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Safe Schools Coalition - An International Public-Private Partnership in Support of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth.

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GLAAD | GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance.

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Political Equality Federation Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National LGBTQ Task Force Victory Fund Bisexual BIENESTAR BiNetUSA Bisexual.org Bisexual Resource Center Youth Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) GSA Network LGBTQ Student Resources & Support Point Foundation Safe Schools Coalition The Trevor Project Military The American Military Partner Association (AMDA) American Veterans for Equal Rights

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If you're a LGBTQ teen or ally, there are lots of resources to help you get the support and info you need.

Where can I get more information about LGBTQ issues?

There are lots of places online where you can find info about LGBTQ issues and to get connected with communities. Here are a few ideas of where to start:
Advocates for Youth
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)
HealthyChildren.gov Human Rights Campaign
Imi (Guides to help you explore your identity and support your mental health)
KidsHealth.org The Trevor Project
Q Chat Space (Live chat, facilitated, LGBTQ+ online discussion groups)

If there's a LGBTQ center in your area, that can also be a great place to meet people and find a community. Check out CenterLink to see if there's an LGBTQ center near you. Reaching out to the older LGBTQ folks in your community can also be really helpful if you're looking for information and resources, or just want to connect.

Where can I get help if I'm struggling with issues around my sexual orientation or gender identity?

As you're learning more about your gender identity and sexual orientation, it's normal to feel lost sometimes. And it can be easy to feel alone or scared when you're having these feelings. Reaching out to people who care about you and understand what you're going through can really help. If you're struggling, reach out! You're not alone. Here are some people who might be able to help you:

Parents, guardians, or other trusted adult family members

Close friends and their parents

Other LGBTQ young people, in your community or online

Your doctor

Your school's Gay Straight Alliance

A supportive teacher, school counselor, or coach

A minister, rabbi, priest, or spiritual mentor who you know is LGBTQ friendly

A local LGBTQ youth support group

Live chat, facilitated, LGBTQ+ online discussion groups at Q Chat Space

GLBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-PRIDE

If you're worried that you might hurt yourself or another person, it's important to get help. You can contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 if you need to talk to someone right away for help or support. There's also Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) - a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people.

How can I help support my LGBTQ friends?

Being an ally is about supporting equal rights and justice for LGBTQ folks, and it's also about helping your friends know that you have their back and they aren't alone.

Here are some ideas for being the best ally you can be.

Educate yourself. Learning about the experiences and history of LGBTQ people is an important way to understand the issues that are affecting your friends. It's not the responsibility of LGBTQ people to educate you, so step up to the plate and explore the books, blogs, and videos, out there. Tumblr and YouTube are places where many LGBTQ people are sharing their stories and experiences.

Listen! As a person who's trying to ally yourself with your LGTBQ friends, one of the most important things you can do is listen to as many people in the community as possible. There are many, many different LGBTQ experiences and stories, and listening to a diverse group of voices is one way to understand the issues that affect the people you care about.

Don't Assume. It's impossible to know what a person's gender identity or sexual orientation is just by looking at them, so don't make assumptions. But do assume there could be LGBTQ people in every space you're in. Assuming that everyone around you is straight makes things harder for LGBTQ people.

Speak up. If you notice bullying or oppressive language, say something. Anti-LGBTQ comments and jokes are hurtful. Call out your friends, family, or co-workers and let them know that you find them offensive. If you see a young person being hurt or bullied because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, let an adult know. And speak up when you see anti-LGBTQ comments online, or jokes where LGBTQ people are the punchlines.

Never "out" someone. It's important to let people come out in their own way, and on their own terms. Telling people that a friend is LGBTQ without their permission can break trust and even put them in danger. Depending on their personal situation, they may be at risk for homophobic bullying and violence if people find out they're gay or trans. It is never okay to out someone without their permission.

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Info and Resources For LBGTQ Teens and Allies

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Info and resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer teens and allies | LGBTQ Resources for teens and allies

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Experts estimate that more than 10 million people have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) parents. Some children grow up aware of their parent's orientation, others learn about it when they are older and may have to resolve this fact with feelings of homophobia.

Today, COLAGE is the only national organization in the world specifically supporting children, youth and adults with LGBT parents. Through local chapters and online resources, COLAGE offers a diverse array of support, education and advocacy by and for people with LGBT parents.

Gay or straight, there are all kinds of families in the world.

For teens and adults, additional support and information can be found at the online resource Families Like Mine. Queerspawn Diaries

In The Heights, WarnerMedia

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Experts estimate that more than 10 million people have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) parents. Some children grow up aware of their parent's orientation, others learn about it when they are older and may have to resolve this fact with feelings of homophobia.Today, COLAGE is the only national organization in the world specifically supporting children, youth and adults with LGBT parents.

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Even if you face rejections, know that you're never alone.

Parents, family and friends can have a big impact, especially in the lives of LGBTQ youth. Sometimes, these people are the ones who help us get the support we need - other times, it's us who connect them with life-affirming resources.

For some LGBTQ young people, family and friends aren't a part of their support system at all because of things like rejection, discrimination, or a lack of understanding. That can be really difficult, but we want you to know that you aren't alone. No matter how your friends and family affect your life, or how you make a difference in theirs, The Trevor Project is always here to support you. You are a worthwhile person and deserve to be treated with respect and love!

FAQ

1. My friend told me that he felt like killing himself. I told him not to, but I don't know what else to do. Please help!

2. My parent's won't let me see my boyfriend, who I love very much. They say I'm not gay, and that I'm just confused. It's so frustrating! I am openly gay at school and have really supportive friends, but how do I help my parents understand?

3. I think my younger sister may be transgender. I was wondering, are there things I can do to support her?

4. I came out to my dad about 2 years ago, and he's been terrible ever since. What can I do to heal an already tattered relationship?

Question:
1. My friend told me that he felt like killing himself. I told him not to, but I don't know what else to do. Please help!
Answer:
We're glad you reached out for help! That is a brave and important thing to do. Your friend is lucky to have someone who cares so much about his future.

Suicide is a very serious issue. Let your friend know that he is not alone, and that his life is worth fighting for. If he's between the ages of 13 and 24, please encourage him to reach out to The Trevor Project's 24/7 Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. You two can even call together. Our counselors are always standing-by to listen and talk through any problems he may be having. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available any time at 1-800-273-8255.

If there is ever a time when you feel like your friend is going to act on his feelings, call 911 immediately or get him to a hospital. Even if he's upset, he will be grateful that you helped save his life in the long-run.

You can also read through the warning signs of suicide on Trevor's website. If you recognize any of these in someone you know, like your friend, there are steps you can take to help. Connect the person to resources, like The Trevor Project. Accept that their feelings are real, and take them seriously. Respond if you're concerned and tell a trusted adult right away, whether it's a teacher, parent, counselor, doctor, or relative. Lastly, empower the person to get help, like by calling the Trevor Lifeline. It is not an easy thing to do, but it may be life-saving. Remember, you are not responsible for anyone who chooses to take their own life.
Question:
2. My parent's won't let me see my boyfriend, who I love very much. They say I'm not gay, and that I'm just confused. It's so frustrating! I am openly gay at school and have really supportive friends, but how do I help my parents understand?
Answer:
First, we're so happy to hear that you are out and proud at school. It sounds like you have some solid support from your friends and from your boyfriend. That's great! It's also brave that you've come out to your parents - we know that isn't always easy.

The situation with your parents is a tough one, but we hope you know that you are not alone. Every parent takes a different amount of time to understand and accept their LGBTQ child. Some may take longer than others, and in certain worst-case scenarios a parent may choose not to become accepting. Have you heard about PFLAG? It stands for Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and it's an awesome organization that helps families grow to support their LGBTQ child. Since you've told your parents that you're gay, maybe you can try to share some PFLAG resources with them. It might help them feel less alone, too. Here are some PFLAG tools that we recommend:

We know this is hard. Keep being proud of who you are, and continue to spend with your supportive friends and boyfriend. The people in our lives who accept us for who we are can really help us get through tough times like these.
Question:
3. I think my younger sister may be transgender. I was wondering, are there things I can do to support her?
Answer:
Your sister is lucky to have such an observant and caring person like you in her life. Please know that your support will help her so much, however she decides to identify when she is ready.

Keep in mind that your sister may not be sure about her identity yet, and there is no rush for her to figure it out. The best thing to do right now would be to show her you're there for her no matter what, and educate yourself about gender identity and what it means to be transgender.

For instance, starting a conversation with her about well-known transgender people, or transgender characters on TV or in movies, might give your sister a chance to talk about how she feels. Having discussions about gender identity can demonstrate your openness and support and help pave the way if or when she is ready to come out. Also, just offering a nonjudgmental ear for listening can go a long way.

You can also learn more about gender identity and transgender identities through online resources like The Gender Spectrum and The Gender Book. How awesome would it be if you could be there for her if she ever has a question, or when she isn't sure who will understand what she's going through? As your sister explores her own identity, your love and support will make a world of difference.
Question:
4. I came out to my dad about 2 years ago, and he's been terrible ever since. He says things like: "I love my son but not the f** inside him." Thankfully I live with my mom now, who is super supportive, but I can't forgive him for the way he has treated me. People tell me that I need to have a relationship with him because he is my father, but I just can't. What can I do to heal an already tattered relationship?
Answer:
It's a wonderful thing when our parents treat us with love, support and respect; but it can be terrible when they act in ways that are cruel and disrespectful. Despite what people have said, you don't need to have a relationship with your father if you don't want one. No one can force you to change your mind.

You're the only person who can set boundaries for the relationship you want with your father. It's hard to do, especially with our parents, because we're not used to saying, "I want us to communicate in this way," or "I'm not going to stand for that kind of language."

It's important to know that your dad's hurtful words and actions reflect his issues, not yours. You may not be able to change his behavior - what he chooses to say or do is up to him. However, you can control whether or not you want to involve him in your life.

Have you talked to him about wanting to heal your relationship? If you're leaning toward having no contact with him until he can be more supportive and less homophobic, you might want to let him know. Talking over the phone, with email, or through a letter are all good ways to share your thoughts in a safe way. Be clear about what he is doing that is causing you pain, what you want to see change, and what you're going to do until he changes. Consider giving him a date when you'll contact him again to hear his thoughts. Then, it's up to him to decide whether or not he's going to change how he's been acting.

Do you think you might want a relationship with him, even if he's being homophobic? Maybe you'll decide to give him a chance, while setting up some protections for yourself in case things get difficult - one of these protections might be setting limits for how long you're willing to be around him, or explaining that you'll leave the room if he starts to get verbally abusive. As always, it's up to you to determine how you want to handle your relationship with your dad.

After you've thought about it, you may decide to just keep away from him until something changes. That's ok too. The most important thing is to make a decision that keeps you as safe and supported as possible. Are you able to talk to your mom or another trusted adult about your concerns about your dad? Teachers, co-workers, or counselors are also good people to reach out to. Going through this stuff is hard, and everyone needs someone that can stand by their side. You can also always call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386 to speak with a trained counselor, or go on www.TrevorChat.org (instant messaging online) or www.TrevorSpace.org (our safe, secure social network site). You are not alone!

Resources

Through The Trevor Support Center you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project does not review or ensure the accuracy of the content on other sites.

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Even if you face rejections, know that you're never alone. Parents, family and friends can have a big impact, especially in the lives of LGBTQ youth. Sometimes, these people are the ones who help us get the support we need - other times, it's us who connect them with life-affirming resources.

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All youth require a safe home and social supports to mature and develop the skills needed to transition to adulthood. Among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other diverse identities (LGBTQ+) youth, having affirming families and friends is associated with improved mental health and better child welfare outcomes. Find resources in this section intended to help families support their LGBTQ+ youth, understand what to expect, and learn how to talk about issues that may be impacting their youth.

Tips for Parents of LGBTQ Youth
Sanders & Lamont Fields
Johns Hopkins Medical
Explains clear directions for parents seeking to support their LGBTQ+ youth, including learning information about various sexual identities, engaging youth in conversation, and staying involved with school.

Tips for Raising an LGBTQ+ Foster or Adopted Child
Creating a Family (2019)
Provides concise tips to raising a child who identifies as LGBTQ+.

Resources for families of transgender youth

Gender-Diverse and Transgender Children
Rafferty
Healthychildren.org
Defines terms and provides recommendations for parenting gender-diverse children and youth, including how to respond to identity disclosures and recognizing signs of mental health challenges.

Gender Health Services: Resources for Parents and Families
University of Rochester, University Counseling Center
Provides websites and books designed to help parents become advocates for their transgender children and youth.

Our Trans Loved Ones
Highlights a resource that shares information, first-person stories, and advice for individuals who have a loved one who identifies as transgender or gender expansive.

TransFamilies
Helps connect the parents of transgender youth to support groups and information to build their capacity to care for their children.

Transgender Law Center
Offers a list of resources and publications that can be useful to youth who identify as transgender or gender nonconforming and legal questions they may have.

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Find resources in this section intended to help families support their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and two-spirt plus (LGBTQIA2S+) youth; understand what to expect; and learn how to talk about a number of issues that may be impacting their youth.

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For the past month, parades, marches, festivals, workshops, picnics, and parties have taken place around the world to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, which honors the Stonewall riots which took place in 1969 in New York City. PFLAGers...

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Family support and acceptance is critical to the health and wellbeing of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer...and PFLAG has been at the forefront of this work for over four decades. Find out more about how we have been supporting thousands of families across the country and around the world, and the ways in which we can provide that support to your family.

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LGBTQ Support Groups - 2-1-1 Orange County

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Resources | Orange County | Orange County Equality Coalition

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Tools and Resources to help build a stronger community.

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LGBTQ Center OC's mission is to empower LGBTQ Orange County through a variety of programs and events