Resources for LGBTQ Youth
Being a youth or young adult struggling with homelessness and housing instability isn’t easy, and being a member of the LGBTQ community, which often faces housing and employment discrimination and other challenges, may add to this struggle. 25% of literally homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, and one in every five transgender individuals struggle with homelessness at some point in their lives. Their struggle is often unique in that their loss of housing may be the result of LGBTQ discrimination by their family, and Trans individuals often face the additional barrier within the homeless system because of gender-specific housing.
Here are Some Organizations and Resources for You:
Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition
The Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition aims to advocate for Transgender rights and resources and provide information to the CT Trans population. This resource guide provides information on resources including crisis hotlines, homelessness & shelters, schools, and medical care.
True Colors
True Colors is a non-profit organization that works with social service agencies, schools, and other organizations in the community to ensure that the needs of sexual and gender minority youth are being met and recognized. Their youth services guide offers information on One-on-One mentoring, Youth Leadership Development, a directory of Safe Spaces, and other programs across the state.
Kids in Crisis
Kids in Crisis provides 24-hour support to help children and families resolve conflict. Crisis Counselors work through any situation and meet face-to-face for intervention and assistance. For those who need more than short-term counseling, Kids in Crisis offers the Teen House for adolescents. These homes, complete with a fully-staffed, state-of-the-art medical clinic, provide therapeutic care in a safe, nurturing environment for up to 20 children at any one time. Additionally, Kids in Crisis provides prevention programs throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut.
GLSEN Connecticut
GLSEN Connecticut, an accredited chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Their work includes but is not limited to coordinating Days of Action (Ally Week, Day of Silence); helping Gay-Straight Alliances through their statewide Student Organizing Team and Safe Schools Fund, and making schools safer, healthier learning environments through providing safe space kits and training on LGBT issues in schools for students, faculty and staff.
LGBTQ Student Resources & Support
LGBTQ Student Resources and Support provides awareness and support for LGBTQ youth through a comprehensive resource list for how to handle common hardships, an expanded list of scholarships available for LGBTQ students, interviews with experts in the field, and an array of external support resources.
CollegeMapper
CollegeMapper, a college search database that includes information on LGBT support programs offered at over 600 four year institutions across the country. Students can search schools by geography and six diversity support program categories including LGBT Support. For example, there is 15 four year colleges in CT offering LGBT support programs.