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LGBTQIA+ relationships and dating violence

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LGBTQIA+ relationships and dating violence

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One in three adolescents in the U.S. will be the victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. This figure is much higher than any other type of youth violence. And abuse isn't just happening in heterosexual relationships. It affects all types of people and relationships. It doesn't discriminate.

In the queer community, dating violence is often perceived as a heterosexual relationship problem, normal or not as severe because the individuals share the same gender expression or gender. This is not true!

Dating abuse is just as serious in LGBTQIA+ relationships as it is in heterosexual relationships. And less than 25% of those who experience dating violence in the LGBTQIA+ community ever report the abuse.

Whether it is being recognized or not, dating violence in the queer community is something that needs to be talked about!

Individuals experiencing dating abuse in LGBTQIA+ relationships may:

Feel embarrassed about the abuse going on.

Feel like their partner will try to turn the community against them if they do something their partner disagrees with or if they decide to end the relationship.

Be worried their partner will "out" them to family and friends if they're not out already or their partner may threaten to "out" them as a way to gain power and control over them.

Be in their first LGBTQIA+ relationship and their partner may be isolating them from the rest of the queer community as a form of power and control.

Be made to feel ashamed about their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression by their partner.

Feel like their partner is the only person that will ever love them because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Be worried that they won't be able to get help because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression if they reach out.

Everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or gender expression deserves a healthy relationship where they are treated with respect and valued for who they are.

Remember, you're worth it!

However unique the challenge, if you or someone you know is experiencing dating violence in an LGBTQIA+ relationship, there is hope! You have the right to reach out when you are in need of help, regardless of how you identify or who you date.

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LGBTQIA+ relationships and dating violence

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Many people do not know the dynamics of LGBTQ relationships and dating abuse. Learn about the unique challenges & barriers people face.

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Thousands of students around the Bay Area participated in school walkouts Wednesday to demand stricter gun laws, part of a nationwide string of student demonstrations spurred by last month's mass shooting at a Florida high school.

It's the latest and most widespread indication that a youth-led movement, initially started by the survivors of the shooting, has taken hold nationally.

Almost immediately after 17 students and faculty were shot to death at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14, a group of student survivors turned horrific tragedy into a powerful call to action.

Students took to the streets and the airwaves, demanding local and national officials tighten notoriously loose state and national gun laws that allowed the troubled 19-year-old shooting suspect to so easily purchase a military-style assault rifle.

Teach with the Lowdown

Suggestions for nonfiction analysis, writing/discussion prompts and multimedia projects. Browse our entire lesson plan collection here.

Within four days of the shooting, the students had come up with a name for their movement (Never Again), a policy demand (stricter background checks for gun buyers), and a date for a nationwide protest in Washington, D.C. (the March for Our Lives, scheduled for March 24th).

It's an impressive feat of activism by a notably resilient group of high school students, most too young to vote.

In their coverage of the emerging movement, many news outlets conveyed a sense of surprise that young people would so strongly assert themselves and take leadership on an issue that directly affects them.

But they shouldn't be.

This is hardly the first time high school students have led the charge in pushing for nationwide reforms. In fact, the nascent Never Again movement follows in a long tradition of middle and high school students who, despite being too young to vote, have helped lead landmark social and political movements. Among the most recent (and often overlooked) examples include the young people on the frontline of the Black Lives Matter movement , activists fighting for immigration reform, and the group of American Indian youth who helped spark the Standing Rock movement in South Dakota last winter.

Scroll through this timeline to explore just a handful of the many movements led by young folks, 18 and under, that helped shape the society we live in today. Note that this is far from an exhaustive list, so if we've overlooked a major movement that you think deserves inclusion, please let us know!
VIEW FULL-SCREEN VERSION HERE
As University of Oklahoma professor Kathryn Schumaker noted in a recent Washington Post commentary , student protesters have long risked disciplinary action or worse to force the nation to have difficult conversations about the future they stand to inherit.

"Young people often have a greater sense of the possibilities for change than their elders do and less concern about the short-term consequences of seeking long-term reforms," she writes.

WATCH: PBS Student Reporting Labs on youth reactions to the shooting

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Too Young to Vote, Old Enough to Act: A Brief History of Major Youth-Led Movements | KQED

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There's nothing new about youth-led movements in America.

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On Murder, Media, and Being a Trans Woman in 2015

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LGBTW friendly

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Want to learn more terminology? Take a deep dive into some here!

