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 for 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
Lex
Soto
Institute for Community Living
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
non-profit to help queer folks who are
in crisis and need immediate services
that are not necessarily available at
traditional clinics.
42 2021 Impact Awards | www.gaycitynews.com
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