In queer subculture, asking someone if they're a "Friend of Dorothy's" was a coded way of finding community after the 1940s. It was a subtle and discreet search for safety and acceptance in a time when being openly queer was dangerous.

We've adopted this name because our mission is the same: to provide a safe harbor for queer individuals in a world that can still be unsafe. While we have made progress since the 1940s, many LGBTQ+ people still find themselves in vulnerable situations, often without a place to turn after being outed or rejected by their families.

According to the National Center for the Homeless, roughly 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ+, despite only making up 10% of the U.S. population. A survey by Williams Institute at UCLA found that 68% of the homeless youth faced rejection from their family for coming out.

This is why this website was developed. Friends of Dorothy's is intended to be an online resource for those that are facing homelessness or abuse for living as their authentic selves. The community-driven map is updated monthly to include centers and resources recommended by users. Please consider recommending a resource or new location near you to help expand our network!