In 1969, gay and lesbian students organized to form The People's Coalition for Gay Rights, which later became the Alliance for Gay Awareness. This primarily political organization was active in the gay rights movement of the 1970's. In 1973, the staff of Student Health Services formed Gay Peer Volunteers to provide peer support for gays and lesbians.

In 1984, a new student organization, Gay/Lesbian Support Services, was formed to continue and expand upon the goals and services of the preceding organizations. The name was later changed to Gay/Lesbian Student Union and subsequently to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Student Union. In 1995, legislation was passed to make the LGBSU an Executive Agency. The organization's name was once again changed to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Student Union in 1999. Today, this organization works as an integral part of the Student Government Association at Florida State.