We are a small NGO with big goals. We strive for equity, liberation,and happiness for all. To achieve this, we are working for LGBTQIAP+ adults and families. Our services are multiple and varied:1
We do TRAININGS: These are big and small: tailored to health and human services providers, social
workers, nurses, doctors, administrations, students, anyone who wants to be part of
the change in affirming LGBTQIAP lives.We usually organize two large scale trainings
per year specifically for health and human services providers.
We also offer trainings for your office, staff, and/or clients: Would you like to learn more about LGBTQIAP populations? Would you like to be more affirming towards LGBTQIAP people but are unsure how? We can help you with that. We offer LGBTQ 101, Introduction to Sexual and Gender Diversity, Privilege and its effects, Changing forms and making your work more LGBTQIAP friendly and affirming. These are free of charge and our staff would be more than happy to tailor these trainings to your needs. Want to learn more? Contact us. Do you need a training? Fill out our training form and we'll contact you as soon as possible.
Family Events/ Pride and Joy Families: We are a network of hundreds of LGBTQ-led families that offers social support, education, and a sense of community to adults and children.We organize family events and activities for LGBTQ led families and their children. We have a yearly Family Fun Day where we offer workshops for adults and lots of activities for children.
Information and Referrals: If you are an LGBTQ family or individuals with questions or needs about family building or finding the best provider for you or for someone you love and do not know where to begin, we can help. Part of our mission is to help you navigate health and human services systems, learn your family building options,or find that therapist for your transitioning child.
Directory of LGBTQIAP+ affirming providers: We maintain a list of providers who have indicated that they are LGBTQ friendly. While some have simply vocalized their belief in equity and coexistence, others have taken futher steps and also attended intense cultural competency trainings. If you would like to find a provider for a specific need or if you are not sure about who to call for your needs, contact us and we'll refer you to the right provider.
Creating and maintaining LGBTQIAP+ related Resources: In addition to providers, we create useful resources that you may want to explore: Are you a parent looking for a PFLAG meeting (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) or want learn more about DASA (Dignity for all Student Act) and back to school tips? Are you looking for information regarding specific programs for LGBTQIAP people of color? Looking for what is out there for MSM? Check our resources section to learn more.
Research: We publish Calls for Research concerning LGBTQIAP+ people and families. In addition, thanks to our MSAC (Multidisciplinary Scholarly Advisory Board), we also support academic research particularly investing in LGBTQIAP+ serving providers health and human services. For more information on research, please check our research page.
Community Health Scholars Program (CHS): Our Community Health Scholars Program was created to support the development of students, advocates, and practitioners dedicated to providing and improving culturally responsive healthcare services to the LGBTQ+ community. Each year, we select an exceptional cohort of interdisciplinary scholars to implement community engagement projects, build a transformative learning community, and engage in liberation-oriented training. Our LGBTQ+ Community Health Scholars are future leaders working to facilitate meaningful change in healthcare and healthcare education.
Our scholars can receive up to $3,000 in funding and attend bimonthly retreats, foster connections with each other and or other community stakeholders, discuss needs of and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in their work, reflect on the context of identity development and queer experiences, create community project and resources, reimagine possibilities of self and systems.
