Resources
The Campaign for Southern Equality's Trans Youth Emergency Fund (TYEP) helps families navigate the complexities of accessing gender-affirming care, providing logistical and financial resources. $500 renewable grants are available for families dealing with unexpected travel or other related expenses because of barriers to receiving care.
COLAGE - (formerly Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) is the only national organization dedicated to the youth of LGBTQ+ families. It offers social groups, co-sponsors the largest queer family event (Family Week in Provincetown, MA), drives advocacy and policy that impacts queer families, and provides leadership opportunities for queerspawn (children of LGBTQ+ parents).
Families United for Trans Rights (FUTR) - A national organization of parents, friends, and allies of trans individuals who are focused on securing trans rights for Americans through support of political candidates and philanthropic efforts. To increase representation in elected positions nationwide, FUTR supports trans or LGBTQ+-inclusive candidates for office at all levels of government. FUTR is currently recruiting individuals from ALL Congressional districts in the US to serve as Anchor Organizers. In this role, individuals organize opportunities to speak with their local elected officials about legislation impacting the trans community, as well as help support trans candidates gain exposure.
GLMA (Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, formerly Gay and Lesbian Medical Association) - A national organization of health care providers focused on advancing LGBTQ+ health equity through research, legal advocacy, and education. GLMA offers access to a LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory (currently numbering over 5,000), which is a trusted resource for finding affirming care providers. It can be used by anyone.
Mama Dragons - is an organization for mothers of LGBTQ+ children that provides education, support groups, and access to resources.
Pregnant Together - queer family building community offering support groups, education, resources, and expert advice to members of the LGBTQ+ community creating and raising families.
The Safe Zone Project provide resources for anyone to explore their concept of gender, gender roles and various forms of gender expression.
Transparent USA is a national organization with local chapters all over the country. The organization "envisions a world that honors and affirms the naturally occurring transgender experience. Our mission is to bring compassionate support to parents and caregivers navigating complex issues faced by their gender-expansive children of any age."
The Trevor Project offers support and guidance for trans youth and their families, as well as funding essential research on LGBTQIA+ youth.
Iowa:
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Capital City Pride of Des Moines' mission rests on 5 pillars: education, family, health/wellness, community, and celebration.
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Des Moines Pride Center states its mission as offering "a community organization where gender, sexual minorities, allies, and their families are supported, celebrated, and served through providing access to Queer literature, historical archives, and a safe environment where people can thrive as healthy equal, and complete members of the community.
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One Iowa defines itself as "a catalyst for improving the lives of LGBTQ Iowans."
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OUT Metrowest provides free programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, as well as adult LGBTQIA+ role models.
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MA Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth is an independent state agency that "advises others in state government on effective policies, programs, and resources for LGBTQ youth." The commission seeks the participation and voices of LGBTQ youth living in the Commonweath.
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GLAD Law provides a variety of resources to the LGBTQ+ community, including this guide to the protections for LGBTQ students attending public K-12 institutions in the Commonwealth.
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MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has a comprehensive guide to the state non-discrimination laws for LGBTQ students, as well as guidance on the provision of affirming an curriculum
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DESE also has this resource for parents to understand the statewide protocols to address bullying
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GLAD Law Answers is available for free, confidential legal info, resources, and referrals: GLADLawAnswers.org
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Student voice and community-building through: GSA Student Leadership Council (middle/high school level) & Rainbow Clubs(elementary level, focusing on inclusion, belonging, and self-expression) https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/lgbtq/default.html
Missouri:
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Transparent USA chapters in St. Louis and St. Charles.
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Greater St. Louis PFLAG is a 100% volunteer-led organization whose mission is "to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Through our core values of meeting people where they are and collaborating with others, PFLAG seeks to realize our vision through support, education, and advocacy."
Nebraska:
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Omaha for Us "is a community center that builds intentional community and creates equitable space for LGBTQ+ individuals in Nebraska."
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PFLAG Omaha, and State Senator Megan Hunt who is NE’s first out bisexual state representative, first woman elected to the 8th district, and mom of a transgender child.
South Dakota: The SD Transformation Project and The Prism Center are based in Sioux Falls. Their mission is provide the transgender community of South Dakota with support, empowerment and a safe meeting space while also educating "the region about gender identity and expression."
Will and Harper - a 2024 Netflix documentary about the friendship between actor and comedian, Will Ferrell, and former writer for SNL and trans woman, Harper Steele.
Close to You - a 2023 film about a trans man returning home to see family and friends after four years of finding himself. Stars trans actor, Elliott Page.
Being Alive - Kyle Ranson-Walsh’s Substack offers a glimpse into the life of a trans man, writer, and father, as well as exposure to trans authors and voices via Kyle’s spotlights and book group.
Good Queer News - Ben Greene’s Substack offers a regular dose of exactly what’s advertised in the title: good queer news. He is a trans man, published writer, speaker, and advocate. He also offers his analysis of the not-so-great news with a healthy dose of suggestions on how to take care of ourselves and each other.
Jesse Friedin's Are You Ok? Portraits elevate trans youth and their parents with professional photographs and interviews. Friedin is a photographer and transman who traveled throughout the US to capture these images and stories.
Trans Teen and Family Narratives (TTFN) Project is a toolkit for family members or mental health providers to use with trans youth. It contains videos of trans youth, discussion guides and resources to support a young person’s gender journey. The development of TTFN was led by Dr. Sabra L. Katz-Wise (she/her), an Associate Professor in Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and in Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Katz-Wise also co-directs the Harvard SOGIE Health Equity Research Collaborative. Dr. Katz-Wise and her team are based at Boston Children’s Hospital.
GLAAD’s Here We Are Now campaign, launched during PRIDE 2024, aims to increase trans visibility and address the 70% of Americans who say they don’t know anyone who is trans through video stories of a handful of trans individuals.
Erin Reed is a trans woman, public speaker, activist and journalist who provides regular updates about legislative and public events impacting the trans community. She maintains tabs on legislative acts throughout the US, as well as worldwide. Her social handle is @erininthemorn.
A few podcasts I think are great: Queer Family Podcast, created and hosted by actress and lesbian mom, Jaimie Kelton. The Parent Advocate, hosted by parents, Lizette Trujillo & Stephen Chukumba (who also stars in the Netflix documentary, The Dads). Camp Wild Heart, created by therapist and advocate, Mackenzie Dunham.