From services that protect homeless LGBTQ+ youth to mental health services for queer and trans people, these nonprofits are fighting for change in many different areas. Consider donating your time or money to these important causes.

Protect LGBTQ Youth

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services—including a 24-hour hotline, chat, and texting—for LGBTQ+ youths under age 25. The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found a harrowing statistic: 45 percent of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. The organization works to change this through intervention, education, and advocating for laws and policies that protect LGBTQ young people.

True Colors United

Estimates show that LGBTQ youth make up to about 40 percent of America’s homeless youth population. True Colors United, founded by Cyndi Lauper in 2008, offers free training and resources to youth homeless services to make sure they are safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ young people.

GLSEN

GLSEN (pronounced “glisten”) works to end bullying, discrimination, and harrassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in K-12 schools. The organization’s goal is to make sure all kids have a safe and supportive place to learn.

Support LGBTQ Elders

SAGE

Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) is a non-profit working to improve the lives of LGBTQ older people. The organization focuses on advocacy, housing initiatives, training of eldercare providers, educating LGBTQ elders about their rights, and more.

GLAD

This group of legal advocates and defenders fights on behalf of LGBTQ people and those living with HIV. With the belief that every person deserves full equality under the law, GLAD’s legal cases and advocacy cover everything from housing, to employment, to health care. Want to get involved? You can donate money or sign up to volunteer in GLAD’s Boston office.

LGBTQ Freedom Fund

LGBTQ individuals are three times more likely to be jailed—and they’re also at increased risk of abuse while incarcerated. By posting bail for LGBTQ people who can’t afford to pay bail in U.S. jails and immigration facilities, this organization works against mass incarceration and the life-threatening reality that 40 percent of suicides in jails occur within the first week.

Fund Mental Health Services

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color

Dedicated to transforming mental health services for queer and trans people of color, this organization manages a directory of practitioners, provides healing justice training, and leads local and regional meetups, as well as webinars. They also created the Mental Health Fund in 2017 to provide financial assistance to queer and trans people of color so they can increase access to mental health care.

Protect Black Trans Lives

Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Named after Marsha P. Johnson, a gay liberation activist and self-identified drag queen who was one of the leaders of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in NYC, this organization defends the human rights of Black transgender people. Their initiatives focus on everything from providing financial support to community members, to fighting gun violence, to increasing access to quality education.

The Okra Project

According to a report conducted by the National LGBTQ Task Force, 34 percent of Black trans people report living in extreme poverty. Serving people in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York, The Okra Project aims to combat this crisis by bringing healthy, home-cooked, and culturally specific meals to Black trans people experiencing food insecurity, and by hiring Black trans cooks and staff.

Promote More Inclusive Media

GLAAD

Founded by LGBTQ members of the media, GLAAD promotes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans inclusion in the media and advertising. By sharing stories from the LGBTQ+ community, GLAAD aims to increase awareness and acceptance.