for the last 19 years, serving in leadership roles in membership driven organizations, focused on youth education and leadership. He holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Penn State and a master's degree in human resources from the University of Scranton.

Mary Auker-Endres

she/her

Mary Auker-Endres is a long time community organizer and activist. Most recently she has worked as a campaign manager and Democratic organizer in Lancaster County, managing high profile local races and training new campaign staff across the region. Mary has one son and lives in Elizabethtown with her spouse.

K Foley MA, LPC, RYT

she/they

The perspective of a somatic trauma therapist and LGBTQ+ advocate positioned K. to observe deficiencies and degree of support available to members of the LGBTQ+ community in Lancaster. K. stepped forward to address the problem, find solutions, and begin filling the gap by co-founding Lancaster's first LGBT community center in 2019, where she now holds the position of Executive Director. Through the efforts of Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, their vision for the vulnerable subsets of their community is being realized, resulting in services being provided which facilitate education, promote health and well-being, cultivate connection and a sense of belonging and support for the Lancaster LGBTQ+ community. In addition to her work at the Coalition, K. continues to lead people toward greater health and well-being by providing care as a therapist and yoga instructor.

In February of 2021 the Coalition launched their Homelessness Emergency Assistance and Response Team program (HEART). HEART is a subsidized housing model that provides a supportive home where LGBTQ+ community members (ages 18-26) can truly thrive. Their latest initiative is launching Lancaster's first LGBTQ+ Health Consortium along with Dr. Sharee Livingston to identify and connect LGBTQ+ proficient providers, conduct and influence research for all intersections of the LGBTQ+ community. The Coalition's most recent achievement: The LOOP, a complex housing the community center, along with mental health clinics, and legal services. The Loop will offer greatly reduced rates for entrepreneurs and other nonprofits who hold a similar mission and vision: an equitable Lancaster County where we ALL lead full, courageous, and authentic lives.

K.'s heart is filled with gratitude for the support and patience of her magical colleagues and beautiful family (chosen & bio).

Contact K

Ellie Cochran

xey/xym

Ellie Cochran is a Trans Queer creative director, new media artist, and adjunct professor at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. Named one of the Keystone State's next generation of Queer leaders, Ellie has been fascinated by the intersection of art and technology for xyr entire life.

From natural-language-learning public net art pieces to computer-based prototyping, 3D printing, and virtual interaction, Ellie views xyr digital work as an extension of xymself. You can get in touch with Ellie at xyr portfolio website.

Todd Snovel

he/him

Todd Snovel currently serves as board chair for the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition. In his day job, Todd serves as Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster. Prior to this role, Todd was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf as the inaugural Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. He holds a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Mansfield University.

Adam Lake, MD, FAAFP, AAHIVS, FACMQ, CMQ

he/him

Dr. Adam Lake practices at Lancaster General Health Physicians - Comprehensive Care in Lancaster, PA. His practice provides primary care with integration of specialty level care for people living with HIV/AIDS, with substance use disorders and recovery, infectious hepatitis, and identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum including gender affirming hormone therapy. Dr Lake studied linguistics and biochemistry at Grinnell College, and medicine at Temple University School of Medicine. He then moved to Lancaster for his residency in family medicine and a fellowship in population health.

Kedren Crosby

she/her

Mindsets and behaviors hold power. By instilling effective workplace mindsets, behaviors, communication practices and cultures, Kedren builds sustainable high-performance.

Kedren holds a Master's degree in Policy Science from The University of Maryland, graduate level Certificates in Nonprofit Studies from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Conflict Resolution at Notre Dame and has completed graduate coursework in Organizational Behavior at Harvard University.

Kedren is also a certified practitioner of Emotional Intelligence and serves as adjunct graduate school faculty at Elizabethtown College. Kedren has written and presented extensively on burnout, work-life integration, authentic leadership, organizational culture, organizational conflict management and communication best practices.

Professionally, Kedren has enjoyed serving as a CEO, CDO, Director, Associate Director, Interim Executive Director, President, Vice President, author and professor. Her 25 years' workplace experience in all three sectors (for-profit, non-profit, government) fuel both her empathy and her ability to see quickly into your specific scenario.

Her practice is rooted in authenticity, appreciative inquiry, crucial confrontations, emotional intelligence, positive organizational behavior, transformative mediation, positive psychology and the platinum rule.

Contact Kedren

AJ Eckman

he/him

AJ Eckman is the Marketing and Development Manager for the Lancaster Recreation Commission, Past President and Advisor to the Board with the Lancaster Young Professionals, Advisor to the Board of Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, Board at Large for the Lancaster Safety Coalition, Board at Large for the Keystone Business Alliance and serves on the development committees of Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership and Lancaster County Community Foundation's Forever Lancaster. His passion is serving his community through philanthropic outreach by being a connector, innovator and collaborator. Follow his adventures on Instagram: ajeckman.

Kelsey Miller

she/her

Kelsey joins the board with several years of experience working with nonprofits, developing and implementing strategies to create healthy and equitable communities. From safe housing initiatives to revitalizing a farmers market and many in between, Kelsey is passionate about bringing people together for the common good. For fun, she enjoys playing rugby with the Lancaster Thorns WRFC and living life in Lancaster City with her love, Emily and their pup, Maple.

Diamond Anthony

they/them

Diamond Anthony is the current reigning and first Mx. Philadelphia Leather and a member of the Mid-Atlantic Onyx Pearls. Diamond won the title back in March 1 week before the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down. But through the Pandemic Diamond has used their title to advocate for many causes such as, advocating for social justice and equity for Trans and non-binary folks. Diamond has met with elected officials such as US Senators, helped moderate the first Trans and Non-Binary Leather Town hall, was the visionary behind the “Take Back Your Pride Rally” this past year in Lancaster, and raised money for different organizations. Diamond continues to use their voice and their journey to uplift others and see the beauty in oneself. One moment at a time.

Karina Tejeda

she/her

Karina is the Executive Assistant and Liaison of the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition. Being a Lancaster native has allowed her to explore many volunteering opportunities to help uplift the community that helped raise her. With joining the coalition Karina is excited to use her life and work experience to be part of the initiative in bringing change to our community and leave an impact.

Sarah Kelly Jones

she/her

Sarah is an all around operations powerhouse, with over 20 years in executive management, finance and operations. She also has about 10 years in the non-profit world, serving on various boards and committees. She is currently living the dream, and works in the video game industry!

When she's not behind her keyboard you will find her spending time with her daughter Harper and pup Jaxx, going on some sort of outdoor adventure, finding interesting places to eat, or feeding her sneaker addiction!

Diversity Equity & Inclusion Training

We offer DEI training to organizations and companies seeking to improve their awareness and create strategies for fostering lasting cultural change within their organization. Attendees will learn about the diverse identities and orientations that make up our community and the obstacles they face, learn inclusive language and how to be a better ally, and develop a better understanding of privilege and bias.

Ofrecemos capacitación a organizaciones y empresas que buscan mejorar su conocimiento y comprensión de la comunidad LGBTQQIA +. Lxs participantes aprenderán sobre las diversas identidades y orientaciones que conforman nuestra comunidad y los obstáculos que enfrentan, aprenderán un lenguaje inclusivo y cómo ser un mejor aliadx, y desarrollarán una mejor comprensión de los privilegios y los prejuicios.

Learn More »

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The Coalition is an incredible resource; one that creates greater connection for our community, and has made a personally positive impact on our lives in Lancaster"

— Trella Dubetz Owner of Sage Massage & Wellness, LLC
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