"I'm really confused about my sexual feelings because even though I date the opposite sex, I am more attracted to people of my own sex." -18 year old

If you or someone you know is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning (GLBTQ) or thinks he or she might be, it is important to find a support group or someone sympathetic to talk to.

GLBTQ teens are at higher risk for suicide, substance abuse, and physical attack than other young people because of the widespread prejudice against homosexuality in our culture. Because of this prejudice, GLBTQ youth feel forced to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity secret. This often results in self-hatred that can lead a person to abuse drugs, practice unsafe sex, or engage in other kinds of self-destructive behavior, including suicide. Fortunately, the agencies, organizations and support groups listed below are there to help.

RESOURCES

323-727-7897Bienestar - GLBTQ Program

M-F 10am-7pm
Website: www.bienestar.org
Hollywood Center (323) 660-9680 (M-F 10am-7pm)
Van Nuys (818) 908-3820 (M-F 10am-7pm)
Long Beach (562) 436-9722 x13 (M-F 10am-7pm)
Pomona (909) 397-7660 (M-F 10am-7pm)
(Groups on weekends and evenings.) Community center for Latino youth. FREE support groups, one-on-one counseling, weekly gatherings and social events, 10 minutes rapid HIV testing.

310-358-8727Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, Inc. (GLASS)

M-F 8:30am-5pm
Website: www.glassla.org
Stonewall Skill Center Computer Training: East Side (323) 263-8339
West Side (310) 559-1247
Mobile Health Outreach Project (MoHOP): (213) 200-8878
Court referred long-term residential program. Mobile van offers HIV & primary medical services. General gay & lesbian referrals.

323-993-7501Gay and Lesbian Kruks/Pilsner Transitional Living Program

M-F 8am-4:30pm
Website: www.lagaycenter.org
Showers, lunch, laundry, internet, clothing, drop-in service center. Fill in paperwork for transitional living program for youth ages 17-24.

888-843-4564Gay and Lesbian National Hotline

M-F 1pm-9pm; Sat. 9am.-2pm
Website: www.glnh.org
Information and referrals.

323-993-7450Gay and Lesbian Youth Services

M-F 9am-6pm
Website: www.lagaycenter.org
Transitional living program for youth ages 18-24, mentoring and HIV education. 18 months.

866-488-7386Gay and Lesbian Youth Talkline

M-F 8am-4:30pm
Website: www.lagaycenter.org
Youth talkline has a referral to call Trevor Line to speak to other LGBT people.

213-534-7162Gay-Straight Alliance Network

M-F 10am-6pm
Website: www.gsanetwork.org
Resources, peer support, networking, leadership development, and student activism training for GSA members, leaders, and advisors.

323-993-7501Jeffrey D. Griffith Youth Center

M-F 8am-4:30pm
Website: www.laglc.org
Drop in center for homeless youths. Showers, meals, educational service and GED program, counseling, laundry, employment training, and HIV testing and counseling.

310-724-6300LifeWork

M-F 9am - 6pm,
Website: www.lifeworksmentoring.org
Programs to support LGBTQ youth & young adults in developing and achieving goals. One-on-One Mentoring program. Weekly drop-in group W 6pm-8:30pm. Outdoor activities. Volunteer opportunities. Free condoms. Referrals.

323-993-7400Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Centers Family Services Program

M-F 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-1pm (Mental Health and Pharmacy)
Website: www.lagaycenter.org
Office: (323) 993-7476
Anti-violence and hate crimes; clinical trials; drug and alcohol counseling; employment services; family violence; HIV medical care and testing; legal services; mental health and counseling; STD's; parents and families (Youth Center).

310-472-8952Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays - PFLAG

M-Sun 9am-9pm
Website: www.pflagla.org
Additional phone: (310) 454-6681 or (818) 788-8678
Support for families and friends of gays and lesbians. Meetings third Tuesday of each month.

626-577-4553Project 10

M-F 8am-5pm
Website: www.project10.org
Educational support and outreach to GLBT and questioning youth. Referrals.

562-434-4455The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach

M-F 9am-10pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 1pm-9pm Website: www.centerlb.org
Free HIV/STD testing by appointment.
Youth drop-in center M-Th 2pm-5pm. Young adult support groups W 8pm-9pm. Coming out Support Group on Fri 7pm-9pm

866-488-7386Trevor Line

24 hours
Website: www.thetrevorhelpline.org
Crisis line for LGBT youth younger than 25 years old. National line with referrals in all areas.

714-534-0862Youth Drop-In Center of The Center, Orange County

M-F 9am-6pm
Website: www.thecenteroc.org
Short-term counseling. Support and social groups for all youth. HIV education prevention. Emergency showers, food, clothing. Safer sex materials.