QUICK NOTE: This resource page was recently removed from the State of Texas website by Gov. Gregg Abbott. If they won’t leave up the resource information, we sure will!
New resources will be added as we are made aware of them. Have a resource that you would like to submit for consideration? Send us a contact message.
There are many terms and denitions relating to gender identity, expression, and orientation. The educational and support resources on this page are dedicated to helping empower and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, ally, and non-heterosexual (LGBTQIA+) youth, their peers, and family. Some youth and young adults who are uncertain or identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to have negative experiences or outcomes than their heterosexual peers. Having support and resources is critical in addressing the needs of youth and young adults.
Want to talk to someone about sexual orientation or gender identity?
Call the LGBTQIA+ National Youth Talk Line at 1-800-246-7743. This hotline is free and condential. You can discuss gender or sexuality identity, relationship concerns, bullying, isolation, anxiety at school, family issues, HIV and AIDS concerns, safer sex information, coming out, and more. Whether you just want to talk or are in crisis, the the national Trans Lifeline Hotline is another resource available at 1-877-565-8860. The hotline oers full anonymity and operators for both English or Spanish speakers.
Want information about community meetings?
PFLAG, originally called “Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays” supports the whole LGBTQIA+ community, including family and friends of LGBTQIA+ people. There are a number of PFLAG chapters in Texas that hold meetings, where you can attend in-person meetings.
If you are in crisis, call the LGBTQIA+ TrevorLifeline for youth.
If you are in crisis or feeling suicidal and need of a safe place to talk about LGBTQIA+ concerns, you can call, text, or chat 24/7 with someone at the Trevor Project.
If you think you are being treated unfairly, learn your rights and get help.
If you think you are being treated unfairly because of what others think of your gender identity or sexual orientation – such as when applying for a job, school, or apartment – you may want to reach out for legal help. For concerns like these, learn about your rights and consider calling the Lambda Legal help desk.
For health services, check out the learn about your rights and health resources page (don’t bother clicking here as the State of Texas has taken it down!). You can also reach out to Star Health, who provides health services to Texas youth in foster care.
A free web resource that provides health information guides and research on various medical conditions and unsafe drugs.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community have unique and complex health needs that heterosexuals don’t face. Health disparities and barriers to care can make staying healthy challenging, but knowing LGBTQ+ health risks can ensure you stay on top of your health. Local and national resources can help you prevent or treat these health conditions with the right medical testing, care and support.
https://www.drugwatch.com/health/lgbtq/
Gender identity is a personal concept that describes one’s internal experience of gender. This is influenced by the individual’s external experience of gender or how the rest of the world treats them based on the gender they were assigned at birth.
Gender dysphoria is the experience of being assigned a different gender at birth than the gender one actually is internally. People on the autism spectrum seem to experience more gender dysphoria than neurotypical individuals.
Scientific research on this is just beginning, but small-scale studies suggest that social and communication differences between autistic brains and neurotypical brains can increase the experience of gender dysphoria in people with autism, leading to greater differences in gender self-expression.
The internet is a wonderful but sometimes scary place to be. Many of us are at greater risk online than we truly realize.
Scammers, fraudsters, and hackers prowl the internet looking for easy targets. And they’re clever. Whether it’s through click-bait emails, fake dating profiles, or a too-good-to-be-true giveaway, there are plenty of ways scammers can find you.
Scams are dangerous and can lead to severe consequences, such as identity or monetary theft and blackmailing. All of us are at risk, but some groups are more likely to be targeted than others – especially the LGBTQ+ community.
vpnMentor.com conducted a survey in which we asked 695 LGBTQ+ people worldwide about their experiences online as they relate to their sexual orientation and gender identity. The results – referenced throughout this article – illuminated the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Here are some of our key findings:+
Even with a number of social advancements for rights, gay and transgender people face overwhelming levels of stigma, stress, and discrimination for their sexual and/or gender identity. Finding a gender-affirming treatment facility, or even a traditional treatment facility that has adequate cultural competency, can be pivotal in helping an LGBTQ+ person get the help they need for their recovery.
LGBTQ+ People & Substance Abuse
In 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely to use illicit drugs than straight people. Gay and transgender people (or people who are otherwise in a sexual or gender minority) are more likely to smoke and binge drink alcohol. In the same year as the SAMHSA report, 39.1 percent of LGBTQ+ people reported using illegal drugs.
