COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

GAYS AND LESBIANS LIVING IN A TRANSGENDER SOCIETY INC
Ozone Park, NY · EIN 861334710 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · glitsinc.org
revenue
$668K
expenses
$584K
net assets
$-40K
employees
4
volunteers
160
program ratio
78%
mission · from form 990

G.L.I.T.S is a direct services organization that is dedicated to fighting systemic discrimination against marginalized communities, in New York City and beyond. We provide services and support to the community. We focus on housing justice, community empowerment, long-term success, harm reduction, and our fundamental human rights.

profile · synthesized from sources

G.L.I.T.S is a Black trans-led nonprofit organization based in New York City that provides direct services and advocacy for marginalized LGBTQ+ communities, with a focus on housing justice, harm reduction, and community empowerment. The organization operates permanent and emergency housing programs, leadership development, and wellness initiatives primarily for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) within the trans and gender-nonconforming community. Founded in 2015, it centers the needs of trans people, particularly trans women of color and those impacted by incarceration, homelessness, and HIV.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $220K
    G.L.I.T.S provides permanent housing services for community members.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Emergency Fund
Core program responding to urgent community needs such as food, clothing, healthcare access, and crisis intervention for vulnerable LGBTQ+ individuals.
Emergency Housing
Trans-operated emergency housing program offering temporary shelter, rental subsidies, financial consulting, tenant rights education, and housing placement services for formerly incarcerated or unhoused BIPOC trans individuals.
GLITS 1 South
12-unit apartment building in Queens, NY, owned and operated by G.L.I.T.S, providing permanent housing for predominantly Black trans community members through the Leadership Academy, which supports education, career development, and leadership training.
Harm Reduction & End of Life Support
Services including safety training around drug use, sex work, and suicidality, as well as support for funerals, gender-affirming burials, wills, and life insurance for trans community members and their families.
Study & Work
Program to support community members in completing education and securing sustainable employment, including plans for a trans-affirming learning center at G.L.I.T.S 1 South to provide tutoring and academic support in a safe environment.
Wellness Centers
Initiative to create two trans-owned wellness and retreat centers: one at Jacob Riis Beach in Brooklyn for community gathering and employment, and another in Upstate New York for rest, healing, and connection with nature.
activities · 13 groups

