Resources

The following are resources for transgender and gender diverse youth, as well as their parents, caregivers, and other supporters. Resources are primarily Ohio-serving or national organizations. Inclusion of a resource does not indicate an endorsement.

Ohio-Based LGBTQ+ Centers & Organizations

LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland: Based in the Greater Cleveland area, this center wishes to educate people on different LGBTQIA+ subjects, such as pronouns, identity terms and other resources.

Colors+ Youth Center (Cleveland): Resources containing counseling assistance, in person and virtual events, as well as access to various different programs to take part in.

Transgender Community of Greater Cincinnati: Facebook page outlining current trans-specific events in the Greater Cincinnati

Kaleidoscope Youth Center (Columbus): Based in Central Columbus, Kaleidoscope offers a variety of programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, such as a safe space to hang out, peer discussion groups, financial literacy courses, and movie nights with pizza. They also have a group that meets monthly for guardians/caregivers of LGBTQIA+ youth.

Mozaic (Columbus): Mozaic is a Columbus based community center serving the BIPOC transgender, gender-expansive, and nonbinary communities in Ohio. They offer a community space, clothing closet, and support to anyone who needs it.

Greater Dayton LGBT Center: Dayton based center that “strives to offer a comprehensive, community-based service organization to the gender and sexual minorities of the Dayton and Miami Valley area by providing event spaces, activities, and resources that encourage advocacy, education, and entertainment.” The website also includes a list of LGBT+ friendly businesses in the Greater Dayton area.

Have a Gay Day (Dayton): Community Space in Dayton that offers a lending library, resource wall, and a community forum space. They also have a variety of other resources,such as a food pantry, pet food pantry, emergency housing, personal care items, and seasonal items (i.e., fans or blankets).

LGBT+ Spectrum of Findlay: Resources for LGBT+ individuals and families in Findlay, including support groups and wellness classes.

LGBT+ Lorain County: Resources for LGBT+ individuals and families in Lorain County, including Safe zone training.

Love on A Mission (Mansfield): Resources for LGBT+ youth and their families in Mansfield, including support groups and volunteer opportunities.

Full Spectrum Community Outreach Center (Mahoning Valley): Resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and families, including support groups, training, and a community closet/pantry. The center is located in Youngstown, OH, and directly serves Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties.

OutSupport (Medina): OutSupport strives to offer connection and support for LGBTQ+ people and allies in Ohio, specifically Northeast Ohio, sharing resources, community events, and current news.

Equality Toledo: Equality Toledo is an education based group offering training to organizations on a variety of LGBTQ+ topics. Beyond education, the center offers community support through scholarships, a community pantry, and resource guides.

TransOhio (Statewide): TransOhio’s mission is to serve “Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support, and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community.” Important programs they offer include emergency funds, legal clinics, and the TransOhio Zine.

Northeast Ohio LGBT Community Events Group: A Public Facebook group sharing information about LGBT+ events in Northeast Ohio.

Visible & Resilient For LGBTQ+ Youth (Montgomery County): Visible and Resilient in Community and Health (or V&R) is a “prevention education services project focused on promoting health equity, personal agency, autonomy, and increasing access to resources for Q+ youth and families in Montgomery County, Ohio.” Along with educational programming for schools and community, V&R offers resources and events for LGBTQ+ youth in Montgomery County.

Daybreak Dayton: Daybreak Dayton is an organization dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness. Their program serving LGBTQ+ youth, David’s Place, offers “a safe and inclusive environment, LGBTQ+ resources and support, and entry into all other Daybreak services.”

Teen Pride Network (Akron): A collaborative project between PFLAG Akron, CANAPI, GLSEN N.E. Ohio, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, the Teen Pride Network connects LGBTQ+ youth with safe places as well as healthy and engaging activities.

CANAPI (Akron): The Community Aids Network Akron Pride Initiative (or CANAPI) offers a wide variety of programs, including HIV testing, a food pantry, housing assistance, and PrEP & PEP.

LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County: A Pride group serving Lake county through educational programming, resource guides, support groups, and Pride.

Geauga SOGI Support Network: A Pride group serving Geauga county through training and support groups for youth and adults.

Equitas Health: With centers across Ohio, Equitas Health strives to offer affirming, accessible, and comprehensive healthcare to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, and classes. Part of their comprehensive approach to care includes offering a variety of support groups in person and online.

Margie’s Hope (Akron & Cleveland): Margie’s hope is focused on supporting Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive people in their community. Their programs include, support groups, community events, and an affirming undergarment program.

Gatlyn Dame Group (Dayton): The group serves transgender and gender non-conforming people and their allies, offering programs like support groups, referral services, and community events.

Find your PFLAG Chapter: PFLAG is a national organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families, and you can use this link to find the chapter nearest to you.