Read more here from BOCA Recovery Center…
LGBTQ students have a significant presence on college campuses. In 2018, an Association of American Universities survey of over 180,000 university students found that 16.9% of students identify as non-heterosexual. While many colleges try to make their campuses welcoming to LGBTQ students, their success rate varies. If you’re a prospective college student who identifies as LGBTQ+, it’s important that you research schools to make sure they’ve created a supportive environment. In this guide, you’ll learn how to research colleges and review additional topics such as the unique challenges LGBTQ students face and the resources and legal rights available to them.
Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly College
Before you apply to a school, be sure to research the nine points below. Much of your research can begin with college websites, but if you’re strongly considering a campus, we recommend consulting your high school counselors, the college’s admissions office, and current students in addition to reviewing their college website.
Read more here from Intelligent.com…
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, pansexual, aromantic, genderqueer, nonbinary, and intersex students may have varied experiences in college depending on the community they encounter. Statistics published by the Human Rights Campaign revealed that only 26% of LGBTQ+ teens feel safe in their schools.
For many young queer people, college is where things finally begin to change. To make college a little easier, we’ve created this ultimate guide of resources for LGBTQ+ students in higher education, including scholarships, resources, clubs, anti-bullying hotlines and more. For anyone considering themselves to be somewhere along the gender, sexuality, or romanticism spectrum, here’s what one might consider to be a handbook for LGBTQ+ college students, with helpful LGBTQ+ information such as ways to make the college campus feel more inclusive and less homophobic. Here are some top resources for LGBTQ students going to or getting ready for college.
Read more here about LGBTQ+ Resources for Students…
Defining Intersectionality & Intersectional Feminist Theory
Intersectionality was first coined and defined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 as “the various way[s] in which race and gender interact to shape the multiple dimensions of black women’s employment experiences.” (Crenshaw, 1989, 139). Crenshaw sought to explain how African-American women experience prejudice and discrimination at the intersection of two aspects of their identity; their race and their gender. Crenshaw argued that the lived experience of these women was not merely a sum of being African-American and women; instead, that a unique lived experience existed at the intersection of identities. Although arguments laying foundations for intersectionality date back to the 1960s and 1970s (Geerts & Van der Tuin, 2013, 171), intersectionality as a term arguably originates in Crenshaw’s work.
At its core, intersectional feminist theory & intersectional feminism aims to “[conceptualize] the relation between systems of oppression which construct our multiple identities and our social locations in hierarchies of power and privilege.” (Carastathis, 2014). To simplify, intersectional theory suggests that people experience marginalisation and discrimination because of social systems which determine value based on a person’s attributes, such as our aforementioned protected characteristics; and that the intersecting (not simply the addition or subtraction) of these attributes lead people to experience differing levels and types of privilege or inequality.
Read more here about What is Intersectionality? Intersectional Feminist Theory Explaineds…
Addiction can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and environmental influences. A person’s experiences can play an important role in the development of addiction. This includes the people, places, and things that we come into contact with throughout our lives.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community can be subjected to more episodes of inequality, abuse, and rejection than people within other sectors of society. As a result of this, there is a higher risk of developing substance use disorders. A report by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) states that, in comparison to the general population, the LGBT community is more likely to use alcohol and drugs and have higher rates of substance abuse.
Historically, many studies have categorized findings related to a sexual minority (LGB – lesbian, gay, and bisexual) and compared them with a sexual majority (heterosexual). More recent studies are using the abbreviation LGBTQ+ (or LGBTQIA+). This more inclusive term incorporates all sexual identities and genders. These include, but are not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual, gender fluid, non-binary, and allies.
Read more here about LGBTQ+ Addiction Resource Guide…
At Testing.com, we help consumers advocate for their health by providing them with learning guides and products that make lab testing accessible, convenient and affordable.
Hundreds of easy-to-read lab testing guides. Confidential, secure and convenient online lab test ordering powered by trusted physician networks. Compassionate customer service support. We combine expert-reviewed lab test information with access to hundreds of in-lab and at-home tests.
It’s all about the data. Lab testing provides the data you need to build and maintain a care plan that is as custom and convenient as possible. Read over 400 expert-reviewed lab test guides to better understand what each test measures, how it’s used, when you might need a particular test, and more.
Read more here from Testing.com
A person’s body image is a lot less about how their body looks than how they feel and think about it. The culture of our society combined with our personal experiences can play a large role in how our body image develops. This causes many to have a negative body image that can result in harmful repercussions to both our mental and physical health.
