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Learn all about being a lesbian and the lesbian community! < Return to Resources Lesbian Resources Learn all about being a lesbian and the lesbian community! The Basics Sexual Orientation Basics Sexual orientation is a person's gender identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted. Learn More Lesbian Women attracted to women—but is there more to it? Learn More Coming Out Tips Check out our tips and advice for how to come out safely. Learn More History Sappho of Lesbos Learn about the legendary poet Sappho and why she's known as the "lesbian muse." Learn More The Fight for Marriage Equality For decades, the LGBTQ+ community fought for marriage equality. Here's the story of that struggle. Learn More AIDS Crisis The AIDS Crisis ravaged the LGBTQ+ community for decades, and the government did little to help. Learn More 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3 Lesbian Pride Quick View PRISM Pride Backpack: Lesbian Price $48.00 Quick View PRISM Pride Notebook: Lesbian Price $16.50 Quick View PRISM Pride Magic Mug: Lesbian Price $16.00 Quick View PRISM Pride Face Mask: Lesbian Price $19.50 Quick View PRISM Pride Shirt: Lesbian Price $36.50 Quick View PRISM Pride Sweatshirt: Lesbian Price $45.50 1 2 3

< Return to Open Positions Social Media Manager (Facebook) We recommend reading more about our task forces before starting your application. Please select the following option below: Social Media Manager (Facebook) Position Title Please select the requested option Want to apply for a different position? Click here to browse what's available. Have a question about open positions? Contact us at: careers@prismfl.org PRISM relies on the dedicated contributions of volunteers to further its initiatives. PRISM conducts many initiatives digitally, which makes building a solid brand image and marketing extremely important. Social Media Managers oversee specific social media platforms utilized by PRISM. Social Media Managers do not receive a paycheck, but they do receive the satisfaction that they are helping an organization for LGBT youth. There is potential for a paid position in the future. Social Media Managers have the following responsibilities: Develop and organize social media campaigns and posts Ensure that social media posts are uploaded in a timely manner through communicating with Visual Design Managers and Social Media Drafters Coordinate paid promotions and advertisements on social media platforms Applicants must have experience with one or more of the following: Social Media coordination Market analysis Facebook's Charitable Giving Tools LGBT issues Sexual health/Public health Gender and sexuality Youth services Next

< Back to School Policy Hub Syphilis What is Syphilis? How It's Spread Symptoms Getting Tested Testing Positive What is Syphilis? Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is contracted mainly through sexual intercourse. While syphilis was considered rare in the early 2000s, cases have been quickly increasing in recent years. Almost 130,000 US cases of syphilis were reported in 2019. The highest rates are among men who have sex with men. Syphilis is treatable. Syphilis is treatable with the right antibiotics from your healthcare provider. How It's Spread Syphilis can be spread when there is direct contact with a syphilis sore. This can happen during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can find these sores on or around the penis, vagina, anus, in the rectum, on the lips, or in the mouth. It can spread from an infected mother to her unborn baby as well. Symptoms There are four stages to Syphilis: Primary, Secondary, Latent, and Tertiary Syphilis. Primary Syphilis Generally, there is a sore or multiple sores at the original site of the infection. These sores are most commonly found on or around the genitals, anus, rectum, and mouth. They are also usually, but not always, firm, round, and painless. Secondary Syphilis This can include a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fevers. The signs of primary and secondary syphilis can be mild and might not be noticed. Latent Stage This stage has no signs or even symptoms. It's also called the hidden stage. It can last for years, and you can still transmit syphilis during this period. Tertiary Syphilis This is associated with severe medical problems. A doctor can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests. It can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body. Getting Tested Testing for syphilis is a little different from other bacterial STIs. To test for syphilis, your doctor will take a small blood sample rather than a urine sample. It's important to get tested regularly. If you're sexually active, this means at least once per year. Even if you or your partner don't show symptoms, you should follow this general rule of thumb. Seriously. If left untreated for too long, syphilis can attack your heart, brain, eyes, and other organs. It could also not show up for years and could even possibly kill you. If you're pregnant, you could also pass it to your baby. So, do you and your partner a HUGE favor and put your minds at ease. Click here to find a local testing center. Testing Positive So, your results came back positive. The first thing to remember is that this is nothing to be ashamed of. If you or your partner have syphilis, it does not necessarily mean anyone cheated. Test results may not detect the infection until well after contracting it. How do I get rid of it? Syphilis is easily treatable with the correct antibiotics from your healthcare provider when diagnosed in its early stages. The preferred treatment at all stages is penicillin. However, if you’re allergic to penicillin, your doctor may suggest a different antibiotic or can recommend penicillin desensitization. Even if you seek treatment, it does NOT mean it will undo any harm or damage already done by this infection. In order to see if the treatment is working, you may have to take periodic blood tests. It is suggested that you get tested for HIV as well. This is because you have a higher chance of contracting HIV if you test positive for syphilis. If you have both HIV and syphilis, you can spread both of them more easily. Often, your doctor may give you medicine for both you and your partner(s). It is important that BOTH of you finish your treatment and don't have any sexual contact until your sores are healed. For real, getting frisky can wait. If you don't take your antibiotics all the way through, you run the risk of re-infecting your partner or other people. Willingly risking your or your partner's sexual health isn't sexy. Peace of mind is sexy. Always make sure to listen to your doctor to effectively get rid of syphilis. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, July 29). National Overview - Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2019 . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2019/default.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, June 8). STD Facts - Syphilis . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 5). Syphilis statistics - STD information from CDC . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stats.htm Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, September 25). Syphilis . Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351762