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Sexuality has to do with the way you identify, how you experience sexual and romantic attraction (if you do), and your interest in and preferences around sexual and romantic relationships and behavior.

Who your sexual or romantic partner is at a given moment in time doesn't necessarily define this part of who you are. Sexuality can be fluid - changing in different situations for some, and over the years for others.

Observing patterns in sexual and romantic attraction, behavior, and preferences over time is one way to better understand your sexual identity or romantic orientation.

Familiarizing yourself with language that describes different types of sexual and romantic feelings and orientations will help you, your partners, and your friends navigate and understand the many ways people experience and identify their sexuality.

Allosexual

A word and category describing those who experience sexual attraction. Use of this term helps to normalize the experience of being asexual and provides a more specific label to describe those who aren't part of the asexual community.

Allosexism

This refers to norms, stereotypes, and practices in society that operate under the assumption that all human beings experience, or should experience, sexual attraction.

Allosexism grants privilege to those who experience attraction and leads to prejudice against and erasure of asexual people.

Androsexual

A term used to communicate sexual or romantic attraction to men, males, or masculinity. This term intentionally includes attraction to those who identify as men, male, or masculine, regardless of biology, anatomy, or sex assigned at birth.

Asexual

Asexual identity or orientation includes individuals who don't experience sexual attraction to others of any gender.

Also referred to as "aces," some people who are asexual do experience romantic attraction to people of one or multiple genders.

Aromantic

A romantic orientation the describes people who experience little or no romantic attraction, regardless of sex or gender.

Autosexual

A person who's sexually attracted to themselves. Someone's desire to engage in sexual behavior such as masturbation doesn't determine whether they're autosexual.

Autoromatic

A romantic orientation that describes a person who's romantically attracted to themselves. Those who identify as autoromatic often report experiencing the relationship they have with themselves as romantic.

Bicurious

This refers to people who are questioning or exploring bisexuality, which typically includes curiosity about one's romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same or different genders.

Bisexual

A sexual orientation that describes those who experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attractions to people of more than one gender.

Also referred to as "bi," bisexual typically includes individuals who are attracted to a variety of people, with genders that are similar to and different than their own.

Biromantic

Those who experience romantic attraction, but not sexual attraction, to individuals of more than one gender.

Closeted

Closeted, also referred to as "in the closet," describes people in the LGBTQIA+ community who don't publicly or openly share their sexual identity, sexual attraction, sexual behavior, gender expression, or gender identity.

Closeted is often understood as the opposite of "out," and refers to the metaphorical hidden or private place a LBGTQIA+ person comes from in the process of making decisions about disclosing gender and sexuality.

Some individuals may be out in certain communities but closeted in others, due to fear of discrimination, mistreatment, rejection, or violence.

Coming out

A phrase that refers to the process of being open about one's sexuality and gender. For many LGBTQIA+ people, "coming out" isn't a one-time event, but a process and series of moments and conversations.

Also described as coming out of the closet, this process can include:

sharing about a same-gender or similar gender sexual or romantic attraction or experience

identifying as LGBTQIA+

disclosing one's specific gender identity, gender expression, or sexual or romantic orientation

Some LGBTQIA+ people decide to keep their sexuality, gender, or intersex status private, while others decide to share these things with loved ones, acquaintances, or the public.

The process of coming out or the state of being out is a source of self-acceptance and pride for many (but not all) LGBTQIA+ individuals.

However, it's important to remember that each person's coming out experience is different, and the act of coming out can be hard and emotional.

The decision to come out is deeply personal. Each person should make decisions about disclosing sexuality and gender in their own time and manner.

Cupiosexual

Cupiosexual describes asexual people who don't experience sexual attraction but still have the desire to engage in sexual behavior or a sexual relationship.

Demisexual

On the asexual spectrum, this sexual orientation describes individuals who experience sexual attraction only under specific circumstances, such as after building a romantic or emotional relationship with a person.

Demiromantic

This romantic orientation describes individuals who experience romantic attraction only under specific circumstances, such as after building an emotional relationship with a person.

Fluid

This terms refers to the fact that sexuality, sexual attraction, and sexual behavior can change over time and be dependent on the situation.

It's used to describe those who experience shifts in their sexuality, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior in different situations or throughout the course of their lifetime. You may hear someone describe their sexuality as "fluid."

Gay

A term that describes individuals who experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to people of the same or a similar gender.

