GLYS Western New York, Inc. (Growing LGBTQ+ Youth Support)
Non-profit organization in Buffalo, NY that serves LGBTQ+ youth, ages 5-21, and their support systems across all 8 counties of WNY
Local Resources
The Pride Center of WNY
The Pride Center of Western New York, an affiliate of Evergreen Health, is a Buffalo-based 501(c)3 health promotion organization specializing LGBTQ+ health and HIV prevention to promote the lifelong health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Western New York Chapter
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
Native American Community Services
The Stages of Life Empowerment (SOLE) Program at Native American Community Services (NACS) provides comprehensive sex education throughout the community with a focus on providing life skills during the first stage of life. The programs and workshops that SOLE teaches are medically accurate, comprehensive, and inclusive to the LGBTQ2S+ community. Outside of the Evidence Based Programs, they also have supplemental workshops on topics like Safer Sexting, Healthy Relationships, PrEP 101, and Consent. Two of their workshops, Safer Sex for Queer and Trans Bodies and the Peer Educators' Public Service Announcements were presented at the 2021 GSA Conference in April. This June they are hosting a Virtual Pride Event that will help to provide education around LGBTQ2S+ youth, Two Spirit Experiences and Identities, and Queer History.
Upstate NY Black & Latino Pride
Founded in Buffalo, New York, Upstate New York Black & Latino Pride works to bring intersectionality
Evergreen Health Services
Evergreen is a comprehensive healthcare delivery system that provides medical, supportive and behavioral health services all under one roof and specializes in the health and wellness needs of individuals of transgender and gender non-conforming experience.
Niagara Pride, Inc.
Niagara Pride, Inc. (NP) envisions an LGBTQ+ community in which individuals and families feel safe, secure, and affirmed where they live, work, worship, and play, especially in the Niagara County and surrounding areas. NP strives to be an integrated part of the social fabric of Niagara County.
National Resources
GLAAD: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ+ acceptance: GLAAD works through entertainment, news, and digital media to share stories from the LGBTQ community that accelerate acceptance.
Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, under 25.
24/7 Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678-678
GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
GLSEN is a national organization that works to ensure every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. GLYS WNY is a recognized sub-chapter of GLSEN.
HCR: Human Rights Campaign
The HCR is the largest LGBTQ advocacy group and political lobbying organization in the United States. 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. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies. PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
It Gets Better Project
The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Growing up isn't easy, especially when you are trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can be a challenging and isolating process - but, the good news is, no one has to do it alone.
You Can Play
The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. We achieve this by creating a community of allies that is able to foster a true sense of belonging.
Educational Resources
Pop'n'Olly
Pop'n'Olly is an LGBTQ+ equality educational resource used by children, parents, carers and teachers. Based in the UK, they have become a worldwide resource for teaching about equality, diversity and acceptance.Their YouTube channel is full of free educational videos appropriate for all ages!
TSER: Trans Student Educational Resources
Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender non-conforming students through advocacy and empowerment -- it is the only national organization led by trans youth.
Pronouns
MyPronouns.org is a practical resource dedicated to the empowering and inclusive use of personal pronouns in the English language. This website presents one set of perspectives on ways to use personal pronouns in an empowering and inclusive way.
LGBTQ+ & BIPOC Resources
Brown Boi Project
The Brown Boi Project is a community of masculine of center womyn, men, two-spirit people, transmen, and our allies committed to transforming our privilege of masculinity, gender, and race into tools for achieving racial and gender justice.
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance is a federation of LGBTQ Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander organizations. NQAPIA seeks to build the capacity of local LGBT AAPI organizations, invigorate grassroots organizing, develop leadership, and challenge homophobia, racism, and anti-immigrant bias.
Unity Coalition
The Unity Coalition is an advocacy organization that was created in 2002. They provide opportunities to contact your lawmakers, build community, and educational resources for Latinx people who also identify as LGBTQ+.
National Center for Black Equity
The mission of the National Center for Black Equity is to promote a multinational LGBT network dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights while promoting individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination.