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About Us

ARAY was founded in 2017 to put an end to the harassment, silencing, and stigma that LGBTQ+ youth face in Charlotte County, Florida. We support and affirm LGBTQ+ youth through weekly in-person and virtual peer support sessions, a free hygiene product closet, and LGBTQ+ inclusion training by nationally recognized presenters, all while advocating to make Charlotte County a place where all people are free to be themselves.

Our Mission

Our mission is to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​place​ ​of​ ​support and​ ​provide​ ​information,​ ​advocacy,​ ​and​ ​resources​ ​in​ ​Charlotte​ ​County ​for​ ​LGBTQ+ youth and allies.

Two queer youth stand with their backs facing the camera, one is wearing the progress pride flag as a cape and the other is wearing a rainbow flag as a cape.
ARAY volunteers speak to local youth at an outreach event

Our Vision

Our vision is to​ ​progress​ ​beyond​ ​inclusion,​ ​to​ justice and equity for​ ​LGBTQ+​ ​youth​ ​in​ ​our​ ​world.  

Local youth pose in an ARAY outreach booth
Youth at an ARAY drop in make a marble run

Our Team

A headshot of ARAY board president, Hal Trejo. They are a white nonbinary person with curly silver hair and glasses wearing a light blue suit and smiling.

Hal Trejo

Board President

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Board Treasurer

Board Secretary

Board Member

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