• Home
• Transition 101
• Support Services: Helpful links

LGBTQ+ Resources for Support

It can be helpful to have online resources to rely on for further information about gender confirming surgery, transgender healthcare, and the general transgender community network. Advances in medical and social research have brought new understanding of transgender issues, and people in the trans community publish websites to exchange information and support with others seeking help or going through the treatment process.

We have reviewed and compiled this list of important websites and useful links for anyone contemplating surgery and those who care about them. As in most human endeavors, “knowledge is power”, and we are firmly committed to helping our patients reach important decisions regarding surgical alterations to their bodies only after being fully informed of both the risks and the benefits. This is not a comprehensive list and information may need to be updated.

LGBTQ+ Affirming Healthcare Providers Directory

• World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has a directory that allows you to search for gender-affirming providers in any healthcare field or specialty.
  

• LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a free, searchable database of all kinds of doctors, medical professionals and healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada.

• OutCare Health is an organization that empowers LGBTQ+ individuals with comprehensive resources, support, and education in order to provide access to quality healthcare. The OutList provides a directory of LGBT affirming healthcare providers.

Surgery Information Resources

Chest Reconstruction Top Surgery

Many websites have been set up by and for transgender and nonbinary people pursuing chest reconstruction top surgery  to describe their own surgeries and results along with general information. Specialized medical associations and online publications of clinical studies are also reliable sources of information on surgical procedures and results.

• • Transbucket is a project site set up for individuals to exchange FTM chest reconstruction information, including viewing and posting before and after photos. You must join to use the site but is it free and photos can be posted anonymously.

Breast Augmentation Resources

Many websites have been set up by and for transgender and nonbinary people pursuing breast augmentation surgery to describe their own surgeries and results along with general surgical information. Specialized medical associations and online publications of clinical studies are also reliable sources of information on MTF surgical procedures and results.

• Transgender Map, a very well-written and comprehensive website covering every aspect of MTF life, including surgical procedure descriptions.

National and International Organization Resources

• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and more than 350 affiliates in the United States. A grassroots network, PFLAG is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG National Office, Washington, D.C.
• Matthew Shepard Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to support diversity programs in education and to help youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves. They promote understanding, compassion and acceptance of the LGBT community.
• The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a media and resource for those new to or unfamiliar with transgender issues. The site also includes further resource links.

Transgender Advocacy and Legal Rights Websites

Knowing your rights is an important element in obtaining counseling, treatment, and support.

• Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) is a non-profit organization that works proactively with other concerned lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations to ensure that transgender veterans  receive appropriate care for their medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration’s Customer Service Standards promise to “treat you with courtesy and dignity… as the first class citizen that you are.”
• Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is committed to ending discrimination based on gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transpeople through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing and public policy efforts.
• Transgender Law Center (TLC) works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. They offer programs in law, policy, health, economic justice, and movement building and legal services include information and referrals and in some cases, direct representation.
• National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is a non-profit social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment.
• The American Civil Liberties Union, LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education.
• Amnesty International LGBTQIA Rights Advocacy works to protect human rights worldwide because gender, like race or sexual orientation, is not an acceptable basis on which to imprison people.

Support Groups for Relatives:

• COLAGE is a national organization supporting children, youth and adults with LGBT parent(s).
• TransFamily is a support group for transgender and transsexual people, their parents, partners, children, other family members, friends, and supportive allies.

Spiritual and Religious Resources:

• Light in the Closet is a publication for Christian transpeople seeking comfort and advice.

Emergency Support When in Crisis:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a free and confidential suicide prevention lifeline that connects individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services 24/7 across the U.S. (and certain territories) via web chat or by texting or dialing 988. All chat and text centers in the 988 Lifeline network are accredited by either the American Association of Suicidology or the International Council for Helplines. Chat is also available in Spanish.

The Trevor Project is a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth that create safe, accepting, and inclusive environments over the phone, online, and through text.

• Trevor Lifeline—A national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25, available at 1-866-488-7386.
• TrevorChat—A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors.
• TrevorText—A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available by texting START to 678-678.

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Their hotline is run by trans people, for trans people. They believe that trans people are equipped to support one another, and that each trans person knows best what support looks like for them. They use active listening, community knowledge, shared lived experience and trust to be there for peers.
US (877) 565-8860 or
CAN (877) 330-6366

Substance Abuse Resources:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and plays an important role in addressing the mental health and substance abuse needs of the LGBT community through a range of initiatives and partnerships.

• SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Hotlines:
  800-662-4357 (HELP)
  800-487-4889 (TDD)
  877-767-8432 (español)
  Text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U)
• For Providers: A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals | SAMHSA Publications and Digital Products

Pride Institute is a mental health treatment center that specializes in providing care for members of the LGBTQ+ community who are struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. They offer a range of inpatient and outpatient programs, including individual and group therapy, medication management, and support groups.

The Center is a non-profit organization that provides support, advocacy, and education to the LGBTQ+ community. They offer substance abuse support groups, such as AA meetings, and provides referrals to treatment programs as needed. They work to create a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals to address their substance abuse issues and receive the help they need to overcome addiction.

Find a rehabilitation center by city and state near you: https://www.addictions.com/rehabs/

Community Members Sharing Surgery Resources

There are many networking sites for transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse folks including  “life story” and diary reports describing personal experiences. There is no guarantee that the information given in these sites is medically accurate, but they can be a source of moral support and comfort.