Read on to see how PRISM ensures our services are as accurate as possible. < Return to Sexual Health STI Clinic Vetting Program A safeguard of our resources Read on to see how PRISM ensures our services are as accurate as possible. What is the STI Clinic Search? PRISM's STI Clinic Search is a network of easily accessible, affordable, and non-discriminiatory health centers that offer STI testing in South Florida. For every clinic in our system, PRISM provides the location, contact information, types of tests offered, pricing, and operating hours. For many clinics, PRISM also gives further information on wait times, parking, other services offered, and more! What is the STI Clinic Vetting Program? PRISM regularly updates our information through our STI Clinic Vetting Program. This volunteer-led initiative has people like you go through the entire process of getting tested at the clinics we list on our site, from booking an appointment/doing a walk-in all the way to receiving their results. If our volunteers don’t have a good experience, we’ll tell you why! Do I need to be a part of the STI Clinic Vetting Program to review a clinic? No! Anyone who's received an STI test at one of the clinics listed on our site is welcome to complete this survey to tell us about their experience. If you are not enrolled in the program, you can find the link to the survey by going to our STI Clinic Search and clicking "More Info" on the relevant clinic. Participants in the STI Clinic Vetting Program get tested at clinics specifically to report on the quality of services offered. Participants are given training on STIs and testing, as well as what to expect when getting tested. They are also required to ask specific questions to clinic staff to gather complete information on the clinic. Community service is also offered to participants who are enrolled in the program. Do I have to disclose my test results to participate in the STI Clinic Vetting Program? No! PRISM only asks that participants provide information on the time and manner in which they got their results. If you decide to do so, you may also provide information about case management services that you receive after testing positive. However, this is completely optional. What are the eligibility requirements for participating in the program? PRISM aims to ensure that the clinics we refer are welcoming to everyone. In order to achieve this, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Volunteers must meet the following requirements in order to participate in the STI Clinic Vetting Program: Must be 18 years of age or older (or 14 years of age with permission from a parent or legal guardian) Must be capable of providing sufficient transportation to intended STI testing centers Must reside in Palm Beach County, Broward County, or Miami-Dade County How do I get involved in the STI Clinic Vetting Program? Interested in helping out? We'd love to have you! You can start by filling out a Volunteer Application Form or contacting us directly. Make sure to check the box next to "I'm interested in learning more about the STI Clinic Vetting Program" .

