Exploring one’s sexual or gender identity can feel like an overwhelming experience, especially if you don’t have safe and supportive friends or family to talk with. You may have a lot of big feelings and questions and that’s natural and very common. Your identity journey is important, it matters, you matter. On this page we hope to connect you with resources and information about gender and sexual identity that will support you on your journey. For instructions to view this page in Spanish, click on en Español.
Families Connected Resources
Video: expert advice for teens
Words of encouragement from Linda K. Reeves, LMFT - “It gets better.”
Curated Gallery of Resources
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Helpful resources
Brave Trails is a national non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth leadership. We offer accredited summer camps, family camps, mentorship programs, meet-up groups, and year-round leadership programming. All of our programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place and their passion
Gender Spectrum hosts free online groups for pre-teens, teens, parents, caregivers and other family members and adults. These groups provide you with the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences and feel the comfort of a supportive community.
It Gets Better Project is a non-profit which offers thousands of free It Gets Better© videos shared with them by LGBTQ+ youth, along with their original content series.
With over 400 chapters nationally, there is bound to be a PFLAG support group near you. Click on the PFLAG logo to go to the PFLAG website and access their chapter finder in your Zip Code area. Confidential support is available for both parents and teens.
The Trevor Project provides extensive support to LGBTQ+ youth. This link will take you to a comprehensive resource page to find answers to frequently asked questions and explore resources related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Trevor Support Center offers a 24/7 Lifeline, online instant messaging with a TrevorChat counselor, and TrevorText support.
Inspiring stories from public figures
Click on the image of Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib to watch him discuss coming out as the first openly gay NFL player. He also pledged a $100,000 donation to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit working in crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth.
Click on the image of British olympic diver Tom Daly to hear his powerful message on being an LGBT athlete.
Recommended gender identity movie and video series
Filmed over five years in Kansas City, Transhood chronicles the lives of four young people (aged 4, 7, 12 and 15 at the start of filming) and their families as they navigate growing up transgender in America’s heartland (HBO). Complementing the premiere of HBO original TRANSHOOD, the TRANSlation Summit continues the conversation around the transgender experience, further educating viewers and promoting inclusivity. We share one of their YouTube videos below.
