Resources
The Help You Need
Crisis Support
- The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
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- We’re Here for You
- If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate crisis support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S via text, chat, or phone. The Trevor Project is 100% confidential and 100% free.
- We’re Here for You
- Call 866-488-7386
- Text “START” to 678678
- Call 877-565-8860
- Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org)
- Dial 988
- LGBTQI+ people under 25 can access affirming support via the 988 Lifeline by calling 988 and pressing #3. People can also text the word “PRIDE” to 988 or check off the LGBTQI+ box in the pre-chat survey to be connected to a counselor to receive needed support.
Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)
- They also have an online chat feature available. Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Highly trained, experienced advocates offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in over 170 languages.
Pride Institute | LGBTQ+ Addiction Treatment | Minneapolis, MN (pride-institute.com)]
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24/7 Call 800-547-7433
- Chemical dependency/mental health referral and information hotline for the LGBTQ community.
RAINN | The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization
- 800- 656-HOPE / 800 810-7440 (TTY)
- The nation’s largest organization fighting sexual violence, RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Community and National Organizations and Resources
PFLAG Chapters in Northern IL and PFLAG Virtual Resources
PFLAG Geneva/Tri-Cities is part of the PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois
- PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois is a coalition of 17 PFLAG chapters in the state. We work together to accomplish more than we could acting individually. You may attend meetings of any PFLAG chapter, and you never have to be a member to attend. Please find our Council chapters here to explore more meeting possibilities. We encourage you to participate in any chapter that suits your schedule and needs. Each chapter provides a unique opportunity to connect, support, and advocate within your community.
PFLAG National Chapter Hybrid and Virtual Meetings
- PFLAG National has over 35o Chapters, many of which offer hybrid and virtual meetings. You don’t have to be a member to participate in any PFLAG chapter meeting. If you’re interested in attending more than one meeting a month, be sure to explore the options available through the Virtual PFLAG meetings.
- PFLAG Connects: Communities (PCC) provide a safe, virtual, moderated space where people with shared experiences can connect each month. PFLAG National’s current communities gather people of Latino, Black/African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds—as well as military families (in partnership with our friends at the Modern Military Association of America [MMAA]), families with gender-diverse loved ones, grandparents and a dad group—to gain support, ask questions, and learn from others who have been through similar experiences. These meetings cater primarily to family members of LGBTQ+ people, and also welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community.
PFLAG National Online Community
- As the first and largest organization for parents, families, and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, we’re here to provide loving support and critical resources.
Community Organizations and Resources
Belong: Fox Valley – Where Everyone has a Place
- Belong: Fox Valley is a grassroots organization working to make the Fox Valley, Illinois and the surrounding communities inclusive and affirming spaces that celebrate the diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions of our community members. They provide a weekly Youth Drop-In, monthly Social Gatherings, and so much more!
- Established in 1998, Youth Outlook is the first and longest-running social service agency in Illinois solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth. We work in seven counties in northern Illinois, offering drop-in centers for youth, caregiver, and parent support, plus community education and professional development.
Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois
- TJLP provides Legal Assistance, including help with name changes and legal assistance that prioritizes Community Care.
- Name Change Mobilization
- We want to help as many people as possible legally change their names as a part of our long-term goal of gender self-determination for all, free of government limitation.
- Name Change Resources
- Updating your Gender Marker
- Name Change Mobilization
Illinois Department of Human Rights
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
Illinois State Board of Elections
- The List is a Chicagoland-based collection of resources for Trans and Gender Nonconforming folx and those who support them.
- The City of Aurora’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Advisory Board
- Email: [email protected]
The Liam Foundation – Rockford, IL
- We shine our LGBTQ+ pride at various social events throughout Chicago’s N/W suburbs. Our mission is to have fun and strengthen our community, connect, network, and to be seen and represented.
National Organizations and Resources
Advocates for Trans Equality(A4TE
Advocates for Trans Equality fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America. Leveraging decades of experience on the frontlines of power, we shift government and society towards a future where we are no less than equal.
- National Listing of LGBTQ+ friendly Colleges and Universities
- Gender Spectrum’s mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. To accomplish this, we help families, organizations, and institutions increase their understanding of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us.
- Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to protect all that has been accomplished and helps create a world where everyone can live the life they love.
- As GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, we knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, we believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
- By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
- Lambda Legal Help Desk
- Lambda Legal’s Help desk is a resource for the community we serve in providing general legal information and resources relating to discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and HIV status.
Movement Advancement Project (MAP)
- We work to create a thriving, inclusive, and equitable America where all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life.
National Center for Transgender Equality
- Today, NCTE is a team of hard-working staff members supported by a nationwide community of transgender people, allies, and advocates with an extensive record of winning life-saving change for transgender people.
- The National LGBTQ Task Force builds power, takes action, and creates change to achieve freedom, justice, and equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
- PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.
- Banned in the USA: Beyond the Shelves
- Title IX Ensures Every Student Is Safe and Supported at School
Sage Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
- SAGE stands proudly with the LGBTQ+ pioneers across the country who’ve been fighting for decades for their right to live with dignity and respect.
- LGBTQ affirming hair salons/stylists nationwide
The Savvy Ally Handout Resources
Trans Youth Equality Foundation
- The Trans Youth Equality Foundation provides education, advocacy and support for transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming children and youth and their families. Our mission is to share information about the unique needs of this community, partnering with families, educators and service providers to help foster a healthy, caring, and safe environment for all children we serve.
- The Transgender Law Center is the largest American transgender-led civil rights organization in the United States.
*DISCLAIMER: These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by PFLAG Geneva/Tri-Cities of any of the products, services or opinions expressed on external sites. PFLAG Geneva/Tri-Cities bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of external sites or for that of subsequent links.*