LGBTQ RESOURCES DIRECTORY

GROUPS

Bryant's Bridge LGBT Youth Transition Home When a young person comes out to their family most often they are not met with complete acceptance. They are met with a range of responses. Sometimes the family completely abandons the youth, often for years. This gap of time is when LGBT youth find themselves with no one to turn to. Sometimes they have nowhere to live and nowhere to go. We lose so many in that gap to addiction, disruptive behavior and suicide. Bryant's Bridge has a place for you to fit in and receive help. We will provide you with housing, healthcare referral, mental health and substance abuse counseling referral, college support, and mentoring programs. Bryant's Bridge is a 501c3 nonprofit. We are opening our first house January in 2021. Email us for information or to learn how you can be a partner of Bryant's Bridge. 865-300-1584  Email  @bryantsbridge 

GLSEN Tennessee GLSEN Middle Tennessee envisions a world in which every child learns to accept and respect all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. 615-669-6744 

Knoxville Queer Youth + Allies  (KQYA) Hosting events and building community. By youth. For youth. Email   

Voices for LGBTQ+ Youth The mission of this group is to make Knox County Schools safer and more supportive for LGBTQ students. Issues that need support are: 1. Changes to KCS district policy to combat anti-LGBT bullying, and to require gender-affirming treatment & restroom access for transgender students. 2. Teacher outreach & education on LGBT issues/needs. 3. Visibility for issues related to trans youth, including community engagement & education. 4. General awesomeness.  

Youth WINS (When In Need of Support) is a multi-funded program working with unaccompanied youth between the ages of l8 – 22 (age extended to 24)  who are struggling with housing insecurities or homelessness. Our Youth Advisors work diligently to assist youth (including those who are still in High School) to find stable housing and connect them to community resources for education, employment, and job training. These services help youth achieve stability and safety as they move on a path to self-sufficiency and sustainable life style. (When speaking to the director of this program recently, she explained that many lgbtq youth are homeless.) Call for assistance or to learn more. Monday-Friday 8am-4:45pm Call 865-546-3500 

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Youth WINS sponsors a Youth Advisory Board (YAB). YAB is a youth-driven advisory board that educates and advises community leaders on challenges homeless youth face while creating pathways to eliminate youth homelessness through leadership and empowerment. Monday-Friday 8am-4:45pm Call 865-546-3500 

Acceptance Association Acceptance Association in a grassroots effort to provide resources to lgbtqia youth & their supporters. Our focus is the youth of Appalachian states beginning in Tennessee.  We are currently targeting areas that have less lgbtqia youth resources, specifically the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia. Areas typically known as Southern Appalachia. Please follow our Facebook page to learn how to help.  

MARYVILLE TN 

Appalachian OUTReach LGBTQ+ Teen Group. The purpose of Appalachian OUTreach is to reduce the impact that isolation, discrimination, and oppression has on the East Tennessee LGBTQ+ community. Please visit their website to learn more about this group's meetings. Email (865) 268-9098 Email Appalachian OUTReach 

NATIONAL

PARENTS

Mama Bears Real Mama Bears Supporting, Educating, Empowering Moms of LGBTQ Kids and the LGBTQ Community Email Real Mama Bears @RealMamaBears

Serendipitydodah is committed to making the world a kinder, safer, more loving place for all lgbtq+ Email Liz SUPPORT Liz Dyer Creating groups, projects, resources & sites for Moms of LGBTQ kids.

NATIONAL GROUPS

Gay-Straight Alliances GSA organizing is making schools safer, changing communities, and building power for the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth. 

Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. 

Matthew's Place words by and for lgbtq+ youth. Part of the Matthew Shepard Foundation's efforts to advocate for youth with sharing of stories related to News, Culture, Activism, Self Care, lgbtq A to Z, lgbtq+ symbols and Coming Out. 

The Trevor Project Teen Depression Help For LGBTQ+ A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. (866) 488-7386 

Talkline GLBT National Help Center Toll-free 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743) HOURS: M-F 4pm -12am Sat from 12pm- 5pm Email

COLAGE unites people with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and/or asexual parent into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities. Email

EVENTS

YOUTH PRIDE FEST Youth Pride Fest is a day to celebrate the diversity of all youth. Our goal is to celebrate and support LGBTQ Youth and their Friends and Allies. All middle and high school age youth are invited. No registration necessary. Come ready to have fun and make new friends! First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, TN Email May 7, 2022