Celebrating Pride Month
June is Pride Month. A moment to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots and promote equal rights and opportunities for all lesbians, gay men, bisexual, transgender people, and those who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
LGBTQ+ individuals are still four times as likely to encounter violence than their straight counterparts, according to recent statistics. In 2020, there were a record-breaking number of murders committed against transgender people, the majority of whom were black women. Transgender people face an elevated risk of sexual violence, and 50% of transgender people report having been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.
At Prevent Child Abuse America, we are committed to promoting a world where all, especially adolescents and young adults living in systemically disenfranchised communities with limited resources have the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law. We support pieces of legislation, actions and projects that are inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
As we proudly continue celebrating the progress that has been made thus far, as well as the challenges that remain, we’ve curated a list of LGBTQ+ organizations that we encourage you to learn more about and support in their work to solve the prove the problems that LGBTQ+ individuals across the nation and beyond are experiencing.
The Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is a nationwide organization dedicated to ensuring equal rights for LGBTQ people in the United States. The Human Rights Campaign Fund was founded by Steve Endean in 1980 with the goal of providing financial support for political candidates who support LGBTQ rights. Since then, the group has grown to become the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the United States, offering support and awareness for and on behalf of the LGBTQ community.
The Trevor Project
Depression and suicidal thoughts are far more common in LGBTQ youth than in their straight and cisgender counterparts, especially if they are bullied by their peers or rejected by their families because of their identities. The Trevor Project, which was established in 1998, aims to reduce this discrepancy in health by providing crisis intervention services and connecting people to local resources.
Professional suicide prevention and crisis intervention training are also offered by the Trevor Project to educators, school nurses, and counselors as well as anybody else who can make an impact in a young person’s life.
Point Foundation
The Point Foundation, one of the few LGBTQ groups that grant college scholarships to LGBTQ high school seniors, works to make campuses more open and accessible to everyone. Incoming LGBTQ students who can show financial need, academic achievement, and a history of community leadership and service can apply for a college scholarship from The Point Foundation.
GLSEN
A group of teachers in Massachusetts created GLSEN in 1990 in an effort to reduce bullying and prejudice against LGBTQ kids in schools from kindergarten through high school. Since then, GLSEN has worked on important pieces of legislation like the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which mandates that all K-12 grade schools implement anti-bullying policies with specific protection for those who are bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This act was a major step forward for GLSEN.
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
A philanthropic organization that funds LGBTQ efforts around the world, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, may be a good fit if you’re particularly interested in the arts or global concerns affecting LGBTQ people. The majority of Astraea’s grants are awarded to U.S.-based organizations, while the rest are awarded to overseas projects.
The Intersex Human Rights Fund of the organization supports projects that promote the health and inclusion of intersex people around the world, who are often disregarded even within LGBTQ
organizations.
The America Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
It has been a century since the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was established as a non-profit organization dedicated to upholding and defending the civil liberties and rights of all citizens in the United States. The ACLU’s principal goal is to prevent and combat government abuse and overreach, from reproductive rights to free speech and marriage equality.
The Ali Forney Center
It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of New York City’s homeless adolescents belong to the LGBTQ community, and the Ali Forney Center seeks to address this issue specifically for them.
The majority of the Ali Forney Center’s teen and young adult clients were evicted from their homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Young people who identify as LGBTQ have access to a variety of programs at the center, including short-term shelter, long-term transitional housing, health care, and educational opportunities.
GLAAD
Since its founding in 1985 as a response to the aggressive media coverage of the AIDS pandemic, GLAAD has evolved into the foremost voice for accurate media portrayals of the LGBTQIA+ community. GLAAD is there to ensure awareness and accountability for everything from major events to proper portrayals of queer stories in cinema and television.
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a non-profit organization that provides a hotline and microgrants for transgender people. In addition to offering financial assistance and a 24-hour crisis hotline for transgender persons in the United States and Canada, it is the only service of its kind in the country with an all-trans staff. There are paid employees on board in addition to the many volunteers who still contribute their time and expertise, despite the fact that it began as a volunteer-run business in 2014.
National Center for Transgender Equality
Founded in 2003, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that campaigns for transgender equality in the United States. As part of its mission to advance the civil rights of transgender individuals, the social justice group has launched media campaigns and drafted legislation to raise public awareness.
Other important issues are the freedom from hate crimes, workplace discrimination, and violence for transgender persons as well as their rights to equal education and employment.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation
Founded in honor of Matthew Shepard, the young man who was brutally attacked and murdered in Laramie, Wyoming, by a group of homophobic bullies in 1998, the organization was started by Matthew’s parents, Dennis and Judy. Now, it’s focused on education and advocacy initiatives like the Erase Hate campaign, which enlists local theatres and police enforcement as well as embassies worldwide in its outreach efforts.
SAGE
LGBT seniors encounter specific problems when it comes to assisted living facilities, senior care, and obtaining support. SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders) is one of the few LGBTQ Non – governmental organizations that focuses on the elderly.
An affirming and inclusive environment can be fostered in senior care facilities through the organization’s cultural competency training programs for staff. LGBT elders can find inexpensive homes through the National LGBT Housing Initiative, which SAGE administers.
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
One of the largest organizations for healthcare providers who identify as LGBT is GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (HPAE). Prior to this, it was known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, and it has worked for 30 years to guarantee that both LGBTQ individuals and healthcare professionals receive equal access to healthcare.
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides health and mental healthcare to LGBT people in LA. It boasts an impressive research team who are working hard to advance treatment and medical attention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Through a network of therapists, pharmacy staff, and medical providers, the center aims to help its clients live healthier and happier lives.
Outright Action International
For 30 years, Outright Action International has been working on LGBTIQ advocacy and research in various parts of the world. Through research, campaigning, and fundraising, the charity offers in-depth documentation to activists.
Black AIDS Institute
The Black AIDS Institute is tackling the HIV epidemic in Black communities head-on with high–quality services and resources. Their aim is to engage Black institutions and individuals while seeking advocacy efforts and policy from Black leaders and communities throughout the US.
LGBTQ Freedom Fund
The LGBTQ Freedom Fund discovered that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or non-gender conforming are three times more likely to be jailed than those who aren’t. The fund was set up to pay bail for those who have been arrested and to ensure their safety both in jail and when they have been released on bail.
Child Welfare Information Gateway 9CWIG) Shares Resources to Support LGBTQIA2S+
Show your Pride! 🌈 Across the nation, people are coming together this month to honor and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) communities. Representing about 30% of youth in foster care, it is imperative for professionals to learn how to provide culturally responsive support for LGBTQIA2S+ children and youth.
Here are some tips and ways from to support the LGBTQ+ community and youth:
Resources to Support LGBTQIA2S+ Communities (govdelivery.com)
Family Voices United is encouraging you to share your perspective on How can the child welfare system create an affirming and supportive culture for all those who identify as LGBTQ2S+.