• Youth Resource
  Online peer-based sexual health education by and for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24. Includes peer health educators, info for LGBT youth of color, young women, deaf, and rural youth. Information on HIV and sexually transmitted infections, substance use, self-injury, body image, depression, coming out, pride and coalition building, school issues, and healthy relationships.
  www.amplifyyourvoice.org

• Advocates for Youth
  National organization that provides education, information and advocacy to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Child-parent communication initiative to help parents communicate effectively with children and teens about sexual health. Training and workshops, publications, and online resources. Materials for LGBT youth
  www.advocatesforyouth.org

• GSA Network
  A national youth leadership organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and community resources through peer support, leadership development, and training.
  www.GSAnetwork.org

• GLBT National Youth Talkline
  Provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.
  ww.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org/talkline/index.html=
• National Youth Advocacy Coalition

  National advocacy organization for LGBT youth. Youth conferences and education.
  www.nyacyouth.org

• Third Wave Foundation
  A feminist, activist foundation that works nationally to support young women and transgender youth ages 13-20.
  www.thirdwavefoundation.blogspot.com

• The Trevor Project
  The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
  www.thetrevorproject.org

• TransActive:  Supporting Transgender Children and Youth.
  Seeks to improve the quality of life of transgender and gender-nonconforming children, youth, and their families through education, services, advocacy, and research.
  www.transactiveonline.org

• Youth Guardian Services
  Provides internet services and resources to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and supportive youth.
  www.youth-guard.org

• It Gets Better Project
  www.itgetsbetter.org

We recommend the following books. Each can be found on Amazon, but we also have copies of many of these titles. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Are you or someone you know being bullied? 

• Stand Up, Speak Out Catawba Valley – Bullying Prevention Organization right here in Catawba County
  http://www.standupspeakoutcv.org/
• Bullying: Tips For Students
  http://www.tolerance.org/activity/bullying-tips-students  –
• Have you or someone you know experienced LGBT based bullying, harassment, or discrimination in school?  Claim your rights!

School Related Resources

According to research conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), more than 60% of LGBT students feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation and around 44% because of their gender expression. A majority of LGBT students experience cyberbullying and more than 80% of students hear “gay” used in a derogatory way frequently at school. In the school hallways, in the cafeteria, on the bus, and even in the classroom, LGBT students often feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, and targeted just for being who they are.

• GLAD
  National organization for advocacy to promote safer schools
  GLAD.org

• GLSEN
  National organization for advocacy to promote safer schools
  www.glsen.org

• Safe Schools Coalition
  Coalition to provide school advocacy, training, resources and research to promote safer schools.
  www.safeschoolscoalition.org

• GSA Network – Gay, Straight Alliance (GSA) Network
  Youth-led organization to provide networking and support for GSAs. Youth conferences, advocacy and training.
  www.gsanetwork.org

• Gender Spectrum
  Provides education, training, and support to help create a gender-sensitive and inclusibe environment for all children and teens.
  www.genderspectrum.org
• Stop Bullying. gov
  www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/at-school/build-safe-environment/index.html
• Safe Schools NC is statewide non-profit organization dedicated to creating a safe and positive learning environment for all students and educators in North Carolina, with an emphasis on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
  www.safeschoolsnc.com

Family Resources

• Family Acceptance Project
  Based at San Francisco State University, the Family Acceptance Project researches how to improve family wellness and offers support to families with LGBTQ members.
  familyproject.sfsu.edu

• PFLAG (National Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays)National organization for education, advocacy and support for families and friends of LGBT persons. Chapters are available in all states – check website for local chapters and educational materials for families.
  www.pflag.org

• HRC FamilyNet
  A resource and online information base for LGBT families sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign
  www.hrc.org
  

Faith Based Resources

• Faith Based Support

• Faith in America

• Straight for Equality in Faith Communities
  

• Adam’s Gift
• The God Box

Transgender Resources

• FAQ’s for Trans* Youth
• Disclosure  means revealing to someone that you are transgender.
• Gender Spectrum
• While there are support groups, some feel safer to be themselves and explore issues online rather than sitting across the table from someone. If you’re between the age of 13 and 19 and are looking to connect with other gender-expansive  youth and their allies, you can join the online community at the Gender Spectrum Lounge.
• Dating and Relationships
• Trans Kids Purple Rainbow Foundation

Gender-Related Resources

• Gender Spectrum Education and Training
  Provides comprehensive training for schools and organizations working with children and teens. Training includes complete education on gender identity and gender expression for teachers, administrators, parents, and students. Guidance to help organizations develop inclusive policy. www.genderspectrum.org

LGBT Legal Advocacy Organizations

• LGBT Q Law Center – Charlotte
  www.fcsj.org
•  Human Rights Campaign

  Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equal Rights
  www.hrc.org

• ACLU – LGBT Rights
  The LGBT Project works for an America free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

  http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/lgbt-youth-schools

• Equality NC
  Equality NC is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians.
  www.equalitync.org

• Family Equality Council
  Family Equality Council is changing attitudes and policies to ensure all families are respected, loved, and celebrated – especially families with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
  www.familyequality.org

• Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
  National organization that focuses on civil rights for LGBT persons and people with HIV/AIDS, including school-based victimization of LGBT youth, through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.
  www.lambdalegal.org

• The National Center for Lesbian Rights
  National legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
  www.nclrights.org

• The National Center for Transgender Equality
  Dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment.
  www.transequality.org 

List of books supportive of LGBTQ youth available at the Hickory City Library