Support
In some instances, growing up gay today is not such a big deal. The world is changing and never before in history has homosexuality enjoyed as much media coverage as it does today. In many places, all over the world, social attitudes are changing and as a result our community enjoys liberation. That’s a good thing!
However, life is not a great big glitter ball for everyone. For many of us, life is still a struggle and support can be difficult to find. In this section we list organisations across the world that work towards making life easier for gay people.
While we made every effort to list organisations from as many regions in the world as possible, we know that some will not be mentioned here. Luckily, there are international organisations that will make an effort to help you or point you in the right direction should you not find one listed in your own country.
As an alternative, we invite you to add any organisations that you have found helpful, by simply leaving a comment with the details at the bottom of this page.
International Organisations
The following international organisations work toward the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people and their liberation from all forms of discrimination.
ILGA — International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association — Focuses public and government attention on cases of discrimination against LGBTI people by supporting programmes and protest actions, asserting diplomatic pressure, providing information and working with international organisations and the international media.
Website: http://ilga.org
Contact: information@ilga.org
Stonewall — A lesbian, gay and bisexual rights charity in the United Kingdom named after the Stonewall Inn of Stonewall riots fame. It is the largest gay equality organisation not only in the UK but also in Europe.
Website: www.stonewall.org.uk
Contact: info@stonewall.org.uk
IGLHRC — International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission — A US-based international non-governmental organisation that addresses human rights violations against lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, intersexuals, transgender people and people with HIV/AIDS. It is accredited by the United Nations and holds consultative status with that organisation.
Website: www.iglhrc.org
Contact: iglhrc@iglhrc.org (US), mena@iglhrc.org (Africa/ Middle East), asia@iglhrc.org (Asia), lac@iglhrc.org (South America)
Organisations for Arab Countries
Gay and Lesbian Arabic Society (GLAS)
An international organisation established in 1988 in the US that serves as a networking organisation for Gays and Lesbians of Arab descent or those living in Arab countries. They aim to promote positive images of Gays and Lesbians in Arab communities worldwide, in addition to combating negative portrayals of Arabs within the Gay and Lesbian community. They also provide a support network for members. They are part of the global Gay and Lesbian movement seeking an end to injustice and discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Website: www.glas.org
Organisations listed by country
Australia
National LGBTI Health Alliance Members — A coalition of organisations from across Australia which provide health-related programmes, services and research targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and other sexuality, sex and gender diverse people.
Phone: (02) 8568 1120
Website: www.lgbthealth.org.au
Contact: info@lgbtihealth.org.au
Brazil
Grupo Gay da Bahia — The Gay Group of Bahia is the oldest of its kind in Brazil and was founded in 1980. It’s a non-profit organisation and is a member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association and forms part of the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission.
Website: www.ggb.org.br
Contact: ggb@ggb.org.br
Canada
Egale Canada (formerly Equality for Gays And Lesbians Everywhere) — An advocacy organisation founded in 1986 to advance equality for Canadian LGBT people and their families, across Canada. Egale’s work includes lobbying for more equitable laws for LGBT people, intervening in legal cases that have an impact on human rights and equality, and increasing public education and awareness by providing information to individuals, groups, and media. Egale has over 3,300 members including people in every province and territory of Canada.
Website: http://www.archive.egale.ca/
Contact egale.canada@egale.ca
France
Inter-LGBT (Interassociative Lesbienne, Gaie, Bi et Trans) is an umbrella group of 50 LGBT organisations in France.
Website: www.inter-lgbt.org
India
Udaan Trust — A non-governmental organisation operating in the state of Maharashtra and the first HIV/AIDS organisation founded by homosexuals living with HIV/AIDS. Udaan focuses on issues of sexual health within the homosexual and transgendered communities, particularly with regard to the prevention of HIV/AIDS. In order to accomplish this, Udaan provides services such as condom distribution, sex education, counselling, and medical services to at-risk populations.
