Lgbtq Resource Guide
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LGBTQ RESOURCE GUIDE FOR YOUTH IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND This resource guide is the work of the Prince George’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Task Force. The task force is a coalition of more than 20 community groups and government agencies and was formed in 2006. The task force recently shortened its name and is now known as the Youth Equality Project. Our mission is to provide support and services to foster youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning. We advocate on their behalf, connect them with resources and host educational and social events to help them further develop life skills and establish and reach their career and personal goals. The Youth Equality Project seeks to make life better for LGBTQ youth in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Gay teens are routinely bullied at school, neglected or abused at home and can face isolation and abandonment by their families. Foster children who identify themselves as gay face especially difficult circumstances. The Youth Equality Project is sending the message to the LGBTQ youth in our community – especially to our foster youth – that their lives will get better…that they have bright futures ahead of them…that there are people – and allies– in prominent positions with amazingly successful careers who are willing to help. In sum, their lives will absolutely get better. There are very few resources for LGBTQ youth in Prince George’s County so we have included resources in Washington, DC as well as surrounding counties. As individuals begin to grow and learn more about the needs of LBGTQ youth, we are hopeful that more resources will be available in the future. A PROJECT OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY LGBTQ TASK FORCE, 2015 YOUTH EQUALITY PROJECT What is the Prince George’s County YOUTH EQUALITY PROJECT (YEP)? A community task force comprised of state and local government personnel, youth advocates, and private citizens committed to establishing a c spectrum of services necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of LGBTQ youth in Prince George’s County. The Task Force was created in 2007 as a result of a need observed by Prince George’s County Department of Social Services and Prince George’s County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Vision: The vision of the Youth Equality Project is to ensure that all LGBTQ youth have safe and nurturing homes, schools, and community environments in which to achieve their full potential. Our Collaborative Work: As a coalition of public and private citizens, the YEP works to improve community planning, coordinate strategies and expand advocacy to ensure positive outcomes for LGBTQ youth. Our on-going work plan to facilitate coordination between several entities includes representatives from County child welfare, juvenile justice, schools, non-profit organizations, and legal advocacy systems. Achieving Positive Impacts and Outcomes to Support LGBTQ Youth in Prince George’s County: since its inception, YEP has achieved: Creation of a Group Home Bill of Rights which has been proposed as a state wide initiative; Published an LGBTQ specific Resource Guide of for the greater Washington DC metropolitan area; Hosted focus groups and listening sessions for and about Prince George's County LGBTQ youth; Hosted a dance for LGBTQ youth; Provided training and technical assistance to youth service professionals as well as law enforcement professionals about LGBTQ youth; and Hosted BRIDGES TO POSITIVE YOUTH OUTCOMES: SUPPORTING LGBTQ YOUTH Conference. YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT Get Involved: As a community coalition, our sustainment and community involvement dedicated to creating change is dependent on volunteer efforts. To offer your time and assistance, please contact Anne Marie Binsner at CASA – (301) 209-0491 or [email protected]. Invest! Our efforts to create a safe and social space for LGBTQ youth, collect information, disseminate resources, and offer professional training requires financial support. Contributions to YEP through CASA are tax-deductible. If your organization would like to host a fundraiser for our organization, we are happy to assist in the planning and preparation of the event. HOTLINES YOUTH IN OUT-OF HOME CARE PROJECT (LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND) For young people in foster care who have questions about LGBT-related discrimination or abuse. 