V.I.T.A.L. Support for LGBTQIA+ Youth

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GET HELP NOW! Hotlines:

• Gay & Lesbian National Hotline 888-843-GLNH (4564)
• National Gay & Lesbian Youth Hotline 800-347-TEEN (8336)
• The Trevor Helpline 886-488-7386 (Suicide Hotline)
• Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence:
  • Statewide 24-Hour Toll-Free Hotline: 1-888-999-5545 (ENGLISH)  / 1-888-568-8332 (ESPAÑOL)

    

    

 For additional LGBTQIA+ resources, check out our full resource page.

 

INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

• Pronouns Matter: A foundational resource on personal pronouns.
• Trystan Angel Reese Keynote: Out and Equal Workplace Summit: An 8-minute video covering coming out, family planning, and learning to love oneself.
• LGBTQ Ted Talks: Assortment of Ted Talks covering issues from LGTBTQ individuals around the globe, dealing with transgender puberty issues, policies, and having difficult conversations.
• Film - Becoming Myself: A Transgender Perspective on Behavioral Health: This 25-minute movie tells the stories of four transgender residents and the behavioral health challenges they faced as transgender individuals.  The film covers the threats facing transgender individuals and the challenges they may face both socially and medically. Good film for families and allies exploring the issue of transgender.
• National Resource Center on LGBT Aging: The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging provides training, technical assistance and educational resources to aging providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT older adults.
• GLAD Legal Advocates and Defenders: GLAD advocates and defends the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens and provides an exhaustive informational database related to legal information. 
• The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Treatment Resources: This article covers the reasons why LGBTQ+ youth may be at greater risk of substance abuse and how loved ones can help.
• Gender Identity, Dysphoria & Diversity in People With Autism: This article discusses how autistic people may experience gender dysphoria and support for youth who are trans and autistic.  

 

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

• CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) is the state’s leading voice for victims of domestic violence and those organizations that serve them.
• Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence: Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence (The Alliance) is a statewide coalition of individual sexual assault crisis programs. The Alliance works to end sexual violence through victim assistance, community education, and public policy advocacy. Their LGBT Resources Guide offers a lot of useful information and resources.
• Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness:  The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, in partnership with members and communities throughout the state, creates change through leadership, advocacy, and building the capacity of members and the field to respond to environmental challenges. Our collective mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Connecticut.
• DCF LGBTQIA+ Resources: This is a collection of resources put together by the Department of Children and Families to assist LGBTQIA+ youth and families. Learn about fair and equal treatment rights, services, and resources.
• Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS): DMHAS has compiled a list of programs and services for Lesbian, Gay, Bixexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning people with mental health and/or substance use disorders that can be founhd here: LGBT Services

 

HEALTHCARE

• LGBTQIA-Responsive Services at Wheeler: Wheeler offers a full continuum of affirming, integrated primary and behavioral health care services to residents across Connecticut.
• Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective: The Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective empowers individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions to lead healthy lives through the provision of health and support services, education and advocacy.
• Yale Medicine: Pediatric Gender Program: Provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary care for youth who are questioning their assigned gender and/or seeking gender-affirming consultation and treatment.
• Middlesex Health: Transgender Medicine: Middlesex Health's Center for Gender Medicine and Wellness is committed to providing equitable and inclusive care to individuals who are transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender expansive, as well as excellence in access, services, and outcomes.
• Trans Fertility Co.: Trans Fertility Co provides educational resources and training around trans-fertility and birthing.
• The National LGBTIA+ Health Education Center: Provides specialized training for LGBTIA+ community health needs to clinics across the country both digitally and in person. It is part of the Fenway Institute which caters health services to this community and is located in Boston MA.

 

BUSINESS

• Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber: An LGBT Alliance for Business Opportunities: The Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber (CTGLC) provides valuable business development opportunities, financial access and educational resources to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and others (LGBTQ+) and allied business community in the greater Connecticut area. As the official affiliate chamber of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), CTGLC is the voice of hundreds of LGBT-owned businesses and actively promotes and creates supplier diversity and procurement opportunities for its growing base of corporate partners and business members.

 

NATIONAL SERVICES

• Center for Disease Control (CDC):  LGBT Health Resources

• Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

• National Center for Transgender Equality: The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.

• CT Trans Advocacy Coalition: The mission of the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition (CTAC) is to make Connecticut a safe and tolerant place for the trans and gender non-conforming individual through education and social advocacy. Holds an annual conference.

 

LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY CENTERS AND SUPPORT GROUPS

• PFLAG:  The nation's largest family and ally organization.  Advocates on many LGBTQIA+ issues, provides community and scholarships for youth.
• The New Haven Pride Center: The purpose of New Haven Pride Center, formerly the New Haven Gay and Lesbian Community Center, is to provide educational, cultural and social enrichment for the LGBTQ+ community, its allies, and members, to make a positive contribution to the entire community of Greater New Haven.  Programming and Support for Youth
• Rainbow Support Group in New Haven: Support group for LGBTQ+ people and their allies, particularly those whoa re disabled.  Meets monthly.
• Triangle Community Center in Norwalk:  Triangle Community Center (TCC) is Fairfield County's leading provider of programming and resources to nurture growth and connection within the LGBTQ community. Young Adult Services
• CCAR-LGBTQ Recovery Group: Weekly meetings on Tuesday, 2-3 pm, at CCAR, 198 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford
• Quest in Waterbury:  The Queer Unity Empowerment Support Team (QUEST), established in 2015, is a community-based collaborative formed to create healthy, inclusive and safe spaces for members of the LGBT+ community, and their allies, in the Greater Waterbury area, fostering meaningful relationships, learning and joy.  Youth Services
• OUTCT in New London:  OutCT is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2013 by a diverse group of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queers and their allies in Southeastern Connecticut to plan a New London Pride Festival. They quickly realized they had enough interest and energy to do more. In addition to a pride festival, OutCT has planned an art exhibit, film series, educational forums, drag shows, and a youth program.  Youth Resources