Explore resources for positively affirming and nurturing LGBTQ+ youth, and creating inclusive spaces in the community.
Pride is Prevention
National data from The Trevor Project shows that LGBTQ youth are “consistently found to be at significantly increased risk for suicide because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society” with 41% of LGBTQ youth seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year.
Local data tracks. According to the 2021 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey: “LGBTQ+ [middle school] students are nearly three times as likely to experience poor mental health, including stress, anxiety and depression, most of the time or always during the past year compared to heterosexual cisgender students (42% vs 15%).”
Only 35% of LGBTQ students feel they matter to their community, compared to 63% of their cisgender and heterosexual peers. Discrimination, bullying, and rejection also contribute to higher rates of substance use among LGBTQ youth than their cis/het peers. LGBTQ+ students are significantly more likely than heterosexual students to currently drink alcohol, vape, or use marijuana (YRBS).
LGBTQ-affirming schools and communities are a significant protective factor for youth, reducing suicide risk and promoting well-being for LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ youth who report having just one accepting and affirming adult in their life were 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. Visit the Trevor Support Center, where LGBTQ youth and their allies can find answers to frequently asked questions, and explore resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity and more.
Outright Vermont
Outright Vermont is a queer youth advocacy, education, and youth space that provides peer support groups, camps, and events, education for schools and nonprofits, and support for adult caregivers and family members of trans and gender non-conforming youth.
Check out Handling with Care: A Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth »
Queer Connect
Queer Connect is dedicated to increasing LGBTQ+ visibility in the community and to building resources for LGBTQ+ people and their families living in and around Bennington, Vermont.
TransYouth Family Allies
Resources for parents, educators, and other allies on nurturing and supporting trans youth.
GLSEN
GLSEN was founded to support educators in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. GLSEN conducts research on evidence-based solutions for K-12 education, advocates for policies designed to protect LGBTQ students, and coordinates a national network of Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs).
Gender Spectrum
Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. They offer resources for parents including articles, videos, and online groups.
Parenting of LGBTQ+ Teens
A guide prepared by the Windham County Prevention Partnership that explores LGBTQ+ identity, pronouns, and youth perspectives on how parents and caregivers can be supportive and compassionate.
LGBTQ Family Acceptance Project
This website offers resources for both LGBTQ youth and families to help parents and caregivers to access accurate information about their children’s sexual orientation and gender identity and for both youth and parents to find supportive resources that validate diverse identities.
Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children
Supporting & Caring for Transgender Children is a resource by the Human Rights Campaign that explains how families and healthcare professionals are helping transgender children thrive.