Here you will find a list of ongoing LGBTQ+ resources for educators, coaches, school administrators, parents, and the community. Please connect with me if there is something you would like to see added to this list.
Youth & Teen Athletics Resources
Athlete Ally - Athlete Ally's mission is to end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality. ATHLETICS
Campus Pride: Athletics - Campus Pride serves LGBTQ and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give “voice and action” in building future LGBTQ and ally student leaders.
Compete Sports Diversity - Compete Sports Diversity is the global network of LGBTQ+ athletes, sports fans, leaders and allies sharing resources and connections that empower our community and promote diversity and inclusion.
Equality Coaching Alliance is an informal support network of LGBTQ+ individuals at every level of sports. This Facebook group is committed to promoting visibility for LGBTQ+ coaches, administrators, officials, and sports professionals at the high school, college, professional and club levels.
GLAAD: Sports - GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
GLSEN: Changing the Game - GLSEN's Changing the Game is a groundbreaking program that started in 2011 to give resources for educators and students to ensure that physical education classes and athletics are inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals. Explore and learn our revised and expanded program, which includes updated and new resources, educational training, engagement opportunities, and stories from LGBTQ+ young athletes and their supporters.
Human Rights Campaign: Play to Win - A special look into the state of LGBTQ inclusion in youth sports.
The Inclusion Playbook - The Inclusion Playbook is a Sports Impact project led by civil rights advocate and former Division 1 athlete Ashland Johnson with the goal of empowering social change agents to transform communities in and through sports.
LGBT SportSafe - LGBT SportSafe Inclusion Program utilizes a new benchmarking framework, the 3-Peat Model, to help athletic leadership champion a culture of respect and inclusion. The 3-Peat Model addresses the importance of Programming, Policy and Public Awareness at all levels of sport, while offering incentives to institutions, teams and leagues that reach inclusion goals.
Quantum Gender redefines the way that your company or sports organization thinks about gender. Founder Kaig Lightner transforms the culture into one that embraces people of all gender identities and expressions. But this goes beyond just checking the diversity box of inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees or coaches. He goes deeper into the issues of sexism, privilege, and patriarchy. Kaig's extensive experience as a licensed soccer coach for 25 years, Founding Executive Director of Portland Community Football Club and lived experience as a transgender man has made him uniquely qualified to address the toughest issues around gender inclusivity, homophobia, and transphobia in the sports industry. Everyone has a gender identity. Quantum Gender is here to make sure your organization or business excels at being inclusive of all genders.
NCAA - This resource serves as a guide to ensure athletics departments are providing an environment that is inclusive of all student-athletes, especially those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or questioning. Included in this resource are samples of policies and codes of conduct; additional resources for coaches, players and staff; and LGBTQ inclusion training best practices. Champions of Respect is a tremendous resource for guidance on collegiate-level inclusion.
NCLR’s Sports Project aims to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender players, coaches, and administrators receive fair and equal treatment—free of discrimination. Founded in 2001, the Sports Project has litigated cases on behalf of LGBTQ athletes and coaches, advised schools and athletic associations, and convened key coalitions to combat homophobia and transphobia in sports.
Outsports.com - Here you will find a plethora of coming out stories, information about advocacy of LGBTQ professionals in athletics, and general sports fan news. The Outsports.com YouTube Channel is a tremendous hub for celebrations and education around LGBTQ+ inclusion in athletics.
In partnership with Outsports, and my friend Cyd Zeigler, we have developed the most comprehensive list of resources for High School coaches, athletes, parents, and advocates. At Outsports' main site landing-page, readers will find:
Return on Inclusion - Return On Inclusion™ (ROI) is a sport-specific diversity and inclusion education platform dedicated to developing inclusive leaders and fostering a culture of belonging across social and cultural differences. Our self-paced modules standardize learning methods, deepening our commitment to help every coach and athletic administrator develop the skills and competencies necessary to support student-athletes and achieve inclusive excellence in programs, policies and practices.
The Ryan O’Callaghan Foundation (ROFDN) exists to provide scholarships, support and mentorship for LGBTQ+ athletes, students and youth. At the ROFDN, we believe that we must begin to redraw our definitions of what defines a person.
Transathlete.com - Transathlete.com is a resource for students, athletes, coaches, and administrators to find information about trans inclusion in athletics at various levels of play. This site pulls together existing information in one central location, and breaks down information into easy-to-reference areas to help you find what you need.
Unmatched Athlete is a Maryland-based non-profit that encourages youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies ages 5 – 18 to participate in sports and fitness. We encourage our youth to explore their athletic creativity and become well-versed student athletes that excel beyond their time in school. Our hope is that every youth that participates in our organization becomes an instrumental member of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
U. S. Center for SAFESPORT - Our mission is to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.
You Can Play - The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. We achieve this by creating a community of allies that is able to foster a true sense of belonging. This becomes possible when sports teams sharpen the focus on the person’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Youth Celebrate Diversity: Inclusive Sports and Activities - We support student athletes and activity participants making their teams and groups inclusive and welcoming for everyone’s benefit.
The Women's Sports Foundation is building a future where every girl and woman can play, be active, and realize her full potential. We’re building a movement of movement. Through Research. Advocacy. Community impact. And Partnerships. It’s time to transform the game so that every girl and woman can realize her power. LGBTQ+ athletes face stigmas and discrimination that inhibit their access to competition. In order for all girls and women to participate in and gain the benefits of sports, schools and sport governing bodies should provide inclusive environments that offer safe and equitable opportunities to participate.
K-12 LGBTQ+ Curriculum Resources
History UnErased: Our mission is bringing LGBTQ US history into the mainstream curriculum to ensure all students, today and beyond, learn and understand a more complete story of America and a more empowering reflection of who "We the people" includes, allowing for genuine understanding and equality to become a reality for LGBTQ people.
Our Gay History in 50 States is an educational book that tells the story of queer American history, state by state. The stories that make up this book celebrate significant people, places, and events, and highlight struggles, successes, and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community, creating a history to be passed on to future generations.
The state by state format illustrates that LGBT history happens in every state, everywhere LGBT people live, and that gay history is American history. We see this book as an opportunity to increase acceptance of the queer community, to highlight the diversity within the community itself, and to educate American society as a whole.
The target audience of Our Gay History in 50 States are readers ages 15 and above. However, the content of the book can easily be amended by the reader to fit younger audiences.
K-12 LGBTQ+ Education Resources
The American Civilities Liberties Union - The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees. Here you will find the ACLU's LGBTQ Youth & Schools Resource Library.
The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is the world's first foundation dedicated to raising awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying by connecting communities and raising funds to support those doing real-world work to eradicate bullying.
Campus Pride - Campus Pride serves LGBTQ and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give “voice and action” in building future LGBTQ and ally student leaders.
Educate and Celebrate. We provide LGBT+ inclusion training for staff, support staff, leadership teams, governors, trainee teachers, student workshops, youth networks, CPD days and an Award Programme. Plus an extensive range of resources for all key stages in nurseries, schools, colleges and Universities in all sectors including mainstream, grammar, independent and boarding settings, both national and international. Together we can make society a more welcoming place for everyone. We equip you and your communities with the knowledge, skills and confidence to embed gender, gender identity and sexual orientation into the fabric of your organization.
The Educator's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion. The rates of bullying, truancy due to lack of safety in schools, and subsequent suicidality for LGBT+ youth are exponentially higher than for non-LGBT+ youth. As a result, many American K-12 students are suffering needlessly and many school leaders are unsure of what to do. This book solves that problem. Setting out best practices and professional guidance for creating LGBT+ inclusive learning in schools, this approachable and easy-to-follow book guides teachers, educators, administrators, and school staff toward appropriate and proven ways to create safer learning environments, update school policies, enhance curricula, and better support LGBT+ youth as they learn.
Featuring real-life situations and scenarios, a glossary, and further resources, this book enables professionals in a variety of school roles to integrate foundational concepts into their everyday interactions with students, families, and staff to create an overall school culture that nurtures a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming environment for all. This book can be utilized by independent readers, department teams, and entire school district reading experiences.
GLAAD - GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
GLSEN - GLSEN believes that every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. We are a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapters working to make this right a reality.
Inside Out Youth Services builds power, access and equity for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (ages 13-24) through education, advocacy, community building, peer support, and leadership.
It Gets Better - The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Growing up isn’t easy, especially when you are trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can be a challenging and isolating process – but, the good news is, no one has to do it alone.
GSA Network is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities. The GSA Advisor Handbook is a tremendous resource.
Lambda Legal - Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. You will find a great list of resources by State here: Resources for LGBTQ Youth By State
Minus18 - Champions for LGBTQIA+ Youth. We’re leading change, building social inclusion, and advocating for an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them.
One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families. We effectively advocate for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families by lobbying the General Assembly, the executive branch, and local governments on issues like safe schools, transgender equality, relationship recognition, and LGBTQ health and human services. Below are links to some great resources from One Colorado:
Our Gay History in 50 States is an educational book that tells the story of queer American history, state by state. The stories that make up this book celebrate significant people, places, and events, and highlight struggles, successes, and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community, creating a history to be passed on to future generations. The state by state format illustrates that LGBT history happens in every state, everywhere LGBT people live, and that gay history is American history. We see this book as an opportunity to increase acceptance of the queer community, to highlight the diversity within the community itself, and to educate American society as a whole. The target audience of Our Gay History in 50 States are readers ages 15 and above. However, the content of the book can easily be amended by the reader to fit younger audiences.
PFLAG - PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
Pop 'n' Olly - Pop'n'Olly is an LGBTQ+ equality educational resource used by children, parents, carers and teachers. Our videos and books are used in primary schools across the UK, and beyond, to teach about equality, diversity and acceptance. Created by Olly Pike, Pop'n'Olly 'usualises' different types of people, particularly those who may be LGBTQ+, and ultimately aims to combat homo-, bi- and transphobia before it can even begin. The Pop 'n' Olly YouTube Channel is filled with great LGBT+ & Equality "Edutainment" videos!
The Safe Zone Project (SZP) is a free online resource providing curricula, activities, and other resources for educators facilitating Safe Zone trainings (sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ education sessions), and learners who are hoping to explore these concepts on their own.
Teaching Tolerance - Our mission is to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy. Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.
Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender non-conforming students through advocacy and empowerment. Founded in 2011, it is the only national organization led by trans youth. The Gender Unicorn resource page is one of the most effective approaches to teaching about gender, identity, and expression. diff
The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth.
Youth Celebrate Diversity is dedicated to educating and empowering youth in order to advance inclusion and equity for all. We believe that education is a fundamental human right, and one of the critical tools every young person needs to succeed in life. We believe that change must come from within a community, and not from outside forces. We are working toward a more just and equitable society that values every human being. We believe in the young people who will lead us to this vision.LGBTQ+ Curriculum (coming soon)