Some gay-identified women prefer the term lesbian, while others prefer queer or gay. It's also best to ask which word or term someone uses to describe themselves.

The fields of medicine and psychology previously referred to this sexual orientation as homosexual. Homosexual is now viewed as an outdated and offensive term and shouldn't be used to refer to LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Graysexual

Graysexual is a term used to acknowledge the gray area on the sexuality spectrum for people who don't explicitly and exclusively identify as asexual or aromantic.

Many people who identify as graysexual do experience some sexual attraction or desire, but perhaps not at the same level or frequency as those who identify their sexuality as being completely outside of the asexual spectrum.

Grayromantic

A romantic orientation that describes individuals whose romantic attraction exists in the gray area between romantic and aromantic.

Many people who identify as grayromantic do experience some romantic attraction, but perhaps not at the same level or frequency as those who identify their sexuality or romantic orientation as something other than asexual.

Gynesexual

A term used to communicate sexual or romantic attraction to women, females, or femininity.

This term intentionally includes attraction to those who identify as women, female, or feminine, regardless of biology, anatomy, or the sex assigned at birth.

Heterosexual

A term that describes people who experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to people of the "opposite" gender (e.g. male vs. female, man vs. woman) or a different gender.

Both cisgender and transgender identified people can be heterosexual. This sexual orientation category is commonly described as straight.

Homosexual

An outdated term rooted in the fields of medicine and psychology that refers to individuals who experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to people of the same or a similar gender.

Lesbian

A woman or female-identified person who experiences sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to people of the same or a similar gender.

Some women who are lesbians may also refer to themselves as gay or queer, while others prefer the label lesbian.

LGBTQIA+

The acronym that often describes individuals who don't identify as exclusively heterosexual or exclusively cisgender.

The letters in the LGBTQIA+ acronym stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual.

The + symbol in LGBTQIA+ refers to the fact that there are many sexual orientations and gender identities that are part of the broader LGBTQIA community, but aren't included as part of the acronym.

Libidoist asexual

A term used to describe an asexual person who experiences sexual feelings that are satisfied through self-stimulation or masturbation.

This label acknowledges that, for some people, acting on libido or sexual feelings doesn't necessarily involve sexual behavior with others.

Monosexual

A broad sexual orientation category that includes people who experience romantic or sexual attraction to people of one sex or gender. Monosexuality typically includes those who are exclusively heterosexual, gay, or lesbian.

Non-libidoist asexual

Referring to an identity on the asexuality spectrum, a non-libidoist asexual is someone who doesn't experience any sexual feelings or have an active sex drive.

Omnisexual

Omnisexual is similar to pansexual and can be used to describe individuals whose sexuality isn't limited to people of a particular gender, sex, or sexual orientation.

Pansexual

A term that describes individuals who can experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to any person, regardless of that person's gender, sex, or sexuality.

Panromantic

A term that describes individuals who can experience romantic, or emotional (but not sexual) attraction to any person, regardless of that person's gender, sex, or sexuality.

Polysexual

A term that describes individuals with a sexual orientation that involves sexual or romantic attraction to people with varying genders. Polysexual orientations include bisexuality, pansexuality, omnisexuality, and queer, among many others.

Pomosexual

A term (not necessarily an identity) used to refer to those who reject sexuality labels or don't identify with any of them.

Passing

Passing refers to society's perceptions and assumptions of someone's sexuality or gender.

Specifically, this term is most commonly used to discuss the frequency and extent to which an LGBTQIA+ person is perceived as or assumed to be straight or cisgender.

It's important to note that some LGBTQIA+ people have the desire to pass while others do not. In fact, the act of being perceived as straight or cisgender can be a source of discomfort and discrimination for some in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Queer

An umbrella term that describes individuals who aren't exclusively heterosexual. The term queer (the Q in LBGTQIA+), acknowledges that sexuality is a spectrum as opposed to a collection of independent and mutually exclusive categories.

Use of the word queer opens up options beyond lesbian, gay, and bisexual to individuals who don't fit neatly into these categories or prefer a category that isn't dependent on sex and gender.

While this term once had negative and derogatory connotations, queer has resurfaced as a common and socially acceptable way for LGBTQIA+ individuals to refer to themselves and their community.

Despite its growing use, some people still have negative associations with the word queer and don't like to be referred to in this way. Queer, like all terms describing sexuality, should be used sensitively and respectfully.

Questioning

The process of being curious about or exploring some aspect of sexuality or gender. Questioning can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who's currently exploring their sexuality or gender.

Romantic attraction

The experience of having an emotional response that results in the desire for a romantic, but not necessarily sexual, relationship or interaction with another person or oneself.

Some people experience romantic attraction but don't experience sexual attraction.

Romantic orientation

Romantic orientation is an aspect of self and identity that involves:

how you identify

the way you experience romantic desire (if you do)

the gender(s) or sex(es) of the people who someone engages in romantic relationships with (if any)

the gender(s) or sex(es) of the people someone is romantically attracted to (if any)

Sapiosexual

A word used to describe those who experience attraction based on intelligence, rather than sex or gender.

Sexual attraction

Sexual attraction refers to experiencing sexual desire or arousal in relation to another person or group of people.

Sex-averse

Sex-averse describes those who are asexual and are averse to or extremely disinterested in sex or sexual behavior.

Sex-favorable

On the spectrum of asexuality, sex-favorable is viewed as the "opposite" of sex-repulsed and describes those who are asexual, and in certain situations can have favorable or positive feelings toward sex.

Sex-indifferent

Sex-indifferent describes those who are asexual and feel indifferent or neutral about sex or sexual behavior.

Sexual orientation or sexuality

Sexual orientation or sexuality is an aspect of self that involves:

how you identify

the way you experience sexual or romantic desire (if you do)

the gender(s) or sex(es) of the people who someone engages in sexual or romantic activity with (if any)

the gender(s) or sex(es) of the people someone is attracted to (if any)

Sexuality can change over the course of someone's life and in different situations. It's understood to be a spectrum instead of a series of mutually exclusive categories.

Sex-repulsed

Similar to sex-averse, sex-repulsed is on the spectrum of asexuality and describes those who are asexual and are repulsed by or extremely disinterested in sex or sexual behavior.

Skoliosexual

A sexual orientation that describes those who are sexually attracted to people with non-cisgender gender identities, such as people who are nonbinary, genderqueer, or trans.

Spectrasexual

A term that describes people who are sexually or romantically attracted to multiple or varied sexes, genders, and gender identities - but not necessarily all or any.

Straight

Also known as heterosexual, straight describes people who experience sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to individuals of the "opposite" gender (e.g. male vs. female, man vs. woman) or a different gender.

People who identify as cisgender and transgender can be straight.

It's okay to feel unsure or overwhelmed by all of the labels we now have to describe sexual and romantic orientation, attraction, and behavior.

Expanding the language you use to describe your sexuality can provide important guidance, validation, and access to community while on your journey of sexual self-discovery and satisfaction.
Mere Abrams is a researcher, writer, educator, consultant, and licensed clinical social worker who reaches a worldwide audience through public speaking, publications, social media (), and gender therapy and support services practice onlinegendercare.com. Mere uses their personal experience and diverse professional background to support individuals exploring gender and help institutions, organizations, and businesses to increase gender literacy and identify opportunities to demonstrate gender inclusion in products, services, programs, projects, and content.

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46 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior & Orientation

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Sexuality has to do with the way you identify, how you experience sexual and romantic attraction (if you do), and your interest in and preferences around sexual and romantic relationships and behavior. Who your sexual or romantic partner is at a given moment in time doesn't necessarily define this part of who you are.

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Creating Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth:A Toolkit

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Creating Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth:A Toolkit

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Coming out can be scary, here is a space to share your coming out story. 

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Coming out can be scary, here is a space to share your coming out story. 

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Check out a handbook for LGBTQ Young people by the Trevor Project.

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'Ask Me': What LGBTQ Students Want Their Professors to Know

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'Ask Me': What LGBTQ Students Want Their Professors to Know

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What do you want your teachers, peers, mentors to know?

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'Ask Me': What LGBTQ Students Want Their Professors to Know

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Share how this video makes you feel

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The mission of the Ali Forney Center is to protect homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to be independent. If you are seeking assistance, please contact us at: 212.206.0574 or

stop by our Harlem Drop-in Center:* 321 W. 125th Street New York, NY 10027

(take the A/C/B/D train to 125th Street)

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The Ali Forney Center was founded in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney, a gender-nonconforming youth who was forced to live on the streets where they were tragically murdered. Our mission is to protect LGBTQ+ young people from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live inde…

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LGBTQIA+ Mental Health is Important! See Below for resources. 

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LGBTQIA+ Mental Health is Important! See Below for resources. 

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LGBTQIA+ Mental Health is Important!

Unfortunately, LGBTQIA+ individuals often face discrimination making it difficult to access quality treatment for mood disorders. Many people learn that not all mental health providers understand their experiences. These negative interactions with providers can mean our loved ones are less likely to seek help when they need it most.

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What can you do? Get familiar with these reputable mental health resources created for LGBTQIA+ people and share them with your loved ones.

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National Crisis Resources

Crisis Text Line connects texters with trained volunteer Crisis Counselors to help resolve times of crisis. This service tries to match texters with Crisis Counselors who have shared lived experience. Learn more: www.crisistextline.org

The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people under 25. Learn more: www.thetrevorproject.org

Trans Lifeline is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the well being of transgender people. The hotline is staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Learn more: www.translifeline.org

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The Human Rights Campaign provides the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool, which evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors, and employees.

GLMA works to ensure equality in healthcare for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and healthcare providers. They offer a directory for patients to connect with LGBT welcoming providers. Learn more: www.glma.org

The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Their website offers education, stories, and directory of local resources to help get the support your loved one needs. Learn more: www.itgetsbetter.org

This list is not exhaustive! If you know of another mental health resource for LGBTQIA+ people please share it with us. Email info@sewi.org , using the subject line 'LGBTQ resource' and send us all relevant information.

Last revised: June 2019

JOIN A COMMUNITY THAT CARES

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LGBTQIA+ Mental Health is Important! Unfortunately, LGBTQIA+ individuals often face discrimination making it difficult to access quality treatment for mood disorders. Many people learn that not all mental health providers understand their experiences. These negative interactions with providers can mean our loved ones are less likely to seek help when they need it most.

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Encircle is a non-profit organization with the mission to bring the family and community together to enable our LGBTQ+ youth to thrive.

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Encircle is a non-profit organization with the mission to bring the family and community together to enable our LGBTQ+ youth to thrive.

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Encircle | An LGBTQ+ Youth & Family Resource

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What We Offer - Encircle | An LGBTQ+ Youth & Family Resource

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Encircle is a non-profit organization with the mission to bring the family and community together to enable our LGBTQ+ youth to thrive.

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Hetrick-Martin Institute provides free year-round programs and services for LGTBQIA+ youth and allies ages 13-24 at 2 Astor Place in New York City. We also help organize and produce youth events throughout New York City.

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For Youth (Ages 13-24)

Hetrick-Martin Institute provides free year-round programs and services for LGTBQIA+ youth and allies ages 13-24 at 2 Astor Place in New York City. We also help organize and produce youth events throughout New York City. Both regular programs and special events are listed in our Youth Calendar, which is updated weekly.

HMI partners with the Harvey Milk High School, a NYC DOE school, to provide HMHS students with in-school college counseling and access to all HMI programs and services.

Programs:

Arts and Culture

Health and Wellness

Academic Enrichment

Job Readiness

Services:

Counseling and Case Management

Onsite Pantry

Café HMI

Outreach Homeless Services

Referrals to External Services

Special Events:

LGBTQIA+ Youth Summits (in each NYC borough)

Youth Pridefest

KiKi Coalition Events

Pride Prom

Saturday Night Lights Tournaments & Events

For a complete listing visit our youth programs page.

For Families

Hetrick-Martin Institute provides on-site family counseling sessions for HMI members and their families by appointment at our NYC location. In addition to counseling sessions, HMI staff can also answer questions, offer advice, and suggest further resources to parents and family members of LGBTQIA+ youth. Every year, HMI hosts a family retreat where several of our youth members and their families get together for group activities and programs.

For more information on services for families contact Alayne Rosales, Senior Director, Youth Services.

For Organizations and Groups

With our advocacy work, we take our knowledge and expertise in youth service work to the greater community. The Center for LGBTQIA+ Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building of the Hetrick Martin Institute advocates on behalf of LGBTQIA+ youth by influencing policy on local, national and international levels, while helping to build the capacity of decision-makers, individuals, and institutions that serve LGBTQIA+ youth. We are dedicated to sharing best practices for working with LGBTQIA+ youth of color in all aspects of their life and to increase the capacity of youth-serving organizations to meet the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ youth nationally and globally.

We provide workshops, training, and evaluations for community-based organizations (CBOs), governmental agencies, companies, and other groups. Our facilitators deliver one-time or series-based sessions at your location or place of business.

