How to Find Specialized LGBTQ+ Trauma Resources
By Claire Moacdieh
Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community comes with many joys and struggles, and can be traumatizing if you are not treated as an equal. Maybe your friends and family have made you feel wrong for who you are. Being abused or even kicked out is an unfortunate but real risk that many queer people face. No matter how you identify, whether you are lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer, you are valid, and you deserve support. &Rise is here to help. &Rise counselors and support group facilitators have received specialized training on creating an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ people who need our services. We focus on serving women and we also welcome nonbinary individuals.
Recent studies show that people who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience harassment, domestic violence, and discrimination. Another report says that young people in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to experience bullying, which can lead to mental health troubles as adults.
Despite the challenges that LGBTQ+ women can face, finding the right resources can be an important way to keep you and your loved ones safe. Access to healthcare, mental health resources, and legal services can help you find your way forward.
If you are looking for resources and support, either for yourself or a loved one, you have come to the right place.
How to Start Looking for LGBTQ+ Trauma Resources
Whether you’re questioning or you’ve been comfortable with your identity for years, finding the right support for your current needs can be hard. There are plenty of groups that help with gender and identity exploration, services that focus on trauma healing and mental health, and other organizations that provide support with needs like food and housing. Most people need a combination of these, and each person’s needs will evolve at different stages of their journey.
If you feel safe and comfortable with your friends and family, you can tell them about your identity. Having community support can help fight against feelings of isolation and can boost mental health.
If you know an LGBTQ+ person who may be struggling, you can approach them with kindness. It is important to not make assumptions about anyone’s identity, to stay open-minded, and to approach these conversations with kindness. Being lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer is a valid experience. Everyone experiences their identity differently.
If you are in an uncertain or unsafe situation, you might need to look outside your circle of family and friends for support. Consider this list of resources:
Chicago-Specific Resources For LGBTQ+ Survivors
1. &Rise
If you are looking to heal from trauma and abuse, therapy might be a good first step. In the Chicago area, &Rise offers free therapy sessions to women and girls over the age of thirteen, held by licensed clinicians, and focused on holistic treatment. These sessions are 100% confidential, and are designed to help you through trauma and abuse. They are free of charge and do not require insurance.
2. Affinity 95
Affinity is a social justice organization serving the needs of Black members of the LGBTQ+ community, with a special focus on Black women. They offer peer-led groups that focus specifically on supporting Black LGBTQ+ people in Southside Chicago. Peer support groups can be a good way to build solidarity and grow community. You are not alone.
3. Howard Brown Health
If you are in the Chicago area, and have had trouble finding care that affirms LGBTQ+ experiences, Howard Brown Health might be able to help you find the right care. They are rooted in LGBTQ+ liberation, by providing affirming healthcare and taking action for social justice. They offer a wide range of health services, including pediatric services, transgender affirming care, and psychiatry. They also have resources specific to trauma.
4. Chicago House
Chicago House supports people who have been impacted by HIV with housing, health, and employment services. Each year, they serve more than 3,000 people. Their housing services focus specifically on community-based housing and residential housing.
5. Legal Resources in Cook County
If you are in a serious situation that requires legal support, and you live in the state of Illinois, The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) provides free legal services to survivors of sexual harm. For a broad range of LGBTQ+ focused care, Lambda Legal is another group who serves the LGBTQ+ community as well as people living with HIV. They have an office in Chicago, as well as in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Decatur (Georgia), and Washington D.C.
Another organization provides service for the LGBTQ+ community is The Transformative Justice Project of Illinois. They offer legal assistance that prioritizes community care. They currently offer free name change representation for minors and people with criminal convictions.
4. More Resources
For more resources, you can look through the list provided by Equality Illinois. This list includes legal resources for a wide range of people (including immigrants and transgender people), youth services, health resources, and information for services outside of Cook County.
LGBTQ+ Resources Across the United States
1. Therapy and counselling resources
Therapy and counseling can be a great first step for healing. If you are looking for resources outside of the Chicago area, you can consult official websites like Psychology Today or Grow Therapy to find LGBTQ+ affirming therapists in your area. Grow Therapy requires insurance to search for therapists.
2. The LGBTQ+ Health Directory
Working with doctors and healthcare providers who do not understand LGBTQ+ challenges can be traumatic. It is important to feel safe and comfortable with your healthcare workers. The LGBTQ+ Health Directory is a website that can locate healthcare providers in your area who focus on LGBTQ+ affirming care. It is a free, searchable database of doctors, medical professionals, and healthcare providers. No matter where you are, you deserve the right care.
3. The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people, providing information and support 24/7. Their crisis care is free, confidential, and secure, and is available all day and all night, run by counselors who are trained to support LGBTQ+ young people nationwide. They also offer peer support groups for people aged 13-24.
Transgender-Specific Resources in and out of Chicago
1. Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a hotline run by and for transgender people in crisis. They work to provide peer support, community support, harm reduction tools, and confidential care. They have answered over 150,000 calls, and they have over 600 trained phone operators.
2. Chicagoland Trans
Chicagoland Trans is a website that has resources for transgender people and allies.
3. More resources
GLAAD is a nonprofit organization who focuses on LGBTQ+ advocacy. Their list of resources for transgender people includes transgender organizations, transgender programs, and general information.
PFLAG Illinois is another organization that has a wide range of resources.
Personalized Support Is Essential for Trauma Healing
Generations of LGBTQ+ people have faced unique challenges. Today, there are many support options that can help you and your loved ones thrive. Finding the right resources can be a difficult process, but please know that you are not alone in your struggles.
At &Rise, we provide free therapy and support groups to trauma survivors in Illinois who are women or non-binary. If you’re looking for a healing-focused community where you can feel safe talking about trauma, this may be the place for you. Try stopping by one of our virtual or in-person support groups to get to know us.
If you are looking for more resources to support you through trauma and abuse, consider subscribing to our newsletter for a weekly dose of empowerment, news about our support groups, and notifications for upcoming events. You can also check out our Events Page to see what’s coming up.
