The recent presidential election in the United States marks a significant shift towards conservatism with an emphasis on the imagined dangers associated with people who exist outside of a heterosexual, cisgender model – also known as sex and gender minorities (SGM). Many LGBTQ+, consensually non-monogamous, kinky, and other sex/gender/relationship nonconformists (and their allies) in the United States are concerned about the potential impacts of living under an avowedly homophobic and misogynistic administration that has targeted transgender people as public enemies.
Organizations dedicated to serving sex and gender minorities have been growing since the 1950s, and a range of non-profits and public interest groups have evolved to serve contemporary SGM communities in the US. In this time of increased risk, SGMs and their allies might also have increased need for support and defense. This blog lists these helpful organizations by the kind of assistance they offer. Because many of the organizations could fall into multiple categories, each organization is included once under its primary function with additional services noted.
Advocacy
The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice has been advocating on behalf of LGBTQ+ communities internationally since 1977. In pursuit of their commitment to achieving rights for all, Astraea raises and distributes funds to programs, initiatives, activists, artists, and groups led by and serving lesbians and queer women, trans and gender nonconforming folks, intersex people, and people of color. Astrea also provides extensive research and education, with a range of free publications detailing the status of LGBTQI+ folks around the globe.
The Black Trans Fund is an organization dedicated to uplifting, resourcing, and building the capacity of Black trans social justice leaders. BTF accomplishes this by granting individuals and organizations with the funds they need to serve Black transgender folx.
The Modern Family Institute (MFI) is dedicated to shifting cultural understandings of what makes a “good family,” protecting and empowering diverse family structures through laws and policies, and designing better infrastructure to support evolving families’ needs.
The Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-Monogamy (OPEN) seeks to support people in consensually non-monogamous relationships through advancing cultural acceptance, building political power, and engaging with communities and leaders. OPEN offers a range of resources, from the public facing educational materials like fact sheets for journalists and downloadable brochures and a workshop, to community support like a yearly survey and book club, and families and individuals with free peer support circles and end of life planning.
The Woodhull Freedom Foundation focuses on fighting censorship, eliminating discrimination based on gender or sexual identity or family form, and protecting the right to engage in consensual sexual activity and expression. Through advocacy, education, and coalition building, Woodhull seeks to protect privacy, sexual health, sex workers, reproductive freedom, free speech, and equity for all regardless of race, ability, gender presentation, or family form.
Sex Education & Research
The Center for Positive Sexuality[i] (CPS) addresses social issues through sex positive research and education. They provide a range of resources including lists of sexuality and gender studies programs, links to open access journals related to sexuality and gender, and a plethora of professional resources for sex educators, therapists, counselors, coaches, and researchers. CPS internships connect students who want to learn about sexuality research and education with academics who need research assistants and are willing to mentor students.
TASHRA strives to improve the physical and mental health of adults who engage in consensual and alternative sexual practices including kink, BDSM (bondage/discipline, domination/submission, sadism/masochism), and sexual fetishism. They do this primarily through research and education, providing training to clinicians who wish to develop best practices for culturally competent care, empowering community members to act as effective partners in their own healthcare, advocating for equitable treatment within the healthcare system, and promoting consensual and sexually diverse relevant health and social policies.
Legal Support
Offering a clearinghouse for information and resources for transfolx and their allies, A4TE provides an enormous selection of educational and practical utility resources on their website. In late 2024 the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund combined forces with the National Center for Transgender Equality to become the Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE). From anti-violence and education, to employment, housing, healthcare, identity documents, immigration, and policing or sports, travel, and families, A4TE has transfolx covered.
While they can only serve clients located in New York, the Chosen Family Law Center (CFLC) provides useful information about legal matters relevant to SGMs. The CFLC provides pro-bono legal services to qualifying low-income LGBTQ+, polyamorous, and chosen families residing in New York including gender affirming identification, wills and other legal documents, and cohabitation and coparenting agreements, and more. They recently released a list of steps that LGBTQ+ folks should take now to protect their gender markers and chosen families, and a blog helping people decide if the X gender marker is a good choice for them.
Immigration Equality promotes justice and equality for LGBTQ and HIV positive immigrants. They can assist with cases for asylum, detention, family immigration information and additional resources for immigration.
Lambda Legal offers a helpline that can connect LGBTQ+ folks with legal resources in their area. The help desk provides information and resources related to discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and HIV status.
While it was founded by lesbians, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) serves SGM of all varieties, not only lesbians. They offer legal assistance with custody disputes, separation or divorce, immigration or asylum, and other legal issues as well. For the past 30 years NCLR has worked to advance civil and human rights for LGBTQ+ folks and their families through litigation, public policy, and education.
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) is committed to creating a political, legal and social environment in the US that advances equal rights for consenting adults who engage in alternative sexual and relationship expressions. NCSF provides a range of information and services, from legal issues involving consenting adults who engage in kink and non-monogamy to resources on dealing with the media, lobbying, consent issues, and understanding kink and consensual non-monogamy for professionals, organizations and individuals. For example, NCSF’s Kink Aware Professionals list includes an extensive selection of lawyers who are familiar with BDSM and/or CNM.
Social Support & Suicide Prevention
One of the longest-standing advocacy organizations dedicated to serving SGMs and their families, the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) long ago expanded beyond lesbians and gays to include the entire LGBTQ+ community. As a large national organization, PFLAG is the umbrella group for a range of communities dedicated to specific populations including Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Black/African American folks, Latino/Latinas, people in the military, parents of gender diverse kids, and grandparents who support their LGBTQ+ grandchildren. Local PFLAG groups meet in many US cities to share support and resources.
The Trevor Project provides crisis support for LGBTQI+ people who are struggling, as well as advocacy, research, peer support, and education. In addition to educational resources and practical assistance like suicide helplines and breathing exercises for calming, the Trevor Project recently posted a message of support and hope for SGM after the election.
The Asian American Psychological Association hosts an extensive list of resources and organizations dedicated to serving Asians and Pacific Islanders (API). From national organizations like the Asian Pride Project and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance to regional resources in New York and California, the AAPA offers connections to community and educational resources.
Because many SGM and especially transgender folks are nervous that police interaction might make already difficult situations worse, there are a range of crisis lines that offer aid without calling the police. These include:
Blackline, which centers BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks using a Black Femme lens: 800-604-5841
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (US); 877-330-6366
Wildflower Alliance offers peer support: 888-407-4515
StrongHearts Native Helpline centers Native Americans and Alaska Natives: 844-762-8483
Thrive Lifeline, trans led and operated: 313-662-8209
LGBT National Help Center: 888-843-4564
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
LGBT National Senior Hotline: 888-234-7243
Except for the Asian American Psychological Association, these are all non-profit organizations. If you believe in LGBTQ+ human rights, research, education, and social support, consider putting your money where your beliefs are and helping to fund these organizations.
[i] For full disclosure, I am on the Board of Directors for the Center for Positive Sexuality.