LGBTQ+ Resources
NJ Gender Marker Change Application
https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/license/genderchange.pdf
NJ Adult Name Change
https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/name-change/name-change-adults
NJ MinorName Change
https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/name-change/name-change-minorPFLAG offers definitions, support groups (free!) and additional resources: https://pflag.org/
Hormone therapy information:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/masculinizing-hormone-therapy/about/pac-20385099
The Trevor Project – a national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call 1-866-488-7386 to connect with a trained counselor. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The LGBT National Help Center – call 1-888-843-4564. Open to callers of all ages. Provides peer-counseling, information, and local resources.
Trans Lifeline – call 1-877-565-8860 for a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs community members might have.
Local Resources to NJ, additionally listed on a local PFLAG website:
Campus Pride
The leading national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.
COLAGE – People with a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer parent
A national movement of children, youth, and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parents. They build communities and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy. Visit the website for the North Jersey Chapter (Rainbow Families of New Jersey).
College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students
LGBTQ+ students face a variety of obstacles, financial ones included. They may have less support from their families and more demands on their expenses. LGBTQ+ students might also have fewer resources to work with, as some may choose not to fill out the FAFSA because of fears over selecting a gender.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers – AddictionResource.net
New Jersey rehab centers provide a variety of inpatient rehab programs at multiple facilities throughout the state. Specialized programs, inpatient treatment, and medication-assisted treatment are some of the many rehab programs available here for LGBTQ+.
Fortunate Families – Catholic Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Designed for Catholic parents of GLBT children, but open to all faiths, the website is a place for parents to share and value their own stories, find information regarding Church teaching and pastoral responses, and find information regarding Church teaching and pastoral responses.
CDC’s LGBT youth resources list
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, has a great list of resources for LGBT youth and their friends, as well as for educators and parents.
GAAMC – Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County
Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County is the largest and oldest GLBTI group in New Jersey, started more than 35 years ago by 4 people looking for a place to meet others like themselves. Extensive programs and a yearly Pride Guide directory.
GALY-NJ – Gay and Lesbian Youth Network, New Jersey
stands for Gay and Lesbian Youth – New Jersey. GALY was for young people between 16 and 21 years old who identify themselves and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersex or questioning. GALY-NJ has outlived its need, and recently closed its meeting doors as youth has found new ways of finding and relating to eachother in a healthy way. (from GAAMC website)
GayPASG – Gay and Lesbian Political Action and Support Groups
Gay & Lesbian Political Action & Support Group, and the Task Force for Same-Sex Civil Marriage. Organized in May 1993 to focus on grass roots organizing for action in support of basic civil and human rights for all citizens; and to establish and sponsor a standing Religious Concerns Committee to counter the efforts of the Radical Religious Right.
GAYPASG operates a news clipping list which delivers 5-6 emails a day on topics related to their mission. To subscribe, sign the petition for Same-Sex Civil Marriage. See also the petition for Safe Schools.
Garden State Equality
An LGBT-rights advocacy organization with both political action and non-profit educational arms, GSE runs campaigns in favor of marriage equality and related issues across New Jersey.
GLAAD – Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
GLSEN – Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
GLSEN, The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, is gathering concerned teachers, administrators, students and parents to work together to end the destructive effects of anti-gay bias in schools.
Central NJ Chapter of GLSEN
Hi-TOPS – Health Interested Teens’ Own Program on Sexuality
HiTOPS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote adolescent health and well-being. They are based in Princeton, NJ, and provide clinical care and sexuality education for adolescents.
Human Rights Campaign
The HRC is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for LGBT Americans with more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 1980, the HRC advocates on behalf on LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office, and educates the public about LGBT issues.
It Gets Better Project
The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people that they will achieve happiness and success in their lives if they can just get through their teen years. The project aims to remind LGBT teens that they are not alone, and that it WILL get better.
Jersey Pride, Inc.
Jersey Pride, Inc. is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that produces NJ’s Annual June Pride Celebration in Asbury Park and NJ’s Magazine for our community, “The Jersey Gaze.”
Jersey Shore Q-Spot
This program, of the Jersey Shore Community Center Project, was established to foster the health, well being and pride of Monmouth and Ocean County’s GLBT community. The Jersey Shore Q Spot cares for individuals, groups and families in need and provides public education and outreach services that empower GLBT individuals and families to live their lives in freedom and dignity. Two programs of interest:
MyQSpot Teen Meeting: 7-9m, second Monday of the month, at the new VNA Community Health Center of Asbury Park, 1301 Main Street, back door of the building. A new “recreational club’ for GLBTI & Questioning teenagers. Fun and activities, including chatting, and sharing information, listening to music or playing different types of games. It is a place to “hang out” for just them. It is supervised by parents, QSpot volunteers, local educators and the Asbury Park Police are notified that teenagers are there. A safe and supervised place for kids to interact with other kids who share their concerns.
Trans-Central NJ: A safe and supportive atmosphere for all members of the transgendered community. Trinity Church Gym, 503 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park, NJ, first Sunday of the month. We are a transgendered support group focusing on all aspects of the gender spectrum from gender issues to understanding yourself and your community. For more information, contact Eli at frankie3832002@yahoo.com or call 732-604-1791.
Kaleidoscope
This monthly student-led meeting provides a safe, supportive environment for LGBT and allied teens to gather, socialize, organize, and help each other. Conveniently located in the Voorhees Town Center.
Lambda Legal
The major national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. See also their page on New Jersey issues.
LGBT Faith Sharing Ministry
The Church of the Precious Blood’s LGBT Faith Sharing Ministry welcomes and supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholic persons, their family and friends. We will share our faith through prayer, social justice and dialogue. Events providing an opportunity for fellowship and giving back will be planned and posted on the Precious Blood calendar.
We seek to engage the larger community in recognizing that we are all members of God’s family and that we each have a place at the Table of the Lord. ALL ARE WELCOME – whether you are LGBT, have an LGBT family member or loved one or just want to know more about this ministry, please know that YOU are welcome!
Meetings take place the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center located behind the church. Church of the Precious Blood – 72 Riverdale Avenue, Monmouth Beach NJ 07750
Please contact Father Bob (rfkap@aol.com), Dena Walter Reger (denareger@gmail.com) or Patti Forsman (lundforsman@verizon.net) with any questions.
NJLGC – The New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition
NJLGC is committed to fighting discrimination and enhancing the quality of lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed people in New Jersey through public advocacy, education, political action, and legal reform. Their Youth Resource Guide can be downloaded (PDF files).
Ocean’s Harbor House – Your Authentic Self LGBT Youth Support Group
In cooperation with Ocean Partnership, Harbor House offers a support group, Your Authentic Self (YAS), for LGBTQ teens and their allies (ages 10 -19) on Mondays at 5:30PM-7:30PM, with parents allowed to attend from 7:00-7:30, at their Outreach Center, 931 Fischer Boulevard, Unit 1, Belle Crest Plaza, Toms River, NJ 08753. The group is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. For more information, please call (732)-929-0660.
The Pride Center
The Pride Center provides comprehensive programming which fosters the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexed and questioning (LGBTIQ) community, and to increase public acceptance and champion social change for the LGBTIQ community through education and outreach.
Project R.E.A.L. (Real Empowerment on All Levels)
Project R.E.A.L. is a safe-space drop-in center for LGBT young adults ages 13-24 where they can come together and be themselves without risk of judgment. In this space, these young adults can relax, meet, and support each other within the community.
SAGE – Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders
Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (in New York City) is the world’s oldest and largest non-profit agency addressing the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elders. SAGE works with LGBT elders to address and overcome the challenges of discrimination in senior service settings, while also being an essential component in the creation of informal caregiving support, and development of new “family” networks.
SoulForce
SoulForce seeks “freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.”
Straight Spouse (and Significant Others) Network
Support group helping spouses/significant others who are affected by the coming out process of their partners, and advocate for the rights of gays/lesbians/transgendered. As a group, they believe if/when all members of society are accepted for who they are, rather than trying to conform to expectations, there would be no need for organizations such as theirs. In the meantime, they are there to help.
Student Experience Guide
Best Colleges partnered with Campus Pride to bring you the top colleges in the country for LGBTQ+ students. The ranking combines Academic and Affordability Metrics along with the Campus Pride Index score, which is a comprehensive national rating system that measures LGBTQ-friendly campus life.
TransYouth Family Advocates
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected. Their vision is of a society free of suicide and violence in which ALL children are respected and celebrated.
https://pflagjerseyshore.org/resources/lgbt-related-services-organizations/
A few useful websites:
1. http://www.transyouthequality.org/for-parents
2. https://pflag.org/ourtranslovedones
3. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Support-Resour ces-for-Families-of-Gender-Diverse-Youth.aspx
4. https://www.glsen.org
5. https://www.thetrevorproject.org
6. https://transgenderesources.com
7. NYC Resources for LGBTQ Youth
Books w/ Worksheets and thought provoking questions:
1. Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens
2. The Queer and Transgender Resilience Workbook (Skills for Navigating Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression)
3. You and Your Gender Identity: A Guide to Discovery
4. The Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults Exploring Gender Identity
5. The Reflective Workbook for Parents and Families of Transgender and Non-Binary Children: Your Transition as Your Child Transitions
6. The Reflective Workbook for Partners of Transgender People: Your Transition as Your Partner Transitions
Book for you to develop your clinical skills/learn about history:
1. A Clinician's Guide to Gender-Affirming Care: Working with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients
2. The Modern Clinician's Guide to Working with LGBTQ+ Clients
3. That's So Gay!: Microaggressions and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community
4. Transgender History, second edition: The Roots of Today's Revolution 5. A Queer History of the United States (REVISIONING HISTORY)
6. The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals Paperback 7. Trans Kids: Being Gendered in the Twenty-First Century
Practice Pronouns:
1. https://www.practicewithpronouns.com/#/?_k=j45ehm
Books for Youth:
1. Jack (Not Jackie)
2. A Kids Book About Gender
3. When Aiden Became a Brother
4. It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
5. What Are Your Words?: A Book About Pronouns
6. Who Are You?: The Kid's Guide to Gender Identity
7. They She He Me: Free to Be!
8. I Am Jazz
9. Jacob's New Dress
10. Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up
Resource for Suicidal Teens:
1. Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws