LGBT Resources
Links on this page come from recommendations or viewer input. If you have a link to add please email it to links@opalga.org
Coming Out
- www.hrc.org/comingout/
Do you have questions about the coming out journey? The Human Rights Campaign has a set of resources to help you along the way.
Coming Out To Parents
- www.outproud.org/brochure_coming_out.html
The purpose of this is to inform gay and lesbian young adults about the process most parents go through when their child's homosexual orientation is disclosed. The process assumes that you have wrestled with the issue of whether or not to come out to your parents and that your decision is affirmative. The approach and suggestions offered in the are based on the assumption that you suspect one or both of your parents will be understanding, if not supportive, given adequate time. - www.pflag.org/Frequently_Asked_Questions.comingout_faq.0.html
Getting support coming out from frequently asked question provided by Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)
Communities of Color
- www.gapsn.org
The mission of Gay Asian Pacific Support Network (GAPSN) is to provide supportive environments for gay and bisexual Asian Pacific Islander men to meet, network, voice concerns, foster self-empowerment, and to advocate on issues of significance to the gay Asian Pacific Islander community. - www.glas.org/ahbab
For almost a decade, the Gay and Lesbian Arab Society (GLAS) has been doing outreach and advocacy work serving the Arab LGBT community worldwide. Our web site has reached millions worldwide and has provided a virtual network and family for many.
Community Centers
- www.centeronhalsted.org
Center on Halsted will be a focal point for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of Chicago, serving the community's diverse social, recreational, cultural, and social service needs.
Education - Support
- www.glsen.org
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, now in its 10th year, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students. - www.mgroupchicago.org
MGroup is a Chicago area support group for married [to women] gay and bisexual men, including those who are working to preserve their marriage and those who are in the process of separation or divorce. Age is not a factor. Members of the group range in age from the 20's to the 70's. - www.safeschoolscoalition.org
The mission of The Safe Schools Coalition: An International Public-Private Partnership in Support of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth is to help schools - at home and all over the world - become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Families and Parenting
- www.colage.org
Children of Lesbian and Gay Everywhere (COLAGE) engages, connects, and empowers people to make the world a better place for children of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender parents and families. - www.ssgservices.com/RainbowFamiliesIllinois/index.htm
Rainbow Families of Illinois is a non-profit, community-based organization that includes lesbian and gay parents and their children and those considering parenthood. Their mission is to build and maintain a strong and caring community, recognizing the broad diversity and varied interests among our families. - www.pflag.org
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States. - www.rainbowrumpus.org
An online magazine for children with LGBT parents.
Hearing Impaired
- www.deafqueer.org
The Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC) is a national nonprofit resource and information center for, by and about the Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex and Questioning communities. This is "the place" to find the most comprehensive and accurate information about this unique community.
HIV and AIDS
- www.idph.state.il.us/aids/default.htm
Illinois Department of Health information web site section that addresses HIV and AIDS and provides additional resources.
Illinois HIV/STD Hotline 1-800-243-2437 (TTY 800-782-0423)
AIDS Hotline for Teens 1-800-234-TEEN
HIV/STD Testing Clinics - Many of these testing programs are free
Cook County Department of Public Health HIV Program (708) 492-2190
Oak Park Health Department (708) 358-5483
Chicago Department of Health HIV Program (312) 747-9865
National STD Information / Referral Line 1-800-227-8922
Legal
- www.aclu.org
The American Civil Liberties Union works in part to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor. - www.lambdalegal.org
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
National Help Center
- www.glnh.org
The GLBT National Help Center is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. We are an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian National Hotline, which began in 1996 and now is a primary program of the GLBT National Help Center.
Gay and Lesbian National Hotline 1-888-843-4564
Newspaper/Media (Local)
- www.chicagofreepress.com
The Chicago Free Press, a Rainbow Media Publication, is aimed at an urban gay and lesbian audience. CFP covers gay life today - with news, analysis, commentary, health, business, auto, travel, real estate, entertainment and photography. - www.gaychicagomag.com
Gay Chicago Magazine. - windycitytimes.com
Windy City Media Group produces Windy City Radio, and publishes Windy City Times, The Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community, Nightspots, Out! Resource Guide, and Identity. - www.wednesdayjournalonline.com
The Wednesday Journal Of Oak Park and River Forest is published weekly and provides local coverage of the Oak Park area.
Newspaper/Media (National)
- www.advocate.com
The Advocate is America's leading gay news and entertainment magazine. It reports on the people, events, and experiences that impact the lives of gay men and lesbians across the country. - www.planetout.com
PlanetOut Inc. is a leading global online media company offering consumer services, news and entertainment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Political
- www.equalityillinois.org
Equality Illinois' mission is to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the state of Illinois. - www.glaad.org
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. - www.hrc.org
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. - www.logcabin.org
Log Cabin Republicans courageously stand on the front lines of today's most important battleground for gay and lesbian civil rights. We are the nation's leading voice for fairness, inclusion, and tolerance in the GOP. - www.thetaskforce.org
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. ("NGLTF, Inc."), founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. - www.stonewalldemocrats.org
The National Stonewall Democrats is a grassroots network connecting LGBT Democratic activists. With more than 90 chapters across the country, Stonewall is a grassroots force for social change within our movement and within our party. Our members do the hard work of calling voters, putting together campaign mailings, going door-to-door for our fair-minded candidates and having tough conversations with Democratic party officials about why our families need and deserve more support from our party and its elected officials.
Queer Youth
- www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.html
Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation & Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel. - www.outproud.org
The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth invite youth to take advantage of the wide range of resources available for both youth and educators. - www.thetrevorproject.org
The Trevor Helpline is the only national 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention hot line aimed at gay and questioning youth. It is geared toward helping those in crisis, or those wanting information on how to help someone in crisis. Calls are handled by highly trained counselors and are free and confidential.
Trevor Project Gay and Lesbian Hotline 1-866-488-7386. - www.younggayamerica.com
YGA (Young Gay America) is the mainstream voice for the new demographic of Gay & Lesbian teens/twenty-somethings, estimated to be 2.7 million in USA. Based on the award-winning resource website, its magazine is filled with typical teen/youth content like fashion, photos, profiles, interviews, advice, games, reviews, and goofy fun. - www.youthresource.com
YouthResource is a website by and for LGBTQ young people and takes a holistic approach to sexual health and exploring issues of concern to LGBTQ youth.
Religious Organizations
- www.dignityusa.org
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support. - www.integrityusa.org
A witness of God's inclusive love to the Episcopal Church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. - www.soulforce.org
The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. - www.welcomingcongregations.org
Our ministry dedicates itself to the full equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersexed and questioning people seeking spiritual home. Through arms of education and advocacy, we reach out in support and affirmation acknowledging the image of our loving Creator in every person.
Transgender
- www.transproud.com
TransProud is OutProud's home on the web for transgender youth, and includes resources, support, referrals and more. - www.ifge.org
IFGE advocates for freedom of gender expression. We promote the understanding and acceptance of All People: Transgender, Transsexual, Crossdresser, Agender, Gender Queer, Intersex, Two Spirit, Drag King, Drag Queen, Queer, Straight, Butch, Femme, Homosexual, Bisexual, Heterosexual, and of course - You! - www.genderadvocates.org
The vision of Illinois Gender Advocates is to create a community that celebrates the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless gender identity or gender expression. - www.gpac.org
The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) works to ensure that children can reach their potential without barriers imposed by stereotypes, every person has an equal chance to pursue their career and succeed in the workplace without discrimination, and schools and communities are safe places to learn, grow, and succeed.
