LGBTQIA+ Resources

Whether you need immediate help or just someone to talk to, there is support. You are not alone.

• Crisis Lines – Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays. Help is always available.
  • LGBTQIA Lifeline/The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386, Text START to 678678 or Chat
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Chat 
  • Virginia’s 24/7 LGBTQIA Helpline for Dating/Intimate Partner, Sexual Violence or Stalking: Call 866-356-6998, Text 804-793-9999 or Chat 
  • Doorways (Arlington Specific support for Intimate Partner/Dating Violence and Sexual Assault): Call 703-237-0881
• Help Lines – Available specific hours
  • LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564. Visit their website to learn more about their services and hours (they are not available 24/7).
  • Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860. Visit their website to learn more about their services and hours (they are not available 24/7).
  • LGBT National Youth Talk Line: 1-800-246-PRIDE. Visit their website to learn more about their services and hours (they are not available 24/7).

Housing, Food, and Financial Support Services:

• Food Assistance
  • Food Assistance: Arlington County provides support in the form of food assistance or SNAP benefit to all those who qualify.
  • Food & Friends: Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that provides home-delivered, specialized meals and nutrition counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses. Services are free-of-charge to recipients, who qualify solely based on their health status and nutritional need.
• Financial Support
  • Financial Support: Arlington County provides support in the form of utility assistance, clothing, childcare benefits and more to all those who qualify.
• Housing:
  • Shelter and Safe Housing in Arlington. Every shelter in Arlington (those for single individuals or families of any composition) welcomes all members of our community, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Shelter services are accessed through a centralized access system for all persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
  • HIV Resources Project of Northern Virginia: Northern Virginia Regional Commission’s website featuring information for people living with HIV/AIDS to find housing.
• Safe and Supportive Businesses
  • Virginia Fairness: Maintains Equality Means Business directory. Business owners must sign a pledge that protects their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees, as well as affirming that they would never turn away customers or clients based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Dating/Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Resources:

• Doorways Safehouse and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline: Serves ALL survivors of violence, including LGBTQIA survivors. Intimate partner violence occurs across all populations. Every program Doorways operates (Hotline, Shelter, Next-Step Housing, Revive Counseling Center, and Court Advocacy) is staffed with persons trained in supporting survivors who identify as LGBTQIA , as well as staff who identify as LGBTQIA .  Doorways is here for every survivor in our community.
  • Doorways 24-Hour Confidential Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-237-0881.
• Virginia’s 24/7 LGBTQIA Helpline for Dating/Intimate Partner, Sexual Violence or Stalking (Virginian Antiviolence Project):
  • Call 866*356*6998, Text 804-793-9999 or Chat

     

Legal Services and Support:

• Just Neighbors: Provides services to immigrants and refugees who quality for humanitarian-based immigration relief. Most of their clients are survivors of domestic violence, violent crimes or persecution. Their goal is to help everyone who qualifies for their services access the immigration legal services they deserve.
• Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV): LSNV is the largest legal aid organization in Northern Virginia, helping thousands of clients each year in civil legal matters. They partner closely with other legal aid organizations, state and local bar associations, and the courts to serve the region’s low-income and neediest populations.
• Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal is a national nonprofit organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
• Transgender Law Center: Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, we employ a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.
• TransLaw:  Nonprofit that provides free gender and name change clinics through Whitman-Walker. Provides funding for anyone who cannot afford the fees associated with changing name and gender markers.

Physical/Mental Health and Medical Resources:

• Adult Behavioral and Mental Health Services: Arlington County offers many types of assistance for adults seeking mental health services. Bilingual staff are available, and all services are strictly confidential.
• Arlington Free Clinic: Arlington Free Clinic provides free, high-quality healthcare to low-income, uninsured Arlington County adults through the generosity of donors and volunteers.
• Chase Brexton (Trans* Healthcare): Helps to ensure quality informed care for trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and others who have health care needs that are often overlooked by conventional health care organizations.
• Child and Youth Behavioral and Mental Health Services: As with physical health, our mental health develops and changes as we get older, and it is important at every stage of life. Everyone has mental health, and it can range from being good at times to not so good (even poor) at other times. It’s at these times that Arlington County services can help.
•  Family Planning Clinic: Arlington DHS provides family planning services for people of all sexual orientations, including basic GYN care, birth control, STI screening, and pregnancy testing. 
• GLMA- Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQIA Equality: Are you lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer and looking for a healthcare professional you can trust? GLMA’s online Provider Directory can help. Search for primary care providers, specialists, therapists, dentists and other health professionals in your area. The service is free and you do not need to register.
• HIV/STI Clinics and Services: Arlington DHS provides testing, treatment, education and referral for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
• National Drug Helpline – LGBTQ Addiction Guide: Learn more about how substance abuse disorders affect the LGBTQIA community in this guide from the National Drug Helpline.
• Mental Health Services in Arlington Public Schools: Counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses receive specialized training to better assist LGBTQ students.
• NOVA Salud: Improves and strengthens the health and well-being of the community through culturally competent and language-appropriate HIV/AIDS services and prevention education.
  • Free condom program: Request free condoms by mail.
• Start Your Recovery: Learn about drug and alcohol challenges among LGBTQIA individuals and the treatment options available.
• Teen Health Clinic: Arlington DHS provides low-cost or no-cost services to teens regardless of gender or sexual orientation, including free condoms, testing for pregnancy and STIs, and pregnancy and STI prevention methods including birth control and Plan B. 
• Whitman-Walker: Offers affirming community-based health and wellness services to all with a special expertise in LGBTQIA and HIV care. Whitman-Walker’s mission is to empower all persons to live healthy, love openly, and achieve equality and inclusion.
• VA League of Planned Parenthood: Sexual healthcare and information.

   

Find a safe and supportive faith or spiritual community:

• Equality Virginia: LGBTQ Welcoming Faith Communities: This directory features a list of LGBTQ-welcoming faith communities in Virginia. 
• Dignity/Washington and Dignity/NoVa: Non-profit organizations that provides Catholic services for the LGBTQIA community.
• Institute for Welcoming Resources: A project of the National LGBTQIA Task Force, this provides tools to help faith communities become affirming, as well as links (at the bottom) to Christian denominational welcoming orgs.
• Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia (MCC): Founded in 1968, MCC has been at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements by addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, economics, climate change, aging, and global human rights. MCC was the first to perform same gender marriages and has been on the forefront of the struggle towards marriage equality.
• The Reformation Project: Bible-based, Christian grassroots organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBTQIA people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Social Organizations, Peer Support and Advocacy:

• Equality Arlington - A nonprofit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of LGBTQ+ residents in Arlington, VA. Equality Arlington works with state and local government, nonprofits, and private sector organizations to address unmet needs and create an affirming community for LGBTQ+ residents. Has monthly meetings open to everyone with more information on the website.
• Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA): AGLA is a strong beacon for EQUALITY. It’s a nonpartisan nonprofit open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQIA ) people and allies. AGLA provides socials, fosters civic awareness, and engages in community service. Regardless of where you reside, AGLA welcomes you. Check out their Resource Page!
• Arlington Human Rights Commission: The Human Rights Commission receives, investigates and conciliates complaints — free of charge — from those who believe they have been victims of unlawful discrimination. The Commission’s investigative and hearing processes usually result in complaints resolution. If necessary, the Commission can, with County Board approval, seek enforcement of its decisions in court.
• Arlington County LGBT Employee Resource Group: A social and advocacy group for LGBTQIA Arlington County employees.
• DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS): Peer facilitated social and support group for anyone who was assigned female at birth but believes this is an inaccurate or incomplete description of who they are. Welcomes all persons, regardless of gender, gender expression, or sexual identity.
  • D.C. Area Transgender Ladies Socials and Events (DCATS)
  • More Resources.
• DC Front Runners:  Running, walking, and social club for LGBTQIA people and their friends in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
• DoD Pride: The Department of Defense’s official LGBT employee resource group.
• Equality Virginia: Equality Virginia is the leading advocacy organization in Virginia seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. EV believes in a truly inclusive Commonwealth where all are equally valued, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and a Virginia that is a safe, welcoming, and equal place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families to live, work, and play.
• Impacto LGBT: A group of members of the Latinx LGBT community of Northern Virginia, committed to meeting the unique needs of the Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities, while taking charge, responsibility and the necessary actions to create changes. For information in English, visit their Facebook page.
• LGBTQIA Cancer Support Group: A support group for individuals living with cancer and survivors of cancer who are members of the LGBTQIA community and live in the DMV area. Meetings take place over Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Email kaitlyn.odonnell@inova.org to register or to learn more.
• Metro Area Gender Identity Connection (MAGIC DC): Peer support group for transsexual, gender queer and other gender identity questioning people living in the greater Washington DC Metropolitan Area.
• National Center for Transgender Equality: Non-profit advocacy group with many resources specific to the transgender community.
• NOVA Pride: NOVA Pride is a nonprofit whose mission is to cultivate and grow a coalition to educate, advocate and celebrate in service to the LGBTQIA community of Northern Virginia and their straight allies. NOVA Pride seeks to provide a unified voice to LGBTQIA Northern Virginians- enhancing visibility and relevance in the DMV region.
• Transgender Education Association (TGEA): Non-profit corporation that seeks to serve the needs and interests of all the people in the gender community, those affected by our community, and those who serve our community
• Washington Blade: The oldest LGBT newspaper in the U.S. covering the latest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender news in Washington, D.C. and around the world.
• Virginia Pride: Community program involvement and scholarship opportunities for post high school education expenses in the LGBTQ community.

