Lex Soto
Lex Soto is a non-profit leader
who has dedicated their career to
helping LGBTQ youth experiencing
homelessness and mental health issues.
Lex is currently the program director at
Institute Community Living (ICL), where they
run an Article 31 outpatient clinic serving 68
individuals living with severe mental health
issues. In this position, Lex has worked to
advocate for the needs of LGBTQ people and
give them a voice in spaces where they are
often dismissed.
Lex has also worked with the agency to
create trainings and programs to educate folks
on how to best provide services and care for
LGBTQ individuals.
Lex has been driven to help others since high
school, but the most significant motivating
factor came when their best friend was kicked
out of her house after coming out as
lesbian to her parents. From that
point forward, Lex embarked on a
mission to create safe and equal
spaces for LGBTQ people.
Lex went on to major in
women’s studies at the
University of California,
Riverside, working as a peer
mentor for LGBTQ students
struggling with their identities.
As an intern working with homeless
LGBTQ youth through the Ali Forney
Center, Lex assisted individuals in
obtaining stable housing.
One day Lex hopes to open their own nonprofit
to help queer folks who are in crisis
and need immediate services that are not
necessarily available at traditional clinics.
Congratulations
LEX
"On behalf of our 15,000 clients across New York City, our
sta and our Board of Directors, ICL congratulates LEX on
this well-earned award. ICL is proud to serve so many
individuals and families of the LGBTQ community, and
LEX embodies the excellence with which we strive to help
people get better with us."
Institute
Community
Living
www.gaycitynews.com | 2021 Impact Awards 25
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