Live Your Truth

In honor and celebration of Pride Month, we have put together the Celebrate Your Pride collection to remind you to always live your truth. At EVOLVE, we believe that who you are and who you love is beautiful, which is why we have shared this extensive list of resources if you are in need of support, as well as a list of books, media, and more educational materials so that we can continue the conversation with the LGBTQIA+ community and understand how to be better allies. If we missed anything or if there is anything that you would like us to add, please send us an email at shopevolvestore@gmail.com

 

 

Direct Care/Hotlines for LGBTQIA+ Folks:

The Trevor Project: 24/7, confidential, and free

• A national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
• Call 1-866-488-7386 to access the TrevorLifeline suicide prevention and crisis intervention phone service or online chat here
• Text START to 678-678 to access confidential, 24/7 TrevorText with a counselor

LGBT National Hotline: free and confidential, M-F 4:00 pm-midnight & Saturday noon-5 pm (EST)

• Call 888-843-4564 or email help@LGBThotline.org to talk and receive resources for different issues and concerns including, but not limited to, coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide, and much more
• For LGBTQ folks under the age of 25, access the LGBT National Youth Talkline by calling ​800-246-7743 or by emailing help@LGBThotline.org 

Trans Lifeline: free and confidential, 10 am-4 am EST each day

• A trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive
• Call 877-565-8860 in the U.S. or 877-330-6366 in Canada or email contact@translifeline.org  for confidential support from trans-identifying counselors

CenterLink LGBT Community Center Member Directory

• Find LGBT health centers in each state through this directory here

Lambda Legal

• A national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work, website here

Virginia Anti-Violence Project LGBTQ+ Helpline, 24/7, confidential, and free

• Call 866-356-6998 or text 804-793-9999 for LGBTQ+ folks looking for information or help regarding intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, and stalking
• Access to live online chat here
• The VAVP also has individual support services and advocacy you can read here

Health Brigade

• Virginia’s oldest free clinic located in Richmond with medical, mental health, community outreach, and care coordination services for low-income and uninsured persons
• Call 804-358-6343 to speak to the medical clinic and check your eligibility to access services here

LGBT Life Center

• Empowers the LGBTQ communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities, and providing transformative education and advocacy in Virginia
• Access the website here or use the contact form to talk to a professional
• Five locations in Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

• The Mental Health Fund (MHF) for Queer and Trans People of Color provides financial support for QTPoC to work with psychotherapists in an effort to address the economic barriers inherent in healthcare and the mental health system
• The Mental Health Fund provides financial support for up to 6 sessions with a psychotherapist. Applicants can request up to $100 per session. Learn more about the application process here
• The QTPoC Mental Health Practitioner Directory can be accessed here to find licensed practitioners across the country that are registered with the network

Pride Institute:

• The admissions staff is available 24/7 by calling 888-616-5031 for a no-cost assessment and through the online contact form here
• The Pride Institute supports LGBTQ folks in recovery from addiction and mental health issues, including a Residential Treatment Center Program, Partial Hospitalization with Lodging, Intensive Outpatient Program, and a Kindred Family Program with main campuses in Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, and Rochester, Minnesota as well as access to online educational topics here

National Runaway Safeline: 24/7, confidential, and free

• Call 1-800-786-2929, text 66008, or access free online chat here to assist runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth with crisis intervention and safety planning services

Crisis Text Line: 24/7, confidential, and free

• Free texting service that can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 24/7, confidential, and free

• Call 1-800-273-8255 for distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals or online chat here 

Mental Health America:

• Free online screening tools for mental health conditions here
• General resource list for COVID-19 and mental health here
• For Virginia constituents:
  • The Mental Health America of Virginia Warm Line is available at 1-866-400-MHAV (6428) for mental health resources and referrals in Virginia

Additional Resources for LGBTQIA+ Folks:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), list of LGBT Health Clinics by state and city
• TrevorSpace, an online international peer-to-peer community for LGBTQ young people and their friends 
• EqualityVirginia, the leading advocacy organization in Virginia seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people with legal and support resources 
• Trans Teens Online Talk Group, a weekly moderated group for trans and gender-expansive youth ages 12 to 19, to talk in a safe space and to be able to fully express themselves 7-10 pm EST on Thursdays and Fridays
• Q Chat Space, an online community for LGBTQ+ teens to find and give support, have fun, connect around shared interests and get good information
• National Center for Transgender Equality, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide for trans people and their families to stay safe
• “Going To Therapy As A QTPOC, Without Being Harmed, Erased Or Baffled”, an article from BGD on finding the right therapist for you as a queer and/or trans person of color who needs support
• “Why I Needed to See a Queer Therapist (And How You Can Find One, Too)”, an article from Them. on finding a queer-affirming therapist and resources to do so
• LGBTQ Youth: 4 Ways You Can Prepare to Safely Access Housing Services, steps and information on your rights under HHS’s rules
• GLAAD, a dynamic media force that tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change for LGBTQIA+ rights
• Black Transmen Inc., health care support services, support groups for Black Transmen/Transwomen/Non-Binary Folks, mentoring, housing stability services, and leadership conferences
• University of Richmond LGBTQ+ Campus and Community Resources, with lists of local, national, and trans-specific resources in Richmond and around the country

Useful Articles, Links, and Resources for Allies:

• COVID-19 Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks, GoFundMe Page to donate to in support of queer communities of color struggling due to COVID-19
• True Colors United, implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people which you can donate to or take action with to pass important legislation with a Learning Community as well
• “The Ultimate LGBTQIA+ Pride Book List”, compiled by Penguin Random House on books to read on LGBTQIA+ stories and history
• LGBTQ+ Films and Documentaries, compiled by GLAAD on documentaries and films to watch this pride month on the stories and history of sexual freedom/rights
• Planned Parenthood Info and Resources for LGBTQ Teens and Allies, list of resources and tips for allies when supporting the LGBTQ community
• GLSEN Ally Week, resources on how to facilitate an Ally Week at your school in September as well as information on how to be an ally and support the LGBTQ+ community by recognizing your privilege
• Advocates for Youth, works alongside thousands of young people here in the U.S. and around the globe as they fight for sexual health, rights, and justice
• PFLAG Guide to Being a Straight Ally, a guide where all people who care about fairness can honestly and openly discuss and remove the barriers they face to becoming allies, get specific recommendations for action, and learn how to assist others
• “9 Black LGBTQ Organizations to Donate to Right Now”, a list by Vanessa Maki on a list of Black-run nonprofits for racial and sexual justice to donate to now
• Human Rights Campaign, a national network for Americans to become personally involved in the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality
• Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), 400+ chapter network provides confidential peer support, education, and advocacy for LGBT people, their families, friends, and allies
• LGBT Homelessness, statistics, action items, places to donate, and resources on understanding LGBT homelessness in the U.S.

 

-Courtesy of Mental Health America of Virginia, Anna Marston