Need Help? TEEN LINE is here.
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- TEXT TEEN to 839863
Need Help? TEEN LINE is here.
Sexual Orientation and Gender
Sexual Orientation is who you are physically, spiritually, and emotionally attracted to, based on their sex/gender in relation to your own.
Your gender identity is your sense of yourself as a man, woman, both or neither. Some of the many gender identities include:
Some teens identify with the umbrella term queer to describe a sexual orientation or gender identity that falls outside of the “heterosexual mainstream” or gender binary. Others who are questioning are unsure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It is okay and even common for identities to shift over time.
We should never assume what words people use to describe their gender or sexual orientation. It’s important to respect the terms each individual identifies with. When in doubt, ask.
LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic, and beyond. If you identify on this spectrum, here are some things to remember:
If you or someone you know is struggling with their sexual or gender identity, it is important to find a support group or someone sympathetic to talk to.
LGBTQ 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, LGBTQ youth feel forced to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity a 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.
Psychotherapy in many languages, including English, Farsi, Hebrew, Russian, and French.
400 Corporate Pointe,
Culver City, CA 90230
M-Thur 8am-8pm & F 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-4pm
Groups on weekends and evenings. Community center for Latino youth. FREE support groups, one-on-one counseling, weekly gatherings and social events, 10 minute rapid HIV testing.
Hollywood Center 323-660-9680
Van Nuys Center 818-908-3820
Long Beach 562-438-5200
Pomona Center 909-397-7660
5326 E Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90022
M-F 10am-7pm
As LGBTQ students transition from high school to college, we want to help ensure they’re properly supported. One way we can do this is by connecting students to resources.
These resources include:
For LGBTQ Scholarship opportunities and assistance, visit:
http://www.bestcolleges.com/financial-aid/lgbtq-scholarships/
1001 McKinney Street, Suite 400 Houston, TX 77002,
TX
http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/lgbtq-student-guide/
Colors is a safe, warm, and welcoming space that provides free LGBTQ-affirmative counseling and healing psychotherapeutic services to youth under 25 and their families in the greater Los Angeles area.
400 Corporate Pointe,
Culver City, CA 90230
Transitional living program for youth ages 18-24, HIV education, job center, some mentoring, emergency beds.
1625 Schrader Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
M-F 8:30am-5:30pm & Sat-Sun 8:30am-4pm
Resources, peer support, networking, leadership development, and student activism training for GSA members, leaders, and advisors.
1550 Bryant St,
SF, CA 94103
M-F 10am-6pm
Offer online peer-support chat. Offer info on LGBT issues. Provide free and confidential telephone and internet peer counseling.
2261 Market St #PMB #296,
SF, CA 94114
M-F 1pm-9pm & Sat 9am-2pm
Website provides information about sex, STI’s, relationships, pregnancy, LGBTQ, contraception, etc.
Group and individual counseling, youth shelter, GLBT support services, leadership training, and teen dating violence prevention.
6615 Pacific Coast Hwy,
Long Beach, CA 90803
M-F 9am-5pm
Drop in center for homeless youths. Showers, meals, educational service and GED program, counseling, laundry, employment training, and HIV testing and counseling.
1625 Schrader Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
M-F 8am-5:30pm & Sat/Sun 8:30am-4pm
JQ creates programs and services that foster a healthy fusion of LGBTQ and Jewish identities. These initiatives offer LGBTQ Jews, their friends, families, and loved ones the opportunity to connect with each other while fostering a strong sense of self. JQ International also encourages and strengthens leadership, activism, and social action amongst its members in order to continue creating not only a vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ Jewish community but also the best possible community at large.
JQSA (Jewish Queer Straight Alliance) is the first community-wide youth group in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and ally Jewish teens, ages 13-18. Members of the Teen JQSA have their own space to socialize with other teens from the LGBTQ and ally community and build an activist toolkit to combat bullying and intolerance in and outside of the Jewish community.
The JQ Helpline is the only resource and social service referral line specifically designed to serve LGBTQ Jews, their families, and allies in the United States, as well as Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Call 855-JQI-HLPS (855-574-4577) or Email Warmline@JQInternational.org
801 Larrabee St. Suite #10,,
West Hollywood, CA 90069
http://www.jqinternational.org/teen-jqsa/
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; STDs; parents and families. (Youth Center); 20 beds available.
M-F 9am-5pm
Legal Help Desk 866-542-8336
Provides legal assistance and representation to students and school professionals facing discrimination, harassment or censorship based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
LifeWorks is the youth development and mentoring program of the LA LGBT Center. They offer one-on-one, peer, and group mentoring opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth ages 12-24. Lifeworks’ goal is to help LGBTQ youth to realize their goals and dreams with a safe space, positive and affirming role models, and workshops & activities that are fun and educational. Check out their website to see all of the programs they offer! Youth Space: T-F 3pm-6pm.
1125 N McCadden Pl,
Los Angeles, CA 90038
M-F 9am-6pm
Additional phone: Los Angeles 888-735-2488
Long Beach 562-773-9801
Support for families and friends of gays and lesbians. Meetings third Tuesday of each month.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
M-Sun 9am-9pm
Educational support and outreach to GLBT and questioning youth. Referrals. Provides funding for GLBTQ support programs.
115 W California Blvd,
Pasadena, CA 91105
Website that offers inclusive, supportive information and resources on sexuality and relationships for teens to include message boards, live chat and text services.
Serves youth aged 12-24. Provides medical care, STD/HIV testing and treatment, birth control, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, transgender services, immunizations, urgent care, physical exams, and care for chronic conditions. Bilingual.
4650 Sunset Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90027
M-F 9am-5:30pm
Free HIV/STI testing and treatment by appointment.
Youth drop-in center M-F 3pm – 7pm.
Young adult support groups W 8pm-9pm. Coming out Support Group on Fri 7pm-9pm.
Counseling, health education, free HIV/STD testing by appointment.
Youth mentorship M-F 3pm-7pm
2017 E 4th St,
Long Beach, CA 90814
M-F 10am-9pm & Sat 10pm-4pm
Crisis line for LGBT youth younger than 25 years old. National line with referrals in all areas.
Trevor LifeLine: 24 Hours
Text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200 Thurs & Fri1pm-5pm. Standard Text Messaging rates apply.
Online Chat available 12pm-6pm everyday
Crisis line for LGBTQ youth younger than 25 years old. National line with referrals in all areas.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sunday- Saturday 24 hours
Resources for youth struggling with transgender identification and their families. Offers family coaching and support, and guidance for medical, legal, and education systems.
Trevor Space is an online international peer-to-peer community for LGBTQ young people and their friends.
Short-term counseling. Support and social groups for all youth. HIV education prevention and testing. Emergency showers, food, clothing. Safer sex materials.
1605 N Spurgeon St,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
M-F 10am-9pm
Legal consultations. $10 processing fee is requested, but no one is denied due to lack of funds. Call for an appointment.
1625 Schrader Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
M-F 9am-9pm & Sat 9am-1pm