Regional Resource Guides

Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County: LGBTQ+ Health Alliance

Darke County LGBTQ+ Community Guide: A resource guide for Greenville and Dark County’s LGBT+ community.

Community Aids Network Akron Pride Initiative

Safe and Supported A Project Lighthouse Youth Services Resource Guide: For LGBTQ+ youth, families, and providers in and around Cincinnati.

Gender Affirming Apparel & Self-Care

Transform: Based in Cincinnati, Transform provides free clothes for transgender and gender non conforming youth.

Margie’s Closet: Based in Lakewood, Ohio, this trans-owned resale store offers need-based financial assistance and free binders.

Full Spectrum - Closet of Change: Based in Youngstown, Ohio, this organization provides wigs, makeup, clothing, food, and more to trans youth in need.

Closet TRANSformation: Based in Dayton, Closet TRANSformation is a free clothing exchange based closet where all LGBTQ+ people can explore their gender identity and expression.

Trans Essentials: Available across the country, Trans Essentials hosts a free youth binder program for individuals under age 24.

Strands for Trans: Network of Trans safe and positive salons and barber shops

Legal & Advocacy

Education & Advocacy:

Equality Ohio: Equality Ohio is an LGBTQ+ advocacy and legal aid organization with five main departments: a free legal clinic, a policy team, a community organizing team, a communication team, and a development team. The website is a hub of information on state policy and legal issues.

National Center for Transgender Equality: NCTE works at the local, state, and federal levels to change laws, policies and society by challenging anti-trans legislation, helping trans people navigate legal systems, and organizing community action.

Outright International: “Outright International works with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ human rights movement, document and amplify human rights violations, and advocate for inclusion and equality.”

ACLU: Know Your Rights: The ACLU and GLSEN have put together a guide for transgender and gender nonconforming students to help ensure access to their rights to be themselves within a safe school environment.

Harvard Law School: LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic: The Harvard Law School: LGBTQ+ Advocacy Center along with the National Center for Lesbian Rights put together a Trans Youth Legal Handbook. They describe the handbook as “a legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across such a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work.”

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Center: The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Center says that they are “committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.”

Transgender Law Center: The Transgender Law Center’s mission is to “change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.”

Changing Your Name & Gender Marker:

National Center for Transgender Equality: The Ohio ID Documents Center page linked here has information on name changing laws, drivers license policy and procedures, and birth certificate laws.

Equitas Health: Equitas Health has a gender marker and name changing guide linked here with information for adults and minors as well as information on procedures by county.

LAMBDA Legal: LAMBDA Legal has a collection of information on identity documents, including frequently asked questions and state-by-state guidelines.

Health

Education:

Vocal Congruence Project: A collection of free resources about gender-affirming voice and communication training as well as a provider map to connect with trainers in your area.

Article on Health Insurance for Vulnerable Youth: The article covers information on health insurance for vulnerable, at-risk, and homeless youth such as what care is available, how to access support for navigating systems, and what insurance can cover.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) LGBT Support Resource Page: This LGBTQ+ specific page by NAMI discusses unique risk factors for the community, inadequacies in current mental health systems, how queer people can find the right mental health provider, and other useful resources.

216 Teens: 216 Teens is a website created to answer Cuyahoga County’s teens questions on sexual and reproductive health. The website covers a range of topics including LGBTQ+ terms, gender identity and sexuality, and navigating coming out.

Amaze: Amaze takes the awkward out of sex ed by creating free animated videos for all ages in several languages giving youth answers to their questions as well as supporting parents and educators in answering those questions.

44 Self-Esteem Resources for Nonbinary Adolescents and Teens: This is a list of self-esteem resources for non-binary youth including articles, podcasts, and activities as well as physician and clinician specific resources.

For Providers:

World Professional Association for Transgender Health: WPATH puts out the standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people.

Ohio Providers (Non-Exhaustive List)

Akron Children's Center for Gender Affirming Medicine: Akron Children’s Adolescent Medicine program includes the Center for Gender Affirming Medicine for transgender and LGBTQ+ youth; The Center’s team includes gender-affirming physicians, a medical assistant, social worker, nurse coordinator, psychologist, and endocrinologist.

Cincinnati Children’s Living With Change Center: The Living with Change Center serves transgender patients 5-24 years old.

Cleveland Clinic’s Center for LGBTQ+ Care: Cleveland Clinic’s Lakewood Family Center houses the Center for LGBTQ+ Care. The Center offers inclusive primary care and specialty services as well as LGBTQ+ specific services.

MetroHealth LGBTQ+ Pride Network: The Pride Network serves health needs across the lifespan for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Along with primary care services for all ages, they provide transition care including gender care for youth.

