Grassroots Organizations

A dichotomy exists in LGBT grassroots organizing – on one hand, there is a prevention aspect that aims to provide meaningful education, discussion, and safeguards for LGBT students and their peers. On the other hand, there is a network of services, both grassroots and otherwise, that aim to assist and serve LGBT youth when their lives are in crisis. When discussing anti-LGBT bullying and Grassroots projects, presenting both sides of the coin are necessary to fully understand the response.

Prevention –

Outright Youth of Catawba Valley (NC)
A group of health and educational professionals working in North Carolina to provide bullying prevention education, health services, and crisis intervention assistance.

Heartland Trans Wellness Group (Midwest)
A group providing anti-LGBT bullying education, with the aim to shed light on a problem often forgotten in the area.

aMaze of Minneapolis
A group of former-educators, as well as parents, and community members working to provide meaningful educational resources that go beyond making the link between LGBT youth and disease

FIERCE (NYC)
A group of young people aiming to foster leadership among LGBT students of color, allowing them to better advocate for themselves and their communities. 

Audre Lorde Project
An organizing center operating in NYC serving LGBTQIA and other gender non-conforming individuals of color, providing training, education, and community services, aimed at improving youth experiences.

 

Intervention –

Safe Schools NC
In addition to providing educational tools, this organization provides crisis intervention for LGBT youth. Additionally it aims to tackle bullying through in-school training and education.

San Francisco Suicide Prevention
Local nonprofit working to provide education, spread information, and operate crisis intervention for anyone near suicide. (*Not specifically working for LGBT community, but provides extensive LGBTQIA services, especially for youth)

The Night Ministry Chicago – Open Door Program
The Night Ministry provides emergency shelter for all sections of society, however its Open Door program works specifically for Chicago LGBT youth who have nowhere else to go, working against LGBT youth homelessness.