What they do

  • LGBTQ+ Legal and Policy Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocate for institutional and systemic change in healthcare and public policy
      Engages in advocacy to improve LGBTQ+ care practices, including helping implement affirming intake protocols at a major hospital that led to national recognition. Partners with public health agencies on policy and practice reform.
  • Reentry Support Services 1 activity
    • Deliver reentry and reintegration services for formerly incarcerated LGBTQIA+ individuals
      Provides structured reentry support through the Layleen Polanco Reentry Program and other initiatives, offering housing, de-escalation services, educational resources, and workforce development for transgender and LGBTQIA+ individuals returning from incarceration, including those from Rikers Island.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Deliver workforce development, educational, and scholarship support
      Supports community members in achieving sustainable employment, completing degrees, and accessing entrepreneurial opportunities. Provides scholarships, books, food, and clothing assistance to those in need.
  • LGBTQ+ Community Support and Resource Centers 1 activity
    • Host community programming, workshops, and events
      Operates a community space at GLITS 1 South that hosts guest lecturers, workshops, educational programming, and events such as Pride gatherings and focus groups. Organizes annual events at Jacob Riis Beach to foster community engagement and safety.
  • Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Offer leadership development and capacity-building programs for the TLGBQIA+ community
      Operates the Leadership Academy and other leadership development initiatives to build personal and organizational power within the community. Programs are designed to train and empower community members to lead and sustain advocacy and service efforts.
  • Community Safety Patrols & Security Support 1 activity
    • Operate community safety and de-escalation programs
      Runs the Jacob Riis Beach Safety Ambassador Project, providing community-based safety and de-escalation services at public gatherings. Trains community members to serve as first responders and safety advocates in high-risk environments.
  • Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
    • Operate permanent and emergency housing for Black trans and LGBTQ+ community members
      Owns and operates GLITS 1 South, a 12-unit apartment building in Queens, NY, providing permanent, inclusive, and discrimination-free housing for Black trans individuals. Also provides emergency relocation and temporary safe housing for those escaping violence, homelessness, or incarceration, including reentry support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • HIV Research and Advocacy Funding 1 activity
    • Participate in national and global public health campaigns
      Collaborates on HIV/AIDS prevention, outreach, and research initiatives at local, national, and global levels. Participates in campaigns such as "HIV Stops With Me," NYC's "In Care" campaign, and Janssen's Positively Fearless Global campaign.
  • LGBTQ+ Immigrant and Asylum Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide asylum and immigration assistance for LGBTQIA+ individuals fleeing persecution
      Facilitates asylum processes and emergency relocation for LGBTQIA+ immigrants, including high-risk cases such as Alia Adams from Uganda. Supports asylum seekers through intercession, legal aid, and coordination with global networks and community leaders.
  • Domestic Violence Survivor Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide comprehensive emergency and crisis support services
      Delivers emergency aid including bail assistance, medical support, food, clothing, safe transportation, mental health services, and emergency relocation for LGBTQIA+ individuals in crisis. Supports survivors of domestic violence and those released from incarceration with urgent housing and safety needs.
  • Cemetery and Cremation Services 1 activity
    • Provide end-of-life and homegoing support for community members
      Offers gender-affirming burials, funeral arrangements, and support for wills and life insurance. Organizes homegoing services for TLGBQIA+ individuals who have died from natural causes or violence, ensuring dignity and cultural respect.
  • Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide harm reduction, safety training, and health referrals
      Offers training and support on drug use, sex work, suicidality, and street safety for Black trans and BIPOC community members. Provides physical and mental health referrals, including access to hormone replacement therapy, and promotes community-based wellness and harm reduction strategies.
  • LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency & Community Education 1 activity
    • Provide organizational training on serving marginalized communities
      Offers training programs to other organizations to improve their capacity to work effectively and affirmingly with Black trans, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$668K
Contributions & grants$553K83%
Program service revenue$114K17%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$584K
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$192K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$215K
Cash$160K
Investments$0
Liabilities$256K
Net assets$-40K
Liquid reserves3.3 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue -5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Ceyenne Doroshow Founder/ CEO 40 $145K
Jahlove Serrano President 25 $2K
board members · 5
  • BeyonG Valkamp — Vice President
  • Edward Powell — Treasurer
  • Justin Carter — Board Member
  • Tathiana Fermin — Secretary
  • Victoria Von Blaque — Board Member
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • Alianza Translatinx Partner — Cecilia Gentili served on the board of Alianza Translatinx, a California-based organization advocating for transgender inclusivity, reflecting a formal organizational relationship.
  • Brooklyn Liberation March Partner — Participated in and delivered a keynote speech at the Brooklyn Liberation March in June 2020.
  • Callen-Lorde Partner — Received training from Victoria Von Blaque on working with marginalized communities.
  • CenterLink Network — Member of CenterLink, a national association of LGBTQIA community centers with international affiliations, enabling global dialogue and support for asylum seekers.
  • Ceyenne Doroshow Partner — Director of GLITS who leads daily outreach and support efforts for transgender women.
  • Ceyenne Doroshow Partner — Founder and Executive Director of G.L.I.T.S, leading organizational vision and strategy.
  • Gay Men’s Health Crisis Partner — Cecilia Gentili, a key figure associated with GLITS, served as managing director of policy at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, indicating a professional and organizational affiliation.
  • Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS North America (GNP+NA) Partner — Collaborates with Jahlove on HIV/AIDS prevention, outreach, and research.
  • Howie the Harp Partner — Received training from Victoria Von Blaque on working with marginalized communities.
  • Layleen Polanco Reentry Program Partner — GLITS operates the Layleen Polanco Reentry Program as a public safety and reentry initiative for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
  • NYC AIDS Institute Partner — Collaborates with Jahlove on HIV/AIDS prevention, outreach, and research.
  • National Gay Mens Advocacy Coalition Partner — Collaborates with Jahlove on HIV/AIDS prevention, outreach, and research.
  • New York City Department of Health Government — Collaborates with Jahlove on public health campaigns including the NYC "In Care" campaign.
  • The White House Government — Engaged in collaboration on HIV/AIDS initiatives.
  • community members Partner — Community members volunteer in support of GLITS programs and vision.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community Autonomy via Trans-Owned Infrastructure
    methodology: community-owned infrastructure
    By operating Black trans-owned and community-run housing and facilities, the organization ensures community self-determination and resists external control because ownership and governance by the affected population produce more responsive, culturally grounded outcomes.
  • Healing-Centered, Dignity-Preserving Care
    methodology: healing_centered_care
    By prioritizing dignity, respect, and healing in all services—including end-of-life care—the organization counters dehumanization and builds resilience because affirming the full humanity of TLGBQIA+ people fosters trust, engagement, and collective well-being.
  • Housing Justice as Foundation for Empowerment
    methodology: housing-justice-centered direct services
    By delivering direct services centered on housing justice, the organization addresses systemic discrimination and enables community empowerment and long-term success because secure housing is a prerequisite for engagement in health, economic, and social systems.
  • Leadership Development through Holistic Stability
    methodology: leadership_academy
    By combining housing stability with support for education, career, and artistic growth, the organization cultivates future community leaders because stable foundations enable long-term personal and leadership development.
  • Solutions Led by Lived Experience
    methodology: led_by_lived_experience
    By developing and leading advocacy and programs through individuals with lived experience of systemic inequity, the organization creates more effective and sustainable solutions because those most impacted understand the problems best and can design authentic, accountable interventions.