Bellefaire JCB Counseling and Community Services: Bellefaire JCB is a Cleveland based counseling service offering several programs including counseling and community services like outpatient counseling, psychiatry, school-based counseling, after school groups, and in-home family therapy. Bellefaire JCB also runs a Mobile Response Stabilization Services or MRSS; MRSS free services include a 24/7 crisis line and in person crisis assistance at your home within 60 minutes for families in Cuyahoga County with children ages 2-20. MRSS can be reached at 888-418-6777

Hotlines & Chat Spaces

Trans Lifeline: The Trans Lifeline Hotline offers peer support for members of the trans community and questioning peers who need someone trans to talk to through crisis or in general. The hotline’s services are available in English and Spanish. Call 877-565-8860 for support.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: As stated on the website, “the 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.” The lifeline’s page also has links to specific resources for different groups and experiences, including the LGBTQ+ community. The lifeline’s services are available in English, ASL, and Spanish. Text 988 for support or use the link below to find out how to connect with someone.

Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ youth): LGBTQ+ youth can connect with a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S via text, chat, or phone. Call 1-866-488-7386 for support or use the link below to start a chat or reach out via text.

Q-Chat Space: Q-Chat Space offers a live, professionally facilitated online chat space where LGBTQ+ teens (ages 13-19) can connect with peers.

Resources for Caregivers & Supporters of Trans Youth

Adjusting to New Pronouns Guide: A quick list of suggestions to help people adjust to using new pronouns for people in their life.

Family Acceptance Project: In awareness of the importance family acceptance plays in the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, the family acceptance project’s website offers resources to help parents and caregivers access accurate information about their children’s sexual orientation and gender identity. Moreover, the site works to connect youth and their family to supportive local and national resources that validate diverse identities.

Gender Born, Gender Made: A book for caregivers as well as professionals on caring for and working with gender-nonconforming children. Whether discussing the broad philosophical dilemmas or practical, daily concerns, the book offers guidance on giving all children the support they need to thrive.

Freed Hearts: A resource for Christian parents, communities, and professionals working to support and care for LGBTQ+ Youth. Freed Hearts focus is on education and connection offering podcasts, video courses, virtual community spaces, and more.

Answers to Your Questions: About Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression: A brief guide from the American Psychological Association answering frequently asked questions around gender identity and trans people.

Resources for Trans Youth

TransYouth Family Allies: TYFA offers resources and support to individuals, professionals, and organizations that want to ally themselves with trans youth and their families.

Trans Youth Equality Foundation: TYEF advocates for transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary and intersex youth ages 2–18 by sharing resources and offering support services including book lists, training, and youth retreats.

GLSEN: GLSEN is a national network of educators, students, and local chapters working to ensure LGBTQ+ inclusive and safe K-12 education; key resources from the org include information on educator development, comprehensive policies, inclusive curriculum, and supporting GSAs.

It Gets Better Project: As explained by the org, “It Gets Better aims to connect with LGBTQ+ youth before they experience crisis, connecting them to community and equipping them with the language, tools and resources they need to better navigate adolescence and their unique sexual orientation and/or gender identity journey.”

Gender Diversity: Gender Diversity strives to improve the well-being of children and adults of all gender identities and expression offering education and resources - like webinars, toolkits, and consultations - to organizations and programs.

Gender Spectrum: Gender Spectrum works to help families, organizations, and institutions better understand gender with books, resource lists, and explanations of relevant concepts.

Advocates for Youth: Advocates for Youth is a collection of young people and adult allies championing youth's right to bodily autonomy through education, programming, and community organizing. Linked below are their LGBTQ+ specific initiatives.

Trans Athlete: TransAthlete is a collection of information on trans inclusion in sports in Canada and the United States at all levels. They also offer consulting services and free webinars to support people taking action.

Trans Mentor Project: The Trans Mentor Project describes itself as “a national virtual mentoring program that pairs trans/nonbinary mentees with trans/nonbinary adult mentors.”

Campus Pride: Campus Pride collects information about colleges and universities' inclusive policies and history with LGBTQ+ matters, to help teens select a safe and affirming school.

Other Educational Resources

Trans Muslim Youth Resource Guide: As explained within the guide, “the goal of this resource is to validate, support and guide young Muslims trying to understand their gender identity, as well as answer the questions [they] might have about gender, religion, sexual health and sexuality.”

Welcoming Schools Book Lists: The Human Rights Campaigns Welcoming Schools program offers diverse book recommendations for different groups including elementary students, secondary students, parents, and educators.

The Gender Book: An illustrated guide to gender 101 with essential pages available for free online.

Find Center for LGBT+ Community: Find Center is a collection of resources meant to support individual learning and development. Linked here are their collections centered on LGBTQ+ identities and experiences.

Point of Pride: History of the Transgender Flag: A brief overview of Trans flags creation, creator, and other flags that have been used to represent the trans community.