Local and national LGBTQIA+ resources for youth and parents 

Photo above by Raphael Renter used by permission via Unsplash.

In the Pittsburgh region and nationwide, there are a growing number of organizations offering information, support and community to LGBTQ families. Here is a directory of local and nationally available resources:

Local Resources

Persad Center: Persad Center is a human service organization whose mission is to improve the well-being of the LGBTQ communities and the HIV/AIDS communities. Persad serves its target populations and their loved ones across Western Pennsylvania, with service centers in Pittsburgh and Washington, PA.

PGH Equality Center: The PGH Equality Center serves as a bridge that promotes education, advocacy, and social justice for all LGBTQIA+ people and allies in Western Pennsylvania. Their youth program offers a teen book club.

Gay For Good (G4G) Pittsburgh: Gay For Good facilitates service projects and mobilizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion, and strengthen ties to the broader community. Offers monthly events and volunteer opportunities.

PFLAG: The Pittsburgh chapter of PFLAG provides peer-to-peer support, educates people on the issues that are important to the community, and advocates for inclusive policies and law.

Dreams of Hope: A member of the Pride Youth Theatre Alliance, Dreams of Hope is part of a growing national network that advances the practice of queer youth theater by providing leaders in the field with resources and opportunities to exchange, collaborate, and learn.

resolve Crisis Hotline: resolve is a 24-hour, 365-day crisis service that’s free to all Allegheny County residents. Their services are sponsored by both Allegheny County and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. Their walk-in crisis center is located at 333 North Braddock Ave.

SisTersPGH: SisTers PGH is a Black and trans-led non-profit organization that serves QTBIPOC (Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color) trans, and nonbinary people in Southwestern PA.

TransYOUniting: TransYOUniting is a mutual aid non-profit, providing resources to Pittsburgh’s Trans Community. Our organization is made up of trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive people working to better their lives in Pittsburgh.

TrueTPgh: TrueTPgh celebrates queer people of color through creative art, community health, and social activism.

Gender and Sexual Development Program (Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC): The Gender and Sexual Development Program serves gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersexed, and ally (GLBTQIA) and gender-fluid children and youth up to age 26 years, as well as anyone with questions about or who needs support regarding gender and sexual development.

National Resources

GLSEN: Founded by a group of teachers in 1990, GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ (lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.

Safe Schools Coalition: Provides excellent recommended reading for both parents and children. Examples of a few titles are Transgender Children and Youth: Understanding the Basics (geared towards parents) and Coming Out: Living Authentically as Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual+ and What You Should Know Before You Come Out To Your Parents (meant for a younger audience).

Point Foundation: Point seeks to build community and springboard a new generation of LGBTQ leaders toward success through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training. Point is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit.

The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat or call anytime to reach a trained counselor.

National Center for Transgender Equality: NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who recognized the urgent need for policy change to advance transgender equality. Backed by an extensive record of winning life-saving change for transgender people, their mission is to provide a powerful transgender advocacy presence in Washington, DC.

GSA Network: GSA Network is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.