Please feel free to email teen@nileslibrary.org if you'd like a more personalized list of resources from our teen librarians, or if you just need to talk to an adult who cares.
It's no secret that growing up LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual) in a culture that promotes heterosexuality as the "normal" sexual orientation isn't easy. Unfortunately those closest to us (family, friends, classmates, etc.) can be homophobic towards non-heterosexual people whose identities don't reflect their own. Homophobia refers to values and behavior which express a fear and loathing of LGBTQIA people, and can result in any action, attitude, or behavior that discriminates against or unfairly limits LGBTQIA people because of their sexuality.
Fear or hatred of LGBTQIA people isn't just a personal problem. It's promoted institutionally when government, business, religious spaces and other organizations discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. These organizations set policies, allocate resources and maintain unwritten standards for the behavior of their members or constituents which discriminate.
It's also promoted culturally when social standards and norms are reinforced each day in television shows, movies and print advertisements where virtually every character is heterosexual and every sexual and social relationship involves a female and a male, or in the assumption made by most adults that all children will eventually be attracted to and marry a person of the opposite sex. This results in LGBTQIA people feeling like outsiders in society.
We're here to tell you that you're not an outsider and we're glad you exist.
If you're an LGBTQIA teenager struggling with your mental health, physical safety, or feeling alone, please know that you are not alone and there are always ways to get help. Your experiences are valid and shared by others. Even though discrimination based on sexual orientation is a huge issue, there are even bigger networks of people out there fighting homophobia on a systemic and individual scale. Below you'll find a variety of resources created for LGBTQIA teens by those networks.
Websites:
The Trevor Project: Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
Need help? We are here for you 24/7: 1-866-488-7386
Visit their Get Help Now page for text and live chat options.
Q Chat Space is a digital LGBTQ+ center where teens ages 13 to 19 join live-chat, professionally facilitated, online support groups. There is no video or audio and everyone is chatting during the same pre-scheduled time.
Explore their Upcoming Groups page to see what topics are being discussed in the near future. All chats last 1.5 hours.
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
Check out their Tips for Allies of Transgender People page.
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
Every day GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together, we can transform our nation’s K-12 schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
Check our their page of Student and GSA Resources.
Genderqueer and Non-Binary Identities
The aim of Genderqueer and Non-Binary Identities is to provide awareness, information, and resources for genderqueer, non-binary, questioning, and gender non-conforming people and their allies.
Please submit anything you think would be of interest to GQID, from recommended links and books to stories of personal identity, on their Submissions page.
The Advocate is an American LGBT-interest magazine, printed bi-monthly, and a website. Both magazine and website have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people.
This network trains youth leaders, supports youth organizing, and builds the GSA movement. GSA clubs, or GSAs for short, are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities.
Check out their Take Action tab to learn how you can start your own GSA.
COLAGErs are people with one or more LGBTQIA+ parent or caregiver—they are skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities. Our stories are important, and so is yours.
Check out their Resources page for a number of book, video, and article recommendations.
The HRC advocates for LGBTQIA civil rights.
Check out their Resources for LGBTQIA Community Amidst COVID-19 page.
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. They are committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
Check out their Make My Voice Heard page to see what you can do to take action.
The It Gets Better Project inspires people across the globe to share their stories and remind the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth that hope is out there, and it will get better.
Watch an endless stream of inspiring stories shared by people just like you on their Stories page.
Support Hotlines:
LGBT National Youth Hotline
Free and confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger.
LGBT National HotlineThe LGBT National Hotline (all ages)
We provide a safe space that is anonymous and confidential where callers can speak on many different issues and concerns including, but limited to, coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide, and much more.
True Colors United
True Colors focuses on supporting homeless youth. They have a hotline, but you can also reach out to them for other resources.
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis.
Teen Line
If you have a problem or just want to talk with another teen who understands, then this is the right place for you!
Ebooks and Audiobooks:
This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
Lesbian. Bisexual. Queer. Transgender. Straight. Curious. This book is for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. This book is for anyone who's ever dared to wonder. This book is for YOU.
Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge, Marke Bieschke
Teen life is hard enough with all of the pressures kids face, but for teens who are LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender), it's even harder. When do you decide to come out? To whom? Will your friends accept you? And how on earth do you meet people to date? Queer is a humorous, engaging, and honest guide that helps LGBT teens come out to friends and family, navigate their new LGBT social life, figure out if a crush is also queer, and rise up against bigotry and homophobia.
It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living by Dan Savage
This is a collection of expanded essays and new material from celebrities and everyday people who have posted videos of encouragement, as well as new contributors. We can show LGBT youth the happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will have if they can get through their teen years. "It Gets Better" reminds teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone--and it WILL get better.
Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution by Susan Stryker
Covering American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today, Transgender History takes a chronological approach to the subject of transgender history, with each chapter covering major movements, writings, and events.
How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones
Haunted and haunting, How We Fight for Our Lives is a stunning coming-of-age memoir. Jones tells the story of a young, black, gay man from the South as he fights to carve out a place for himself, within his family, within his country, within his own hopes, desires, and fears.
Podcasts:
What was your coming out story? For those of us still writing ours, Mo Welch’s show is a helpful guide to all kinds of LGBTQ growing pains. In each episode, her quests opens up about their own experience growing up, and it’s proof that we all have similar struggles even when our lives and identities are so unique.
Encouraging the next generation of Queer Youth from across the world to stand up for what’s right!
Queer history podcast covering content from around the world and throughout time.
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