LGBTQ+ Students and Resources

Positive environments are important to help all youth thrive. However, the health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth can differ from their heterosexual peers. This section shares resources from government agencies and community organizations for LGBTQ+ youth, their friends, educators, parents and family members to support positive environments. It is critical for parents, guardians and other family members of LGBTQ+ youth to have access to the resources they need to ensure their LGBTQ+ children are protected and supported.

• Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Student Action
• Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network
• HealthyChildren.org: Health Concerns for Gay and Lesbian teens
• It Gets Better Project
• Q Card Project
• Q Chat Space
• Stomp Out Bullying: Making Schools Safe for LGBTQ Community
• The Trevor Project: Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
• Top 50+ LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges

• Gender & Sexual Identity | Learning for Justice 
  Learn for Justice provides free educational resources—articles, guides, lessons, films, webinars, frameworks and more—help foster shared learning and reflection for educators, young people, caregivers and all community members. These resources can help educators shape inclusive policies and empower vulnerable students. 
• Advocates for Youth (AFY): LGBTQ Resources for Professionals 
  Lesson plans, tips and strategies, background information, and additional resources to help youth-serving professionals create safe space for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 
• American Psychological Association (APA) Resources 
  • Healthy Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students Project 
    The APA Safe and Supportive Schools Project promotes safe and supportive environments to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among adolescents. 
  • Just the Facts: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel 
    Just the Facts provides information and resources for principals, educators and school personnel who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian and bisexual students. 
  • Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 
    Accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation. 

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• Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History: Teaching materials for educators 
  “Bullied” is a documentary film designed to help administrators, teachers and counselors create a safer school environment for all students, not just those who are gay and lesbian. 
• CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health: Protective Factors for LGBT Youth: Information for Health and Education Professionals
  Information summarizing key findings that can strengthen programs and research that support LGBT youth. 
• Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Educator Resources 
  GLSEN educator guides and lessons to support your curriculum and practices. 
• Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Network 
  GSA clubs are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. 
• HIV and Youth
  Addressing HIV in youth requires that young people have access to information and tools they need to reduce their risk, make healthy decisions, and get treatment and care if they have HIV. 

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• National Alliance to End Homelessness: Serving LGBT Homeless Youth 
  To end LGBTQ youth homelessness, youth and young adults need stable housing, supportive connections to caring adults, and access to mainstream services that will place them on a path to long-term success. 
• National Education Association: LGBTQ+ Resources for Educators
  A resource page designed to provide educators with LGBTQ+ information, tools and resources.
• StopBullying.gov: Information for LGBTQ Youth 
  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth and those perceived as LGBTQ are at an increased risk of being bullied. There are important and unique considerations for strategies to prevent and address bullying of LGBTQ youth. 
• The Trevor Project: Education and Resources for Adults 
  The Trevor Project’s “Trainings for Professionals” include in-person Ally and CARE training designed for adults who work with youth. These trainings help counselors, educators, administrators, school nurses, and social workers discuss LGBTQ-competent suicide prevention.

• Advocates for Youth (AFY): Are you an Askable Parent? 
  AFY provides lesson plans, tips and strategies, background information, and additional resources to help youth-serving professionals create safe spaces for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 
• American Psychological Association: Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 
  Accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation. 
• The Family Acceptance Project 
  The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education, and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBT children and youth. 
• HealthyChildren.org: Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBT Teens 
  “Coming out” is a lifelong journey of understanding, acknowledging and sharing one’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation with others. 
• Kidshealth.org: Sexual Attraction and Orientation 
  Information for parents on how youth experience sexual attraction and orientation, as well as how you as a parent or guardian may feel about and deal with youth on this topic. 

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• Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 
  Information about PFLAG’s confidential peer support and education in communities. 
• How Parents’ Influence the Health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens
  Information on how parents can promote positive health outcomes for their LGB teen. 
• SAMHSA: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children 
  This resource guide was developed to help practitioners who work in a wide range of settings to understand the critical role of family acceptance and rejection in contributing to the health and well-being of adolescents who identify as LGBTQ. 
• StopBullying.gov: Information for Parents 
  Parents play a key role in preventing and responding to bullying. If you know or suspect that your child is involved in bullying, here are several resources that may help. 
• Youth.gov: Electronic Aggression 
  Increased access to technology has benefits, but it also can increase the risk of abuse.