LGBTQ Resources

What does it mean to be transgender? What’s the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? What does LGBTQ even stand for? The following resources answer basic questions like these in terms that beginners can understand.

• LGBT 101: An Introduction to the Queer Community
  Seven-minute informational video on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
• Basic Definitions: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression(PDF, 273KB)
  Introduction to some of the most basic terms related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
• An Ally's Guide to Terminology
  A guide for allies who want to support LGBT Americans but aren’t sure how to begin those conversations.
• Why Pronouns are Important(PDF, 122KB)
  An introduction to gender neutral pronouns and information about the etiquette of pronoun selection.

ACLU Know Your Rights: Transgender People and the Law
Answers to 28 frequently asked questions about the legal rights of transgender Americans.

Human Rights Campaign: State Maps of Laws & Policies
An up-to-date national map of state laws and policies that affect the LGBTQ community.

Lambda Legal
Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

ACLU's Know Your Rights: Transgender Prisoners
A guide to explain the rights of transgender people in prison.

Resources for Providers of Service

Unjust: How the Broken Criminal Justice System Fails LGBT People
A series about personal stories of LGBT people impacted by the criminal justice system.

• Coming Out at Work

LGBTQ individuals face a number of unique physical health risks, as well as barriers preventing them from accessing the care they need. The following pages provide information on important health risks to be aware of and LBGTQ-affirming healthcare providers in Allegheny County.

Resources for Everybody

• Basic TIP Sheet: Talking to Your Healthcare Provider(PDF, 303KB)
• Questions to Ask Medical and Mental Healthcare Providers(PDF, 338KB)
• Why the Gay and Transgender Population Experiences Higher Rates of Substance Use

Emergency Mental Health Resources

• 24/7 help or ongoing support for mental health issues
• Round the clock mental health support

Allegheny County Organizations and Healthcare Providers

Allegheny County LGBTQ Resource Guide(XLSX, 45KB)
A list of over 150 local doctors, therapists, social workers, lawyers, and other service providers and organizations. To provide input on this guide, please call (412) 350-2436, contact the LGBTQ Unit, or submit a Request for Listing form(DOCX, 17KB).

• PERSAD Center: HIV testing, counseling, support and services

Gay and Bisexual Men

• Top 10 Things Gay and Bisexual Men Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider(PDF, 316KB)
• For Your Health: Recommendations for A Healthier You
• Stigma and Discrimination
• The Mental Health Issues Gay Men Deal With
  

Lesbian and Bisexual Women

• Top 10 Things Lesbians and Bisexual Women Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider(PDF, 309KB)

Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People

• Top 10 Things Transgender People Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider(PDF, 308KB)
• Transgender People and HIV: What We Know

LGBTQ Youth and Caregivers

• Preventing Substance Abuse Among LGBTQ Teens
• LGBTQ Youth Sexual Health Information

Older LGBTQ Adults

• LGBT Healthy Aging Toolkit
  

LGBTQ People of Color

• Rest for Resistance

Providers of Service

• Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health: Resources for Health Professionals
  
• When Health Care Isn’t Caring: LGBT People of Color and People of Color Living with HIV
• APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People

• Allegheny County Services for Individuals and Families Experiencing Homelessness
• 412 Youth Zone
• National Runaway Safeline

Resources for Providers of Service

• TIP Sheet: Working with Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth(PDF, 429KB)

• Immigration Equality

• SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders
• LGBT Healthy Aging Toolkit

Resources for Caregivers and Service Providers

• Special Concerns of LGBT Caregivers
• Legal Issues for LGBT Caregivers
• LGBT Caregiving: Frequently Asked Questions

• Project Silk
• SisTers PGH
• QTPOC Mental Health: Rest for Resistance
• Intersectional Mental Health Directory: Concerns of LGBTQ & POC Communities

Resources for Providers of Service

• When Health Care Isn’t Caring: LGBT People of Color and People of Color Living with HIV

• Gender Marker Changes(PDF, 298KB)
• SisTers PGH
• ACLU Know Your Rights: Transgender People and the Law
• Pittsburgh Public Schools Transgender Nondiscrimination Policy
• Why Pronouns are Important(PDF, 122KB)
• Trans Lifeline
• Top 10 Things Transgender People Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider(PDF, 308KB)
• Transgender People and HIV: What We Know
• ACLU Know Your Rights: Transgender Prisoners

Resources for Caregivers and Service Providers

• Caring for Gender Dysphoric Children and Adolescents
• APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People
• Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools

For Youth

• Project Silk
• Dreams of Hope
• LGBTQ Youth Sexual Health Information
• The Trevor Project
• TrevorSpace

For Caregivers, Educators and Service Providers

• Preventing Substance Abuse Among LGBTQ Teens
• Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools

Additional Resources

• Guide for LGBTQ Youth(PDF, 640KB)
• Guide for Gender Diverse Children and Youth(PDF, 1MB)

Further Reading

• LGBTQ Bibliography(XLSX, 172KB)
• LGBTQ Musicians(PDF, 15KB)
• Progress Towards Building an Affirming and Supportive Child Welfare System: getREAL in Allegheny County(PDF, 5MB)

Caregivers

• A Caregivers Guide for Gender Diverse Children and Youth(PDF, 840KB)

Local Organizations and Service Providers

• Allegheny County LGBTQ Resource Guide(XLSX, 45KB)
• Pittsburgh Equality Center
• PERSAD Center

Non-discrimination Statements

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a protected class including: race; color; religion; national origin; ancestry or place of birth; sex; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation; disability; marital status; familial status; age (40 and older); use of guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability.

• Allegheny County Discrimination-Harassment-Retaliation Policy and Complaint and Report Procedure(PDF, 63KB)
• City of Pittsburgh Discrimination Ordinance

To File a Discrimination Complaint

• DHS Director’s Action Line
• Allegheny County Human Relations Commission

Additional Resources

• LGBTQ Community of Practice Advisory Body
• Standards of Practice(PDF, 1MB)