Learn about how LGBT rights got to where they are and the amazing people who fought along the way. < Return to Learn LGBTQ+ History What led us here From the history of the pride flag to marriage equality, learn all about the journey of our fight for equal rights Ancient History Homosexuality in Latin America The history of homosexuality in pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial Latin America. Learn More Homosexuality in Ancient China Learn about Homosexuality in Ancient China, how gender and class affected same-sex relationships and the history of the term "cut-sleeve." Learn More Homosexuality in the Pre-Colonial Americas Learn about how homosexuality is intrinsically linked with the diverse gender structure of native tribes. Learn More Gender Expression in East Asian Cultures East Asia has a vibrant history of queerness, particularly regarding life outside of the gender binary. Learn More Homosexuality in Medieval Europe Learn about the history and laws surrounding homosexuality in Medieval Europe. Learn More Sappho of Lesbos Learn about the legendary poet Sappho and why she's known as the "lesbian muse." Learn More Homosexuality in Ancient Europe Although "homosexuality" is a modern term, same-gender attraction has been documented since ancient times. Learn More Modern History Earring Magic Ken The scandalous story of Earring Magic Ken—the first, and maybe only, accidentally gay Barbie doll. Learn More 70s and 80s Club Culture Gay clubs of the 70s and 80s were vibrant safe spaces, especially for queer and trans people of color. Learn More The Fight for Marriage Equality For decades, the LGBTQ+ community fought for marriage equality. Here's the story of that struggle. Learn More Homosexuality as a Mental Illness It wasn't until 1973 that homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association. Learn More Pulse Shooting The Pulse nightclub shooting was a devastating tragedy for the LGBTQ+ community. Learn More Stonewall Riots The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a response to police brutality against the LGBTQ+ community. Learn More 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 LGBTQ+ Historical Figures Bayard Rustin Bayard Rustin was an American civil rights activist who fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learn More Malcolm X Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister and Civil Rights activist. Learn More Willi Ninja Willi Ninja was an African American dancer and choreographer known as the "Godfather of Voguing." Learn More Alan Turing Alan Turing was an openly gay British mathematician considered to be the father of the modern-day computer. Learn More Harvey Milk Harvey Milk was a fearless advocate and the first openly gay elected official in the United States. Learn More Sylvia Rivera Sylvia Rivera was a Latina LGBTQ+ activist and pioneer of the queer civil rights movement. Learn More 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2

It's National Trivia Day, and PRISM is here to test your knowledge on gender and sexuality, LGBT history, and sexual health! It's National Trivia Day! < Return to Resources Take the quiz below to test your knowledge.

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Want to get involved with PRISM? Fill out a volunteer application to get started. < Return to Get Involved Volunteer Form Join us in our mission to make the world a better place Do you love design? Are you great at public speaking? Maybe your passion is educating others. Whatever it is, there's a place in PRISM for everyone. We recommend reading more about our task forces before starting your application.

Learn about who we are and find contact info for our staff here. Maxx Fenning (Executive Director), Steven Rocha (Policy Director), Avion Goordeen (Outreach Director), Eric Mendoza (Content Creation Director), Sarah Bruso (Website Manager), Fabian Ungaro (P-SAP Manager). Our Staff Meet our team Learn about who we are and find contact info for our staff here. Maxx Fenning Executive Director Email: maxxfenning@prismfl.org Maxx recently earned his degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. A staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and sexual health education, Maxx is the Executive Director of PRISM. He is also an active creator on TikTok, where he educates on many of the same topics that PRISM addresses. In his free time, Maxx enjoys singing and graphic design. Miles Davis Policy Director Email: milesdavis@prismfl.org Miles Davis has a diverse background in legislative affairs, voting rights advocacy, and political campaigns. He served as Chief of Staff in the Florida Senate, where he provided strategic guidance on policy initiatives and built strong relationships with community leaders and state agencies. As Florida Voting Rights Director at America Votes, Miles worked to protect and expand voter access, collaborating with state and local stakeholders to create coordinated strategies. He has also led teams on high-profile political campaigns, serving as a Political Director and Campaign Manager for statewide and regional efforts. Miles is passionate about empowering communities, advancing civic engagement, and fostering equitable opportunities for all. Avion Goordeen Outreach Director Email: aviongoordeen@prismfl.org Avion is a bisexual man and a first-generation immigrant from the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. He has a Master's in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and has been involved in LGBTQ+ activism and leadership since 2018. This includes working with CompassGLCC and being a member of the board of directors of Night Runners WPB. In his free time, Avion enjoys paddleboarding, photography and is currently a fan of the manga, One Piece. Alexander Puga Content Creation Director Email: alexanderpuga@prismfl.org A Miami-born creative with a passion for storytelling that uplifts and represents marginalized communities. With a background in film, content creation, and brand strategy, Alex brings bold visuals and culturally rooted narratives to life. He has led campaigns for local businesses, fashion brands, and queer initiatives. As Content Creation Director at PRISM, Alex is here to celebrate queer voices and create space for joy and identity across every platform. Outside of work, you’ll find him biking around the city, sweating through a workout, singing, or hanging with his boyfriend and their two pups, Nino and Winston Hannah Neuman Fundraising Director Email: hannahneuman@prismfl.org Hannah is a genderqueer lesbian from Jacksonville, FL with a BSc from Florida State University. They have an extensive background in education and youth empowerment, and a deep passion for community-building. Over the last three years, they have co-directed two small non-profits focused on uplifting houseless individuals and local artists by expanding access to vital resources. Hannah is currently plans to pursue a Masters of Social Work in 2025. As a Jewish member of the queer community, they are dedicated to Collective Liberation—actively uplifting Palestinian voices in their fight for freedom at every opportunity. In addition to advocacy work, Hannah enjoys practicing astrology, tarot, art, and vegan cooking. In their free time, you can often find them taking a long hike through nature, working on a magazine collage, or performing with their indie-rock band “No Parts”. Auxmary Valdez P-SAP Manager Email: auxmaryvaldez@prismfl.org Auxmary Valdez is a queer woman and daughter of first-generation Venezuelan and Nicaraguan immigrants. She is a former sex educator and current University of Central Florida student, double majoring in Political Science and Biomedical Sciences. Damian Thomas Website Design Manager Email: damianthomas@prismfl.org Damian Thomas is a full-stack web developer who has been working in and around progressive politics since 2017. Off the clock, he's a history nerd, fighting game enthusiast, and musician.

