Community Resources
ONS is committed to supporting our community through many different aspects of our work. The LGBTQIA2S+ community at-large must work harder to organize, advocate for, support and include marginalized members so they can flourish in their individual lives and careers. While we and many of our partner organizations are working for the day this additional support is no longer required, we are proud to recommend the following services from other great organizations focused on supporting our overall intersectional identities and communities.
The resources below are partner organizations doing amazing work in areas that exceed our mandate--rather than attempt to recreate or do a substandard job in these areas, we refer you to explore their services and seek them out for the various needs you or your community members might be facing.
Please let us know if any of these resource partners' information is out of date or if there are others we should add.
Crisis Resources
Thrive Lifeline
What is it? If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis and need to chat with a qualified LGBTQIA+ crisis responder, our partners at THRIVE Lifeline are here for you.
THRIVE Lifeline’s text based crisis hotline brings together experienced suicide interveners to help keep you safe during times of acute mental health crises. If you are not in an acute crisis, but are dealing with stress as you navigate identity, orientation, or barriers to academic and professional entry, THRIVE can help!
Please text “THRIVE” to begin your conversation with us 24/7/365, from anywhere: +1.313.662.8209
The Trevor Project
What is it? A non-judgmental hotline for those 25 years old and below with LGBTQ-sensitive trained counselors you can contact through a call, text, or chat during a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts.
Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 (free and available 24/7)
TrevorText: Text the word START to 678678 (available 24/7 standard messaging rates apply)
TrevorChat: Enter the online portal on The Trevor Project’s website (free and available 24/7)
SAGE National LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline
What is it? Talk and be heard at the SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline. Older LGBT people who want to talk can be connected with friendly responders who are ready to listen. If you are an LGBT elder or care for one, call the free SAGE Hotline, toll-free 24/7.
Contact information: 877-360-LGBT (5428) (free and available 24/7)
Trans Lifeline
What is it? A 24/7 hotline available in the U.S. and Canada staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline is primarily for transgender people in a crisis, from struggling with gender identity to thoughts of self-harm.
United States: +1-877-565-8860
Canada: +1-877-330-6466
LGBT National Help Center
What is it? The LGBT National Help Center provides telephone, online chat, and email peer-support. They speak with callers of all ages about bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, coming out, relationships, safer sex, and more. They also have a massive resource database for social and support groups, gay-friendly religious organizations, sports, leagues, student groups, and more.
Toll free National Hotline: +1-888-843-4564 (M-F: 4pm-12am ET)
Youth Talkline: +1-800-246-7743 (M-F: 4pm-12am ET, Sat: 12pm-5pm ET)
Online Peer Support Chat (M-F: 4pm-12am ET, Sat: 12pm-5pm ET)
Trans Teen Online Talk Group (Wed: 7pm-9pm ET)
Pride Institute
What is it? Chemical dependency/mental health referral and information hotline for the LGBTQ community, ages 18 and above.
Treatment Hotline: +1-800-547-7433 (free and available 24/7)
Organizing Your Workplace
Out and Equal
What is it? Out & Equal is the premier organization working exclusively on LGBTQ workplace equality. Through our worldwide programs, Fortune 500 partnerships and their annual Workplace Summit conference, they help LGBTQ people thrive and support organizations creating a culture of belonging for all.
Pride at Work
What is it? Pride At Work represents LGBTQ+ union members and their allies. They organize mutual support between the organized Labor Movement and the LGBTQ+ Community to further social and economic justice. Resources include:
Legal Assistance
Lambda Legal
What is it? Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
National Headquarters: +1-212-809-8585
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
What is it? NCLR is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education.
Legal hotline: 1-800-528-6257 (9am-5pm PST)
Transgender Law Center
What is it? Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people.
Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, we employ a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.
Contact information: +1-510-587-9696
Immigration Equality
What is it? Navigating the immigration system is daunting on your own. We’re here to help.
If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and/or HIV-positive and have a legal question or need representation, our legal resources can help.
General Inquiries: +1-212-714-2904
If you are in detention: +1-917-654-9696
American Civil Liberties Union Local Affiliates
What is it? The ACLU protects your freedom through a nationwide network of staffed offices in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. To request legal assistance or get involved, find your local ACLU affiliate.
General Inquiries: 1-212-549-2500
National Center for Transgender Equality
What is it? Welcome to our one-stop hub for name and gender change information. Find out how to update your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records.
Contact information: +1-202-642-4542
Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
What is it? The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund's Trans Health Project aims to ensure that all transgender and non-binary people can access the trans-related health care that they need.
General Inquiries: +1-646-862-9396
Trans Lifeline Identity Microgrants
What is it? Microgrants provide trans and nonbinary people with low-barrier funds and support to correct names and/or gender markers on identifying legal documents, and supply necessities for our trans siblings behind bars.
Support in changing your legal name and updating your government identification document. Advocates can assist with the processes and cost of updating the following documents:
- Passport
- Driver's License and State ID
- Court Order Name Change
- Immigration Documents
General Inquiries: 1-877-565-8860
International Assistance
The Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration
What is it? ORAM provides legal assistance, advances economic inclusion through livelihood programs, champions the rights of LGBTIQ asylum seekers and refugees on the global stage and provides critical emergency response to the communities we serve.
OutRight International
What is it? Every day, the human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people around the world are abused in ways that shock the conscience. The stories of the struggles and resilience often remain invisible – or willfully ignored – by those with the power to make change. Since 1990, OutRight Action International has worked alongside LGBTIQ activists and organizations, diplomats and policymakers, and other key partners to advance community-focused solutions to create lasting legal and social transformation. Together, they combat the systemic violence, persecution and discrimination that LGBTIQ people face around the world.
General Inquiries: +1-212-430-6054
Rainbow Railroad
What is it? Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.
In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm.
QUA - LGBTQ Ukrainians in America
What is it? QUA - LGBTQ Ukrainians in America is the first association of LGBTQ Ukrainians and their allies in the United States. As an organization, we focus on supporting the Ukrainian LGBTQ community, helping LGBTQ Ukrainian immigrants to America integrate into American society, facilitating cultural and humanitarian exchanges between Ukraine and America, and advocating for the rights of LGBTQ people both in Ukraine and the United States.