   

• Y’ALLS – Youth Advocacy and Leadership Learning through Social Support – meet the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6pm. It is for youth ages 13-18 and is focused on LGBTQ issues. If you are interested in being a part of Y’ALLS please contact Julie@SafeSpaceNOVA.org or fill out this interest form: bit.ly/RegisterforYALLS
• ALY – Arlington LGBTQIA Youth & Allies: Component of PFLAG-Arlington. A safe-space gathering for area youth ages 12 – 19 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer and allies of LGBTQIA youth.  Hang out in a supportive atmosphere, meet other teens, and have fun!
• Arlington LGBTQIA Teen Book Club: Meets monthly during the school year at the Central Library.
• Arlington Teen Health Clinic: All services are Laws and Your Privacy: If you are a teen under the age of 18, in the State of Virginia under Title X, you do not need a parent/guardian to give permission for birth control, family planning, testing or treatment for STIs or any infectious disease that the State requires to be reported. We encourage you to include your parent/guardian in your health care decisions. They may know important information about your medical history, help you explore health care options, and be there to support you!
• Camp Free2Be: a one-week day camp in Arlington for transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth. We serve campers ages 6-14, and also have a volunteer junior counselor program for ages 15-18. 
• Gay Straight Alliance Clubs: GSA clubs seek to create a safe space for LGBTQIA youth and foster understanding in heterosexual peers. Contact your middle or high school counselor or club sponsor for details.
• GenOUT: A Youth Chorus open to all young people ages 13-18 (LGBTQIA and allies).
• Gender Spectrum: Information and resources for youth.
• GLSEN: A great resources for LGBTQIA youth and Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs).
• SAFE SPACE NOVA: Safe Space NOVA is dedicated to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment to combat social stigmas, bullying, and other challenges faced by LGBT youth.
• SAIL - Scaffolding Advocacy and Inclusive Leadership.: SAIL promotes understanding and awareness for all through education and connections. A fundamental part of SAIL’s mission is empowering LGBTQIA+ youth through our sub-group, Advocacy, Mentorship, Partnership, Leadership, and Inclusivity For Youth, (AMPLIFY). AMPLIFY groups are virtual, youth-led groups for ages 11 - 22. 
• QChatSpace: Online Community for LGBTQ+ Teens. Find and give support, have fun, connect around shared interests, and get good information. Chat with like-minded peers in live chats designed for you & by you, facilitated by folks who care. Learn more. 
• Queer Kid Stuff is an LGBTQ+ and social justice website for kids and families. The site includes links to helpful resources, videos, and more. You can learn more about the site by watching Lindsay Amer’s TED Talk HERE. 
• Scholarship Opportunities:
  • SMYAL LGBT Youth Leadership Awards and Student-Athlete Scholarship for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender Students
  • HRC Scholarship Database:  Scholarships, fellowships, and grants for LGBTQIA and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

• Arlington Aging and Disability Services: Learn about the resources available to Arlington County residents.
• SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders.

• He She Ze & We: an inclusive community comprised of parents, caregivers, and loved ones of transgender and non-binary children of all ages. He She Ze & We is a statewide organization based in Richmond that supports families throughout their journey with gender identity, including support meetings, education of caregivers, schools and communities and advocacy work. Meetings are held throughout Virginia on multiple days each month, both in person and virtually. To contact the NoVa facilitator, email liz@heshezewe.org.
• PFLAG National: PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQIA ) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated, and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
  • PFLAG Arlington
  • PFLAG Metro DC
• Trans* Peer Led Support- Second Fridays: Second Friday’s offers peer-led support group for members and friends of the transgender and gender expansive community. Information and locations of the meetings, please contact us at info@mccnova.com.