Website: www.udaantrust.org
Ireland
LGBT Diversity — The LGBT Diversity programme is a coordinated response by twelve LGBT organisations in Ireland, developed to build the capacity of the LGBT sector. The programme will facilitate LGBT organisations and activists to collectively mobilise and engage with the wider community in order to advocate strategically and effectively on gender and sexuality issues.
Website: www.lgbtdiversity.com
LGBT Helpline — Provides access to trained volunteers who provide a non-judgemental, confidential, listening support and information service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as well as their family and friends. Their website also provides a gateway to information and support options for LGBT people in Ireland.
Phone: 042-9329816
Website: www.lgbt.ie
Contact: info@lgbt.ie
Russia
Russian LGBT network — Interregional non-governmental organisation working for the protection of rights and social adaptation of sexual and LGBT gender minorities. The network structure includes 13 regional branches and 10 regional LGBT organisations.
Website: www.lgbtnet.ru
South Africa
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project (LGEP) — A non-profit organisation that works for full legal and social equality for LGBTI people in South Africa. The LGEP was formerly known as the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality.
Website: www.equality.org.za
Contact: info@equality.org.za
Uganda
Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law
Established in October 2009 in response to the tabling of a now notorious Anti-Homosexuality Bill in the Ugandan Parliament, was one of the winners of the 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award, awarded by the US Department of State.
Website: www.ugandans4rights.org
Contact: info@ugandans4rights.org
United Kingdom
Albert Kennedy Trust — Supports LGBT young people in crisis and works to ensure that they are able to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes, by providing a range of services to meet the individual needs of those who would otherwise be homeless or living in a hostile environment.
Website: www.akt.org.uk
Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) — Established in the United States in 1992 and along with EJAF in the UK, pursues the same mission – to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS through innovative HIV prevention programmes, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct treatment and care services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Website: www.ejaf.org
Galop — London’s leading anti-LGBT hate crime charity, making life safe, just and fair for LGBT people.
Website: www.galop.org.uk
Contact: info@galop.org.uk
Pace Health — The charity promotes the mental health and emotional well-being of the LGBT community and is committed to researching the changing needs of LGBT people, and offering wide ranging, crucial support services to meet these needs and help people move through their difficult times.
Website: www.pacehealth.org.uk
LLGS Switchboard — London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard provides a range of services for the LGBT community. Their aim is to provide an information, support and referral service for LGBT people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.
Helpline: 0300 330 0630 (Daily 10am – 11pm)
Website: www.llgs.org.uk
This link on ther website, www.turingnetwork.org.uk, provides a directory of LGBT health services across the UK.
Terrence Higgins Trust — The charity’s vision is a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and reality for all. The Terrence Higgins Trust is generally considered the UK’s leading HIV and AIDS charity, and the largest in Europe.
Call Direct: 0808 802 1221
Website: www.tht.org.uk
Contact: info@tht.otg.uk
United States
Out & Equal — Works to achieve workplace equality for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, or characteristics. In addition, Out & Equal provides training and sensitivity resources to LGBT employees and corporations alike through advocacy, training programmes and events.
Call Direct: (415) 694.6500
Website: www.outandequal.org
Contact: info@outandequal.org
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force — Founded in 1973, this non-profit organisation works to build the grassroots power of the LGBT community.
Website: www.thetaskforce.org
Contact: info@TheTaskForce.org
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programmes (NCAVP) — A national organisation dedicated to reducing violence and its impacts on LGBT individuals in the US.
Website: www.avp.org
The Trevor Project — The Trevor Project is the leading national
organisation, in the US, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT teenagers, and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.
Crisis Helpline: 1-866-488-7386
Trevor Lifeline: 866-4.U.TREVOR [866.488.7386]
Telephone Contact:
Los Angeles: 310.271.8845
Main (Fax): 310.271.8846
New York: 212.509.0072
Website: www.thetrevorproject.org
Love Me As I Am 