LGBTQIA+ Resources and Support
It can be hard to find reliable resources about LGBTQIA+ identities.
Whether you’re looking to explore and learn more about your own identity or are trying to learn how to become a better ally to LGBTQIA+ loved ones (or maybe even combination of both), we want to make things a little easier.
Here at Out of the Rain, we each have close to a decade working with LGBTQIA+ populations in our social work systems and the community, as well as a lifetime of living as queer individuals ourselves.
We have seen first hand how hard it can be for LGBTQIA+ folks to get support in our local community.
Out of the Rain aims to help bolster that support by bringing our personal and professional experience to our services, work to help educate LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies on locally available services, and help people find free online resources that can be a valuable first-step on their road to understanding and support.
Please note that Out of the Rain did not create and does not own the following resources. These are simply tools that we have found useful when helping LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies, both in our professional and personal lives. Click the underlined links to access each page.
This page will be updated as we discover new resources.
LGBTQ Crisis Hotlines and Services
oSTEM has put together a great list of hotlines and other crisis services for LGBTQIA+ folks (including a few for the general population). On the list are a wide variety of organizations supporting various niches of the LGBTQIA+ community, with short descriptions of each.
Basic Rights Oregon Anti-Discrimination Resources
Basic rights Oregon has a great page detailing the different resources available to help if you are experiencing discrimination based on your LGBTQIA+ identity. You can also contact them directly for assistance.
Local Resources
We currently offer two LGBTQIA+ support groups; one for community members and the other for local professionals.
You can find more information here.
Q+A (Queers and Allies)
A local social group for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-24.
Contact qandacoos@gmail.com for more info.
The gender affirmation closet provides local trans and gender-nonconforming individuals with resources such as clothing, cosmetics, and other items to help them live as their identified gender.
Click the link to learn more, as well as apply to receive resources yourself.
The pride organization for the Southern Oregon coast. Join their group for resources, updates, and events, particularly around pride month but a great resource year round.
Basic Understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities and vocab
One of the more thorough lists of LGBTQIA+ definitions I’ve seen on the web. Trans Lifeline is a valuable resource that provides over-the-phone peer support for trans people.
Our understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities and the way we talk about them is constantly evolving so no list can be truly comprehensive, but this one comes pretty close.
A simple to understand framework for understanding gender, sexuality, and the nuances between them. If you’re looking for a resource to learn about these things on your own, a workbook version that you can read along with can be found here.
Resources for Parents and Allies
A website put together by PFLAG, an organization designed to help parents, families, and other allies support the LGBTQ folks in their lives. We particularly recommend their documents guide to being a straight ally and guide to being a trans ally.
A document put together in a partnership between the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP) that details the current approaches that are best supported by experts when supporting transgender children.
Resources for LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Brave Space has collected links to help you navigate changing your name, ID, gender markers, birth certificate, and other identity documents.
Guides for Genital Tucking and Chest Binding
“Tucking” and “binding” are two important practices for many trans people, to help affirm their gender non-surgically. There are, however, many potential risks and pitfalls. These resources are good guides on how to tuck and bind safely and effectively.
A Coos County-based resources to answer any question a teen might have about sex. They also have a section specific to LGBTQIA+ individuals.
A tool to help transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals find safe restroom access. All entries are user generated. Simply put in your location and see information about bathrooms nearby. Includes information like directions to the bathroom, how the staff at that location might interact with you, as well as whether there are gender neutral or single occupancy options. Can be accessed from browser and also has apps available.
Not a lot of entries for Coos County yet but users can add their own and help map out safe bathroom access in our community!
Resources about Intersex Identities
We put together a pamphlet as a quick and fun guide on signs that could indicate you are intersex, as well as some basic info on what that means and next steps to take! (This is a pay-what-you-want PDF on our Gumroad store. You can type 0 in the price field to download for free)
An intersex advocacy organization. A great organization for information and resources.
A look at some of the barriers and challenges intersex people can face, from Center for American Progress.
An in-depth look at numbers for the intersex population put together by Intersex Human Rights Australia.
A short introductory talk, by our therapist Marie Small, for people who want to learn about what intersex experiences look like, how you might know if you're intersex, and considerations for EMDR therapy with intersex individuals.
Out of the Rain also offers life coaching, community workshops, and trainings for organizations tailored to LGBTQIA+ identities and the challenges they face.
We can offer support to both LGBTQIA+ individuals and their parents, family, and other allies. See the links at the top of the page for more details on our services, or use the following buttons to reach out to us directly or subscribe to our newsletter.