I know I can't be everything for everyone, and sometimes there are things in life that require immediate attention and help. Amidst all the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, bullying, harassment, violence and discrimination, it's hard to feel hopeful and supported in our world. I understand that.
I want to offer a little ray of sunshine in the fact that some people and organizations exist that advocate for LGBTQ+ folks and their loved ones. There are also affirming churches here in California where you can worship safely and in a loving environment; I've listed a few below. To that end, here is a list of resources for people in the LGBTQQIA+ community:
Crisis Resources for LGBTQ+ People
For crises:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
988 (talk or text); 1-800-273-TALK (8255) http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
The Trevor Project:
866-488-7386 http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860 and translifeline.org) is a nonprofit hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people currently experiencing a crisis.
For Loved Ones of LGBTQ People
For friends and loved ones of LGBTQ individuals: http://www.pflag.org/
For family members: https://lgbtqfamilyacceptance.org/
For civil rights defense: https://www.hrw.org/topic/lgbt-rights
For Advocacy:
National Anti-violence Project from Lambda Legal Defense: https://avp.org/ncavp/
Advocates For Trans Equality - A4TE: http://transequality.org/
LGBTQ+ Affirming Churches:
Christ Chapel Long Beach: 562-438-5303
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley: www.stjohnsberkeley.org
Plymouth United Christ Church in Oakland, CA: https://www.plymouthoakland.org/contact
Metropolitan Community Church in San Diego: 619-521-2222
West Hollywood United Church of Christ: 323-874-6646
Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach: 562-597-8445
Unity of Antelope Valley: 661-486-1505.
First Unitarian Church of Oakland: 510-893-6129.
Books for LGBTQ+ People and Loved Ones
The Transgender Child, by Stephanie Brill
Gender Born, Gender Made, by Diane Ehrensaft
He's Always Been My Son - A Mother's Story About Raising Her Transgender Son by Janna Barkin
A Grand Love - Stories For Grandparents Of Transgender Grandchildren, by Janna Barkin
The Transgender Teen, by Stephanie Brill and Lisa Kenney
The Gender Creative Child, by Diane Ehrensaft
Helping your Transgender Teen, by Irwin Kreiger
Jazz Mergirl, by Bruce Edlen, M.Ed.
Being Jazz: My Life as a Transgender Teen, by Jazz Jennings
Before I Had The Words, by Skylar Kergil
Becoming Nicole, by Amy Ellis Nutt
He/She/They, by Schuyler Bailar
Transitioning Later In Life, by Jillian Celentano
Who are You?, by Brook Pessin Whedbee
Phoenix Goes To School, by Michelle and Phoenix Finch
More book suggestions can be found on the Stand with Trans book list: https://standwithtrans.org/book-list/
Support Services and Information:
Positive Images (Sonoma County, California): https://posimages.org
Mama Bears https://www.realmamabears.org/
Trans Heartline: https://transheartline.org
Trans Students Educational Resources: https://www.transstudent.org
Ally Parents: https://standwithtrans.org/ally-parents
Stand With Trans: https://standwithtrans.org
Los Angeles Gender Center: http://www.lagendercenter.com
University of San Francisco Center of Excellence for Transgender Health: http://transhealth.ucsf.edu
Local to the Antelope Valley:
The OUTReach Center: https://outreachcenterav.org/about.html
Information about gender-affirming speech: https://onlinespeechpathologyprograms.org/gender-affirming-verbal-communication/
Information about gender-affirming medical care (written for nurses but still informative):
As always, if you are right on the edge of acting on suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or you just don't feel like you can manage to stay safe, please call 911, 988, or go to the nearest hospital! Your safety is important to me, and to the community. You deserve to live and be safe. I will definitely add to this as I learn more about the resources available. This is a preliminary list. If you would like to speak with an LGBTQ-affirming therapist, please call me at 661-233-6771 or click the button below.