Outreach Correspondents use their bountiful charisma (and sometimes terrifyingly undying enthusiasm) to share PRISM and expand our volunteer base. < Return to Task Forces Outreach Task Force (OTF) The Outreach Task Force coordinates events and other activities to spread awareness of the amazing work PRISM does and build connections with the community. Our outreach correspondants are spreading the word, one connection at a time. About Members Programs Join What does the Outreach Task Force do? The Outreach Task Force coordinates events and other activities to spread awareness of the amazing work PRISM does and builds connections with the community. Who makes up the Outreach Task Force? Outreach Director The Outreach Director helps get the word out about PRISM at events and online! From volunteer recruitment to coordinating in-person events, the love and soul they provide makes PRISM all the more lively. Volunteer Outreach Correspondents The social butterflies of PRISM's membership, Outreach Correspondents share PRISM by actively seeking out volunteers, donors, and supporters through social media or at Outreach events. How does the Outreach Task Force share PRISM? Get The Word Out Events One of the most prominent methods that Outreach Correspondents gain support for PRISM is through Get The Word Out events, where volunteers go out into the community to share PRISM and answer questions. These can be markets, festivals, fundraisers, and more! And More! Our Outreach Task Force is always developing new ways to get the word out about PRISM. Check back here or sign up for our newsletter to find out about future initiatives! How do I join the Outreach Task Force? Interested in helping out? We'd love to have you. You can start by filling out a Volunteer Application Form , applying to one of the many positions in the Outreach Task Force, or contacting us directly. Back to Top About Members Join

We're tired of queer censorship. Are you? We're tired of queer censorship. Are you? Learn more about what's happening, why it's important, and how you can #SavePRISM . What's happening? On January 6th, 2022, PRISM's Instagram account (@prism.fl) was deactivated without warning due to "suspicious activity." After exhausting all automated support options (there is no direct support line for Instagram, Facebook, or their parent company, Meta), we have been unsuccessful in restoring our account thus far. Even after attempting to make a second account (@prism.lgbt ), it was flagged and deactivated within 30 minutes . Instagram has always been our home for educating, networking, and fundraising. PRISM receives almost half of its individual donations through Instagram, a platform that we use to reach tens of thousands of youth every day . As an LGBTQ-led organization, our staff and volunteers have personally been no stranger to online bigotry and censorship from overzealous algorithms. Queer people have long been the target of homophobic and racially motivated attacks, and now we face something much more dangerous: Big data and AI have made social media algorithms homophobic and racially motivated, too. Now PRISM, an organization that has never had a community guidelines violation on Instagram before, has been forcefully removed from a platform that we use to create a lifeline for thousands of young people. Update (2/16/2022): After much persistence, we were able to get our original account (@prism.fl) restored! Thank you so much to Frederick from OutYouth for getting in touch with a Meta team member on our behalf and working to restore our account. However, our fight doesn't end here. Queer censorship is a global problem and it happens every day. We'll be using #SavePRISM until March 29th to continue raising awareness. Please keep sharing the hashtag #SavePRISM to support this fight. How can I help? We cannot sit by and allow the vital work we do to be snuffed out by automated systems and corporate apathy. That's why we're reaching out to you for help. Use the hashtag #SavePRISM on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to share a story about: How PRISM has impacted you A social media platform refusing to put a stop to homophobia towards you or someone you know, or Content you've made being taken down simply because you discussed queer topics For every story you share between February 1st and March 29th (PRISM's birthday), these organizations, individuals, and businesses will donate $1 to support our work to make South Florida for every color and for everyone: Lombucket Ltd Sarah Bruso Maxx Fenning CJ Walden And more! In all, our current donation pledges total $1,200... and we're only three weeks into our campaign! Not only does your participation support the work that we do, but it also sheds light on just how important that work is. How do I join the pledge? Do you, your organization, or your business want to join the pledge to #SavePRISM? To join the pledge and have your name featured on our "I Support Queer Youth" list, send an email to info@prismfl.org with the subject "#SavePRISM Pledge" and the following: The name of you, your business, or your organization Your maximum total donation pledge (optional) Whether you'd like to be featured publicly on our "I S upport Queer Youth" list A picture of you or a logo for your business or organization (optional) For every story shared with the hashtag #SavePRISM , you'll donate $1 to PRISM (up to your maximum pledge amount). We'll tally up the total number of posts on Tuesday, March 29th. Resources Here are some sources that discuss just how harmful AI and big data can be to LGBTQ+ and nonwhite people: McCluskey, M. (2020, July 22). Black Tiktok creators say their content is being suppressed . Time. https://time.com/5863350/tiktok-black-creators/ Tomasev, N., McKee, K. R., Kay, J., & Mohamed, S. (2021). Fairness for unobserved characteristics: Insights from technological impacts on queer communities . Proceedings of the 2021 AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society. https://doi.org/10.1145/3461702.3462540 York, J. C. (2021, September 21). How LGBTQ+ content is censored under the guise of "sexually explicit" . Electronic Frontier Foundation. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/how-lgbtq-content-censored-under-guise-sexually-explicit Nouri, S. (2021, December 10). Council post: The role of bias in Artificial Intelligence. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/02/04/the-role-of-bias-in-artificial-intelligence/?sh=437ac67d579d

PRISM’s Policy Task Force works to advance innovative laws and policies and pushes back against bad bills to ensure that no one suffers discrimination or harassment on the basis of their sexual orientation, race, or gender identity. The Policy Task Force solves challenges at the local, state, and national levels, with an emphasis on fighting for the LGBTQ+ community, especially LGBTQ+ people of color across South Florida. < Return to Task Forces Policy Task Force (PTF) PRISM’s Policy Task Force works to advance innovative laws and policies and pushes back against bad bills to ensure that no one suffers discrimination or harassment on the basis of their sexual orientation, race, or gender identity. The Policy Task Force solves challenges at the local, state, and national levels, with an emphasis on fighting for the LGBTQ+ community, especially LGBTQ+ people of color across South Florida. < Return to Task Forces Policy Task Force Activism on all levels. Learn how the Policy Task Force fights for the LGBTQ+ community across South Florida. About Members Join What does the Policy Task Force do? PRISM’s Policy Task Force works to advance innovative laws and policies and pushes back against bad bills to ensure that no one suffers discrimination or harassment on the basis of their sexual orientation, race, or gender identity. The Policy Task Force solves challenges at the local, state, and national levels, with an emphasis on fighting for the LGBTQ+ community, especially LGBTQ+ people of color across South Florida. Who makes up the Policy Task Force? Policy Director Our Policy Director, Steven Rocha, leads grassroots actions to influence public opinion on key issues and fight for LGBTQ+ rights across the state. In addition, the Policy Director will recruit and train activists as they keep a close eye on current and upcoming legislative policies that will impact the queer community. How do I join the Policy Task Force? Interested in helping out? We'd love to have you! You can start by filling out a Volunteer Application Form or contacting us directly. Back to Top About Members Join