Supporting LGBT+ Youth
Ways to support the LGBT+ youth we serve, including organizations and resources they can access, as well as books, podcasts and webinars
Books (1 CEU per 100 pages max 4 per book)
Books (1 CEU per 100 pages max 4 per book)
(Did you know BVFC has a library with many of these titles available?)
The Tradition: Jericho Brown's daring new book The Tradition details the normalization of evil and its history at the intersection of the past and the personal. Brown's poetic concerns are both broad and intimate, and at their very core a distillation of the incredibly human: What is safety? Who is this nation? Where does freedom truly lie? Brown makes mythical pastorals to question the terrors to which we've become accustomed, and to celebrate how we survive. Purchase Here
The Stonewall Reader: June 28, 2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, which is considered the most significant event in the gay liberation movement, and the catalyst for the modern fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States. Drawing from the New York Public Library’s archives, The Stonewall Reader is a collection of first accounts, diaries, periodic literature, and articles from LGBTQ magazines and newspapers that documented both the years leading up to and the years following the riots. Purchase Here
Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us “I know I’m not a man… and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m probably not a woman, either... The trouble is, we’re living in a world that insists we be one or the other.” With these words, Kate Bornstein ushers’ readers on a funny, fearless, and wonderfully scenic journey across the terrains of gender and identity. On one level, Gender Outlaw details Bornstein’s transformation from heterosexual male to lesbian woman, from a one-time IBM salesperson to a playwright and performance artist. But this particular coming-of-age story is also a provocative investigation into our notions of male and female. Purchase Here
Podcasts (1 CEU each)
Out with It: Time Out Youth Center presents Out with It, a genre-fluid podcast for LGBT+ youth, the LGBT+ community, and their allies. Every episode, Center staff sit down with LGBT+ youth and hear their stories, their wisdom, and their perspective on the topics relevant to them.
Making Gay History: Since 2016, Making Gay History has been bringing the largely hidden history of the LGBT+ civil rights movement to life through the voices of the people who lived it. During the unfolding pandemic, we’re revisiting people from our episode archive who inspire us and give us hope. Find these latest episodes below or by subscribing here. *Making Gay History operates under the non-profit umbrella of GLSEN, an organization that believes that every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education.
LGBTQ&A: An interview podcast that documents the stories of the LGBTQ community — all races, genders, sexualities, and everyone in between.
Documentaries, Films, and Movies (1 CEU each)
This 2 part course, derived from the All Children - All Families training series, will provide adoptive, foster and kinship families and professionals with a deeper understanding of the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth today with an emphasis on the three pillars of child welfare: safety, permanency, and well-being. Research demonstrating the over-representation of LGBTQ youth in care as well as disparities they experience -- including higher rates of bias, harassment and violence, as well as a higher likelihood of being placed in congregate care settings -- will be explored.
Organizations with additional resources (1 CEU each)
Human Rights Campaign (Supporting LGBT+ Children and Youth): The Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation together serve as America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBT+ equality. By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. At the Intersection: Race, Sexuality and Gender is a report on a study to better understand what’s important to LGBT+ people of color. And LGBTQ Youth in the Foster Care System gives an overview of this population. Faith-based resources are also available.
Youth.gov: Youth.gov is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
Child Welfare League of America: CWLA is a coalition of hundreds of private and public agencies that since 1920 has worked to serve children and families who are vulnerable. Their expertise, leadership and innovation on policies, programs, and practices help improve the lives of millions of children across the country.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Teens: Facts for Teens and Their Parents: If you’ve ever wondered if you’re gay, lesbian, or bisexual, you’re not alone. Many teens ask themselves this question, and here are ways to find some answers. For parents and caregivers, finding out your son or daughter is gay, lesbian, or bisexual can present challenges. Learn more about how to be supportive.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Resources from the CDC, other government agencies, and community organizations for LGBT+ Youth, their friends, educators, parents, and family members to support positive environments.
Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Works to ensure that LGBT+ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.
Q Chat Space: Provides online discussion groups for LGBT+ teens ages 13 to 19. It is not a forum. It is live and chat based; there is no video or audio. Conversations are facilitated by experienced staff who work at LGBT+ centers around the country. Q Chat Space facilitators are NOT mental health professionals.
It Gets Better Project: A nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe
Online Modules
Pride Teach-Out (5 CEU total): From the University of Michigan, this is a 5-hour mini-course that focuses on the history of Pride and what it means for individuals and communities today.
LGBTQ Learning modules (1 CEU each): From the University of Maryland, these Modules provide a range of webinars on Trans Inclusive Language and Practices, LGBTQ+ Terminology and Concepts, LGBTQ+ People of Color and Intersectionality and LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Classroom
Connecting: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Training for Caregivers and Kinship Providers (eLearning) (2 CEU hours): From the School of Social Work at the University of Washington; This is a training that focuses on learning to support children and youth who may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity or who may identify as LGTBQ+. While the training focuses through the lens of caregivers, it is important to complete this training so that all children and youth in care feel safe, accepted and supported. To access the online training click this link and create a login. To access a workbook supplement click here.
"As a CASA, you make a meaningful difference in a child's life - a child that doesn't have many people looking out for them."
"Every child deserves a safe environment to grow up in, including a roof over their head, nutritious food in the belly, and an opportunity for education. I'm happy to be a part of the process by being a caring adult who can help a child receive those things."
"There is nothing like the feeling of earning a hug from a child who is generally suspicious of everybody. It's amazing what your calm, regular, and reliable presence can do for a child in need. This is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities out there!"