Resources for GLBT Youth

Resources in Massachusetts

MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) formerly DOE

The ESE website provides helpful info, resources and grant opportunities for schools:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/GSA/outright.pdf
http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr26.html
http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/gsa
http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/Grants/grants09/rfp/194.html

For info on programming addressing Gender & Sexual Orientation in Career/Voc/Tech Education, contact:
Jeff Perrotti
617-547-8046
jmperrotti@aol.com.

MA Department of Public Health (DPH) - Safe Spaces for GLBTQ Youth

Fosters collaborations with other state and community agencies to maximize the use of resources and help achieve program goals relative to the safety and support of GLBTQ youth throughout Massachusetts. Safe Spaces funds 10 programs, outstanding in their community based focus on specific racial, cultural and class enclaves of the GLBT youth community, which include homeless GLBT youth and transgender youth programs. Many of the Safe Spaces programs focus on violence, suicide and injury prevention while addressing a range of other critical public health issues affecting each population. 

Contact:
Steven Smyth
Program Director
Safe Spaces for GLBTQ Youth
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Division of Violence and Injury Prevention
250 Washington St. - 4th floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 624-5490
email: steven.smyth@massmail.state.ma.us

Fenway Community Health Peer Listening Line

Anonymous and confidential phone line that offers gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth a "safe place" to call for information, referrals, and support.

Contact:
617-267-2535
Toll Free: 800-399-PEER

GLAD - (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)

Offers expert legal information on the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students (or those perceived to be) in Massachusetts public schools, and advice on how to proceed if you believe such rights have been violated.

Contact:
1-800-455-GLAD
Email gladlaw@glad.org
http://www.glad.org/rights/school.shtml

The GLBT Youth Group Network of Massachusetts - Managed by The Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth (BAGLY)

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Group Network of MA is a statewide support and development partnership of community-based direct service organizations which exist to ensure that queer and questioning youth from the Commonwealth have access to a broad array of supports, services and opportunities. These groups, located across Massachusetts, offer safe, non-exploitative environments where youth can make friends, discuss experiences, and get support, info and referrals about sexual and gender identity and other issues of concern.

Contact:
Jessica Flaherty
617-227-4313 at
Email: jflaherty@bagly.org
http://www.bagly.org

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Support Project- A program of Health Imperatives

An important 'program arm' of the Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth in conjunction with the MA Dept. of Public Health Safe Spaces Program, the GLBT Youth Support Project provides training, technical support and networking opportunities for educators, school administrators, and community-based health and human service providers who are working to support GLBT youth. The GLBT Youth Support Project distributes a monthly statewide electronic newsletter for providers and educators who support GLBT youth.

Sign up for the newsletter, request materials, or get information about resources, trainings, meetings, conferences and events at http://www.healthimperatives.org/glys.htm or 800-530-2770.

Contact:
Missy Sturtevant
Program Coordinator
msturtevant@healthimperatives.org

GLSEN/Boston

Offers a comprehensive selection of programs designed to support schools and individuals on a number of different levels, including teacher and staff training, student trainings, GSA support, a comprehensive professional development program, workshops focused on specific issues, retreats for educators, an annual conference which provides networking, skill building and curriculum training opportunities, and the National Day of Silence initiative.

Contact:
617-536-9669.
glsenboston@glsenboston.org
http://www.glsenboston.org

Greater Boston PFLAG - Safe Schools and Communities Project

The Greater Boston Chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays, Bisexuals & Transgendered People) offers powerful speaking engagements on GLBT issues in schools and/or community settings.

Contact
Pam Garramone
781-891-5966
Email: Pflagsafeschools@aol.com to book or to find your nearest PFLAG chapter
http://www.gbpflag.org

JRI Health - Boston GLASS Community Center

A drop-in center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people between the ages of 13 and 25 - a safe space to hang out, make new friends, and just relax; with board games, discussion groups, a TV with DVD player and documentaries, computer stations, a resource library, living room, and a kitchen. A staff of full-time professionals is available to offer support with issues such as coming out, health, relationships, work, school, family and help with questions and finding resources.

Contact
617-266-3349
http://www.jri.org/Programs-Additional-Adolescent-Programs-Boston-GLASS-Community-Center.php

Massachusetts Asian and Pacific Islanders (MAP) for Health

Contact:
Chanelle Dow - Youth Coordinator:
617-383-4871
chanelle@maphealth.org
http://www.mapforhealth.org

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC)

Provides an online transgender resource guide; community, high school/college organizing e-lists; info on laws, public policies, and initiatives on trans civil rights and protections.

Contact:
http://www.masstpc.org

SpeakOut

Offers educational speaking engagements on the lives and issues of LGBT people.

Contact:
http://www.speakoutboston.org

Young Trans Support Group (BATS)

Based in the Boston area, a peer-run support group for teen/high school/college age and twentysomething transgender people, and anyone questioning their gender, from MTF to FTM to genderqueer to whatever gender descriptor you prefer.

Contact:
Email: afran@mit.edu
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/boston-area-trans-support

Youth on Fire

A drop-in center at Cambridge Cares About AIDS; provides support, referrals, health info and services in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment, for homeless and at-risk youth.

Contact:
617-599-0231
http://www.ccaa.org/youth_on_fire.html

Information & Referrals for GSAs and GLBT Youth Issues

Youth Enrichment Services - Program of LGBT Community Ctr., NYC
http://www.gaycenter.org/youth

National Youth Advocacy Coalition, Washington DC
http://www.nyacyouth.org

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network - GLSEN
http://www.glsen.org

Check out what they're doing in California!
http://www.gsanetwork.org

Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally
http://www.personproject.org

Based in Washington State but providing helpful information for Safe Schools everywhere
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org

866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386 - confidential 24/7 crisis helpline for GLBTQ youth
http://www.thetrevorproject.org

Books & Videos to Increase GLBT Awareness in Your School Library or Counseling Center

Fiction

Luna
by: Julie Ann Peters

Orphea Proud
by: Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Rosemary & Juliet by
by: Judy McClean

So Hard to Say
by: Alex Sanchez

Rainbow High
by: Alex Sanchez

Rainbow Boys
by: Alex Sanchez

The Realm of Possibility
by: David Levithan

Non-Fiction

Beyond Diversity Day: A Q&A on Gay and Lesbian Issues in Schools
by: Arthur Lipkin

When the Drama Club is Not Enough
by: Jeff Perrotti and Kim Westheimer

Marriage, A History
by: Stephanie Coontz

Side by Side: On Having a Gay or Lesbian Sibling
by: Andrew Gottlieb

And the Band Played On
by: Randy Shilts

Video

Out of the Past: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Rights in America

Looking for Langston

Silence = Death

Silent Pioneers: Gay and Lesbian Elders

Stonewall 25: Voices of Pride and Protest After Stonewall