1-866-LGBTEEN (542-8336) GAY, LESBIAN BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER HELPLINE Information & Crisis Intervention Monday-Friday 6pm – 11pm, Saturday 6pm -10pm 1-888-340-4528 GLBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE (A PROGRAM OF THE GLBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER) An e-mail and telephone hotline program specifically for youth, staffed by volunteers under age 25. Monday- Saturday 9:30pm-12am eastern time 1-800-246-PRIDE (7743) NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) GAY AND LESBIAN NATIONAL HOTLINE A peer counseling and information hotline for all ages. Monday-Friday 10pm-12am; Saturday 12pm-5pm 1-888-843-4564 THE PEER LISTENING LINE Youth support and information line staffed by trained GLTB volunteers age 25 and under. Monday-Friday 6pm – 10pm eastern time. 1-800-399-peer (7337) VICTIMS OF CRIME 1-800-394-2255 ADVOCACY/LEGAL SERVICES ACLU’S LGBT PROJECT: YOUTH & SCHOOL LAMBDA LEGAL This Project strives to make schools safe and Lambda Legal works to achieve full recognition bias-free for LGBT students, defending their of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, free speech in school, and working to help bisexuals, transgender people and those with students start gay-straight alliance clubs. HIV; through impact litigation, education and 212-549-2673 public policy work. th www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/lgbt-youth-schools 120 Wall St., 19 Floor New York, NY 10005 ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH 212-809-8585 Dedicated to creating programs and policies www.lambdalegal.org that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Includes information for HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is GLBT youth. organized for the charitable and educational 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 750 purposes of promoting public education and Washington, DC 20036 welfare for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and 202-419-3420 transgender community. www.advocatesforyouth.org 1640 Rhode Island Ave, NW Washington, DC 20036-3278 EQUALITY MARYLAND 202-628-4160 Works to secure and protect the rights of LGBT www.hrc.org Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives on the state, county and municipal levels. 1201 S. Sharp St., Suite 109 NATIONAL BLACK JUSTICE COALITION Baltimore, MD 21230 The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a 410-685-6576 civil rights organization dedicated to www.equalitymaryland.org empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC addresses the BINET USA problem of gay inequality in America with a goal BiNet USA facilitates the development of to increase African American support for gay bisexual communities, promotes bisexual and lesbian equality. visibility, advocates for bisexual community 1630 R St NW, Suite 300 interests and collects and distributes Washington, DC 20009 educational information regarding bisexuality. 202-319-1552 4201 Wilson Blvd. #110-311 www.nbjcoalition.org Arlington, VA 22203 1-800-585-9368 www.binetusa.org NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END NATIONAL NETWORK FOR YOUTH HOMELESSNESS National, non-profit organization that provides A nonprofit organization dedicated to education, networking, training, materials, and promoting research, best practices, and public policy work with lawmakers. Focus on needs of policy to end homelessness. The Alliance disconnected youth through advocacy, established the National Advisory Council on innovation, and services. LGBTQ Homeless Youth in 2006 and works to 741 8th Street SE further legislative reform and policy Washington DC 20003 formation to benefit and support LGBTQ 202-734-3545 homeless youth in America. www.nn4youth.org 1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 410 Washington, DC 20005 SEXUALITY INFORMATION AND 202-638-1526 EDUCATION COUNCIL OF THE UNITED www.endhomelessness.org STATES (SIECUS) Details: SIECUS has served as the national NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS voice for sexuality education, sexual health, A National legal organization that litigates and sexual rights for over 40 years. They precedent-setting cases at the trial and advocate for the right of all people to accurate appellate court levels; advocates for equitable information, comprehensive education about public policies affecting the LGBT community; sexuality, and sexual health services. provides free legal assistance to LGBT people 1706 R Street, NW and their legal advocates; and conducts Washington, DC community education on LGBT issues 20009 Washington Regional Office 202-265-2405 1100 H Street NW Suite 450 www.siecus.org Washington, DC 20005 202-734-3545 THE TREVOR PROJECT NATIONAL www.nclrights.org HELPLINE Details: 24/7 toll-free crisis and suicide prevention help-line for GLBTQ youth. 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) www.thetrevorproject.org CENTERS & COMMUNITY GROUPS THE CENTER: A HOME FOR GLBT IN SMYAL (SEXUAL MINORITY YOUTH METRO DC ASSISTANCE LEAGUE) The DC LGBT Center educates, empowers, SMYAL’s mission is to promote and support celebrates, and connects the lesbian, gay, self-confident, healthy, productive lives for bisexual, and transgender communities by LGBTQ youth as they journey from focusing on health and wellness, arts & culture, adolescence into adulthood. To fulfill their social & support services, and advocacy and