Our Mission

"Galaei is Queer, Trans, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color radical social justice organization serving the Latine/a/o/x community while widening our embrace. Galaei provides services, support, and advocacy for all QTBIPOC communities. Galaei mobilizes for access, opportunity, sexual empowerment, and economic justice while overcoming systemic oppression, structural racism, discrimination, and white supremacy. As the largest Queer and Trans operated organization north of Vine street in Philadelphia, we pride ourselves on employing a syndemic approach and metric to serve the community. We do this with vibrant and engaging programming including Youth Programming (SPLAT), Prevention and Education Programming (POP), Trans services (TINGS) and programming for Pride and National Coming OUT Day (Philly Pride 365). All of these programs provide life saving linkages to resources and care. We are proud to be a unifying force that mobilizes the marginalized QTBIPOC peoples in Philadelphia with our primary and centering force being love, care, and affirmation for QTBIPOC. Galaei was founded under the revolutionary leadership of founder David Acosta. GALAEI (formerly the Gay and Lesbian AIDS Education Initiative) opened its doors in 1989. Galaei was founded to confront the pain, hurt, and fear resulting from the loss of LGBTQ+ Latine/a/o/x lives to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Galaei, for 35 years, has provided a home and familia to the city of Philadelphia and so many individuals who have stepped through our doors for respite, resources, and the kind of love, support, and compassion that queer, trans, brown, black, indigenous, and people of color give freely to all who are in need. Our mission of radical social justice is rooted in the radical love that we pursue each day for trans and queer people city wide, nation wide, and globally."