Editor's note: The new LGBTQIA+ Center will host a grand opening on Jan. 24, 2025, from 7 to 10 p.m. at 1201 N. Lime Ave.

After 14 years of serving the LGBTQ+ community through events, arts and advocacy, the Fabulous Arts Foundation is opening a brick-and-mortar location in Sarasota’s Limelight District today. The space, designed to be a hub for arts, mental health services and community support, will host a soft opening tonight, Friday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. Previous plans had it opening sooner, but the effects of October's Hurricane Milton, a Cat. 3 storm, delayed it as the building underwent updates.

Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the foundation and the new center, envisions it as a place where people of all identities can feel safe, access resources and connect with others. "We’ve been holding space without walls for 14 years, and now we have a home," Fortner says. As for the name: it's simply the LGBTQ+ Center, and Fortner is confident the name will "grow into what the community needs."

The center will offer a range of services, including mental health resources, art therapy and creative outlets for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals. Fortner emphasizes the importance of the space in addressing gaps in services, especially for those aging out of youth programming.

“We’re picking up where other organizations leave off, providing support for adults who no longer have a safe space,” Fortner says. However, partnerships with local nonprofits will also help drive the mission.

Mental health support is a key focus of the new center, and its "Brain Lab" will serve as a quiet space for those needing a break from live events that could be overwhelming for some people. Clinician-led support groups and one-on-one therapy will also be available, and plans for art workshops, art shows and performances are already in the works.

In 2023, the ACLU tracked of 510 anti-LGBTQ+ laws, 84 of which were passed into law. "The current [political] climate is taking a serious toll on mental health, and parents fear for their children's safety, especially in schools," Fortner says. "For those of us who have been advocating for years, it's overwhelming; it wasn't this bad even 14 years ago. People need creative outlets to process their trauma, and our center will offer drop-in times and a variety of programs to support them."

The center will also be home to a range of fun events, from outdoor markets to book clubs, as will act as a sober space for those in recovery. Fortner hopes these programs will create a sense of belonging and healing in the face of increasing legislative attacks on Florida's LGBTQ+ community.

The 1,500-square-foot building will eventually expand to include additional programming as the center enters its second phase. The long-term vision includes a larger performance space while continuing to offer mental health services.

“The recent wave of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has left many feeling scared and isolated,” Fortner says. “We need spaces where people can connect and heal. This center is about creating that space.”

The LGBTQ+ Center's soft opening, which is free to the public, is Friday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. Click here to register. For more information about upcoming events, like the annual Fabulous Independent Film Festival, the Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest and more, visit fabaf.org.