Workshops and Training Sessions Include:

Any Which Way You Go: Exploring Our Relationships to Human Sexuality and Gender Identity

Creating Safer and Inclusive Environments

Sustaining Ourselves in Our Work

Customized training sessions, designed to meet your group's needs

Learn more on our Workshops & Training page.

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For Youth (Ages 13-24) Hetrick-Martin Institute provides free year-round programs and services for LGTBQIA+ youth and allies ages 13-24 at 2 Astor Place in New York City. We also help organize and produce youth events throughout New York City. Both regular programs and special events are listed in our Youth Calendar, which is updated weekly.

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Explore the latest articles, resources, and guides.

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Guides, articles, and resources for LGBTQ young people, parents, and allies.

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Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay.

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Callen-Lorde is the global leader in LGBTQ health care. Since the days of Stonewall, we have been transforming lives in LGBTQ communities through excellent comprehensive care, provided free of judgment and regardless of ability to pay. In addition, we are continuously pioneering research, advocacy and education to drive positive change around the world, because we believe healthcare is a human right.

Our Mission

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities - in all their diversity - regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ health issues.

Our History

Callen-Lorde's grassroots heritage dates back 50 years to the St. Marks Clinic and the Gay Men's Health Project - two volunteer-based clinics that provided safe and confidential sexual health and primary care regardless of ability to pay. These clinics merged in 1983 to form Community Health Project, a mostly volunteer-staffed, episodic care program housing the nation's first community-based HIV clinic.

Michael Callen

(1955 - 1993)
Michael Callen was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, and began his career as a successful composer and singer. In 1982 he was diagnosed with AIDS (then known as Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) and quickly became a leader in the response to the growing epidemic. In 1985 he became a founding member of the People with AIDS Coalition, the first organization to spring from the AIDS self-empowerment movement. As a leading authority in the community, Michael was called to testify before the President's Commission on AIDS and both houses of Congress. In 1990 Michael chronicled the stories of long-term survivors in his book Surviving AIDS. With Peter Allen and Marsha Malamet, he co-wrote the song "Love Don't Need a Reason" and was a founding member of the a cappella group The Flirtations. Michael continued his work in the community and in music until his death at age 38. He is survived by his partner, Richard Dworkin.

Audre Lorde

(1934 - 1992)
The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Audre Lorde was born in New York City and wrote her first poem at age twelve. In the 1950s while at Hunter College, Audre worked as a librarian and educator and became a leader in the early lesbian activist community in Greenwich Village. Her poetry was published regularly throughout the 1960s and 70s and gained wide recognition with the publication of her book The Cancer Journals in 1980, which chronicled her experience with breast cancer. In this groundbreaking work, she examined her own fears, anger and ultimately, her strength and hope. Her published writings include nine volumes of poetry and five books of prose. Audre was named New York State's Poet Laureate in 1991 by Governor Mario Cuomo, a post she retained until her death at age 58 after a 14-year struggle with breast cancer. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth and Jonathan, and her partner, Dr. Gloria Joseph.

2020 - 2021 Annual Report

Financial Documents

Click here to view Callen-Lorde's most recent IRS Form 990.

Click here to view Callen-Lorde Support, Inc.'s most recent IRS Form 990.

Click here to view Callen-Lorde's financial conflicts of interest policy.

Strategic Plan

Click here to view Callen-Lorde's most recent Strategic Plan.

Privacy Policy

Click here to read our internet privacy policy.

Callen-Lorde is covered by HRSA's FTCA malpractice insurance.

Compliance

Click here to view our corporate compliance policy.

Click here to view our vendors letter.

Callen-Lorde is an FTCA deemed facility.

This health center receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals. For more information, please see http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov/ftca/.

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Callen-Lorde is the global leader in LGBTQ health care. Since the days of Stonewall, we have been transforming lives in LGBTQ communities through excellent comprehensive care, provided free of judgment and regardless of ability to pay. In addition, we are continuously pioneering research, advocacy and education to drive positive change around the world, because we [...]

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Tips and Strategies for Assessing Youth Programs and Agencies

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Tips and Strategies for Assessing Youth Programs and Agencies

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To ensure a safe environment for GLBTQ youth, the first step is to assess the internal climate of your organization.  Assessment will show whether the organization offers a safe space for all participants and especially for GLBTQ youth.

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Tips and Strategies for Assessing Youth Programs and Agencies ∗