LGBTQ+ Health
What does LGBTQ+ mean?
LGBTQIA+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. These terms are used to describe a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
How To Be An Ally
Be open to learn, listen and educate yourself. Take it upon yourself to learn about LGBTQ+ history, terminology, and the struggles that the community still faces today.
Recognize your privilege. Being privileged doesn't mean that you have not had your fair share of struggles in life. It just means that there are some things you won't ever have to think or worry about just because of the way you were born. Understanding your own privileges can help you empathize with marginalized or oppressed groups.
Don't assume. Don't assume that all of your friends, co-workers, and even housemates are straight. Don't assume someone's gender or pronouns. LGBTQ+ people don't look a particular way and someone's current or previous partner(s) doesn't define their sexuality. Not making assumptions gives people the space they need to be their authentic self and open up to you in their own time.
Think of 'ally' as an action rather than a label. To be an effective ally you need to be willing to be consistent in your support of LGBTQ+ rights and defend LGBTQ+ people against discrimination. Anti-LGBTQ+ comments and jokes are harmful - let your friends, family and co-workers know that as an ally you find them offensive.
Confront your own prejudice and unconscious bias. Being an ally means you will often find that you need to challenge any bias, stereotypes, and assumptions you didn't realize you had. Think about the jokes you make, the pronouns you use and if you wrongly assume someone's partner is of a particular sex or gender just because of the way they look and act. LGBTQ+ prejudices can be subtle and transphobia and biphobia exist even within the LGBTQ+ community. Being a better ally means being open to the idea of being wrong sometimes and being willing to work on it.
Know that language matters. The majority of us respect when someone changes their nickname – accommodating LGBTQ+ people’s names and pronouns are no different. If you are unsure of someone’s pronoun or label, just ask them respectfully. When meeting new people try integrating inclusive language into your regular conversations by using gender neutral terms such as ‘partner’ and keep an eye on any unintentionally offensive language you may use everyday.
Know that you will mess up sometimes. Accidentally assumed someone’s label? Having a conversation about someone who is trans or non-binary, and unintentionally used the wrong pronoun? It happens - don’t panic, apologize, and correct yourself. Likely, the person you are talking to will know that this process of unlearning is new to you and will appreciate your honesty and effort!
*Information from UCL
Terminology
Learn all about LGBTQ+ terminology HERE. Feel free to reference this whenever you encounter a word you don't know or just to learn more about gender and sexuality related terms!
General Resources
LA Gay and Lesbian Center - The LA Gay & Lesbian Center provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year. The Center also offers legal, social, cultural, and educational services, with unique programs for seniors, families and youth, including a 24-bed transitional program for homeless youth. Located at 1625 N. Schrader Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; (323) 993-7400.
LA Gender Center - The Los Angeles Gender Center provides sensitive transsexual counseling and transgender therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling to individuals and groups.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - HRC is a LGBT civil rights organization, and publishes the annual HRC Report Card, which measures how LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations are.
Transgender Health Resources
Crisis Resources
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers. Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or if you’re not sure you’re trans.
LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
Provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. They help youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems, and a lot more
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: 212-714-1141
The AVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within LGBTQ communities.
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
As part of the LGBT national Help Center, they provide a confidential safe space where youth can speak about sexual orientation or gender identity/expression issues
DeHQ: LGBTQ Helpline for South Asians: 908-367-3374
100% confidential support for South Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, non-binary, questioning individuals in the United States. They can help with questions on gender, identity, coming out, dealing with family, culture, or faith, trying to find community in your area, advice for a friend or family member or listening as you work through things