Much of our society’s messaging emphasizes being fit and thin. When our bodies don’t fit this mold, it can take a heavy toll on our mental health. And even when someone’s body does fit society’s idea of beauty, they may not be happy with it, either because they don’t see themselves accurately (body dysmorphia) or because their body doesn’t fit their gender identity (gender dysphoria). Societal pressure to conform to a certain image is all the more damaging to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who already face prejudice and discrimination that can harm their mental health.
Read more here from an Article Written by Dr. David A. Sieber
People in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to struggle with substance abuse and mental illness, and that number increases when those individuals are also part of the BIPOC community. And unfortunately, despite the large numbers affected by drugs and alcohol, there are very few treatment facilities that specialize in treating the needs of black LGBTQ+ individuals. To decrease the deficit in care for members of the black LGBTQ+ community, we have found a variety of resources that are meant to help you through the hardest journey of your life.
Read more here about Black LGBTQ+ Specific Resources
Members of the LGBTQ+ community have historically suffered from substance use disorders and mental health conditions that are often left untreated due to a large disparity in safe, effective healthcare options. On top of that, Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) who identify as LGBTQ+ are hit even harder. Not knowing where to turn or what to do can be scary when you’re suffering from addiction and feel like there is no one to help. We have compiled a list of safe resources you can turn to when seeking help and support for yourself or loved ones.
Read more here about AAPI LGBTQ+ Substance Abuse and Resources
The QTBIPOC community encompasses Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. When discussing this community, we must acknowledge intersectionality. Defined as a person’s overlap of social identities, intersectionality is a combination of gender identity, sexuality, class, race, and mobility. The QTBIPOC community stands at the intersection of race, gender identity and sexuality. Because of this, their experiences and their treatment needs are unique. Access to culturally competent mental health and addiction care is vital for members of this community. Some helpful organizations, resources, and communities that are working to improve the mental health care of QTBIPOC individuals include: …
Read more here about QTBIPOC Addiction & Mental Health Support
For many seniors, keeping up with a home takes tremendous effort and financial investment. That’s why many older adults decide to sell their homes and take advantage of the benefits of senior housing. But for the estimated 2.4 million seniors in the United States who identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex and asexual plus allies), finding a supportive senior housing community can be especially challenging. Due to a lack of LGBTQIA+-specific affordable senior housing options and inadequate staff training, there is a very high potential for discrimination and mistreatment of seniors.
We created this guide to help you find these LGBTQ+-friendly communities. For each community, you’ll find a short description of the services and amenities available to help you determine which options will likely meet your needs. The guide also includes helpful resources for LGBTQIA+ seniors and a list of questions to ask when you call or visit one of these communities.
Read more here about LGBTQIA+ Senior Housing Options from Caring.com
Growing older presents challenges for millions of Americans, but members of the LGBTQ+ community are particularly hard-hit. According to the UCLA Williams Institute, LGBTQ+ older adults face many additional barriers to receiving health care. We created this guide to connect the elders of the LGBTQ+ community to the resources and information necessary to help them find the care that they need.
Read more here about LGBTQ+ Elder Health Care Guide from Retireguide.com
LGBTQ-friendly drug and alcohol rehab facilities are designed to help LGBTQ-identifying people by addressing their unique needs during addiction recovery treatment.
People with substance use disorders who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) face unique challenges and stigma that make securing addiction treatment difficult.
For this reason, members of the LGBTQ community may benefit from specialized drug and alcohol rehab programs designed for their specific health issues and needs.
Treatment programs may feature specialized treatment services such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapy, telehealth, and mental health treatment.
List Of LGBTQ-Friendly Rehab Programs In The U.S.
The rehab facilities listed here were selected by our team based on their treatment process, accreditation status, Google ratings, client testimonials, and other accolades.
Read more here about LGBT-Friendly Drug Rehab Centers In The U.S.
Creating LGBTQIA+-friendly schools and universities promotes a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This leads to several benefits such as promoting diversity and inclusivity, reducing discrimination and bullying, improving mental health, helping LGBTQIA+ students achieve academic success, and creating a positive learning environment for everyone involved.
Inclusive environments help reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with being in an unsupportive environment and can improve mental health outcomes. Additionally, when LGBTQIA+ students feel safe and supported, they are better able to focus on their academic goals and achieve academic success. The following article dives more deeply into how schools and universities can approach introducing inclusive learning environments for all students.
Read more here about Creating LGBTQIA+ Friendly Schools and Campus Communities.
