LGBTQ+ Resources

Many youth and adults have questions related to the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning) community and how to be supportive of their friends, family, and community members. We hope you will find the resources below helpful to you and those you love. Our Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Laura Stanton, is passionate about being inclusive and equitable when it comes to supporting our diverse youth, adults, and families. If you are interested in learning more or scheduling a workshop about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, their strengths, and the unique challenges they face, please reach out to her. Her phone number is 513-695-1311 and her email is stanton.60@osu.edu.

Websites and Resources

The Kids Mental Health Foundation and On Our Sleeves: On Our Sleeves is a signature program of The Kids Mental Health Foundation partnering with leading children's hospitals and behavioral health providers. Focused on starting conversations and breaking stigmas, On Our Sleeves provides free resources to families, caregivers, educators and coaches across the country. Because we know kids don't wear their thoughts on their sleeves, this program gives them a voice. Please note their website and resources are available in English and Spanish. Here is a list of helpful articles:

The Trevor Project: The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information and support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network): GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.

PFLAG: PFLAG is creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

Welcoming Schools: A comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals. Our program uses an intersectional, anti-racist lens dedicated to actionable policies and practices. We uplift school communities with critical tools to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Office aims to create and maintain an accessible, inclusive and supportive community for all who learn, work, and teach in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and OSU Extension at The Ohio State University.  

Center for Belonging and Social Change at The Ohio State University: The Center partners with students, campus partners, and community stakeholders to cultivate an inclusive, empowering, and equity-minded campus community through advocacy, education, and support. 

U.S. Department of Education Toolkit: Creating Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environments for LGBTQI+ Students (PDF)

CDC: Supporting LGBTQ Youth

Ohio Resources:

Nationwide Children's Hospital (Franklin County)
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services (Cincinnati)
Kaleidoscope Youth Center (Columbus)

Virtual Resources:

Q Chat Space: A Community for LGBTQ+ Teens
Mental Health Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor