Image by Lisa Vollrath, available for free download along with a lot of other amazing original artwork at Amplifier.org
According to the HRC's recent brief, "in addition to the greater risk of health complications as a result of COVID-19, LGBTQ+ Americans are more likely than the general population to live in poverty and lack access to adequate medical care, paid medical leave, and basic necessities during the pandemic."
AND, as the pandemic continues, our broader LGBTQ+ community is exercising our resilience and creativity to reach out to each other. There’s a TON of community resources out there trying to meet the various unique needs of LGBTQ+ folks! Ironically, for rural queers, this may be a time where some services are more accessible because they're online--transgender support groups and livestreamed drag shows are the new normal. From mental health to funding, from being stuck at home with people who don’t use your preferred pronouns to info for healthcare providers and funders, here’s a rundown of some resources. (Don’t forget to scroll all the way to the bottom for fun ones.)
Note that most of these are online national and regional resources...If you are in Josephine and Jackson county and struggling to access resources, you can always call 211 and they can help connect you.
(Last updated 5/7/2020 by Eliot Feenstra - if you have comments or would like to add something to this list, reach out! eliot@rogueactioncenter.org)
Updates and additions - 5/25/2020
The CARES Act provided $8.5 million for rent relief in Oregon. Connect with your local Community Action Agency (UCAN in Josephine and Douglas counties, 541-956-4050; ACCESS in Jackson county, 541-494-1210) if you need help paying your rent. (not LGBTQ-specific)
Fannie Mae created a Disaster Response Network that is providing financial coaching, ongoing check-ins, and personalized recovery assessment; call 877-542-9723 to access the Disaster Response Network. (not LGBTQ-specific)
Out in the Open is a Vermont-based organization that supports rural LGBTQ people.They are offering online yoga, drop-in space, non-monogamy support group, meditation, and crafternoon specifically for rural queers. They also run an “Out in the Open Radio Hour” focused on rural LGBTQ topics. (Also @WeAreOutInTheOpen on Facebook.)
Updates and additions - 5/7/2020
Are you an LGBT Older Adult or do you know LGBT older adults looking to stay connected during the time of staying at home? SAGEConnect is a new program that matches LGBT older adults with volunteer caller for a once a week phone call. You can learn more and register here.
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging has created a great resource page for older LGBTQ+ adults and caregivers
Them - 25 Fundraisers benefting the LGBTQ community during COVID19 (national)
If people want to learn more about their legal rights and options or are looking for local resources, Transgender Law Center's Legal Information Helpdesk happily accepts questions.
If you face any discrimination in medical care setting, note any specific information, keep any documents related to the incident, and file a complaint with Health & Human Services.
Alternate ROOTS put together a great resource page especially for artists & cultural organizers: https://alternateroots.org/covid-19-resource-page/
Social dis-dancing dance party every Wednesday and Saturday, 7pm central time
Updates and additions - 4/27/2020
Basic Rights Oregon is hosting weekly Queer Town Halls featuring legislators and key issues. You can access the archive and tune in on Tuesdays at 6pm PDT.
LGBTQ-specific tools and support in quitting smoking, from smokefree.gov
The Q Center’s quick-turnaround Marsha P Johnson Community Fund, specifically for transgender Black and Indigenous people, can be used for housing/eviction expenses, car repairs, medical emergencies, and work emergencies. (Portland-based, folks in southern Oregon can apply)
Center for Urban and Racial Equity is hosting an online hub for resources during COVID19--for Black, Indigenous, low-income, incarcerated, and LGBTQ folks and other marginalized groups.
Not queer-specific but Basic Needs/Local Resources
Kickstarter - Funding resources for artists during COVID-19
Basic needs: Oregon Food Finder can help connect you with food resources.
Oregon Law Help - includes info about housing and employment protections and information about public charge and emergency benefits. They can also help you access free legal aid or advice. There is a local Oregon Law Center office for southern Oregon in Grants Pass; they can be reached at (541) 476-1058.
Oregon Public Benefit hotline - for specific or general questions about public benefits, including OHP, SNAP, medical benefits, etc. - 800-520-5292
Illinois Valley Web resource list for Josephine County includes local phone numbers and updates about what’s open and where to find support
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon for statewide senior meal access and delivery.
Fact sheet from the IRS about the Paycheck Protection Program for independent contractors, self-employed people, and small businesses
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here for more details.
Important tax and employment info for freelancers, gig workers and the self-employed
LGBTQ+ Health & Movement Resources
The online LGBTQ community platform them has published a guide on How LGBTQ People Can Get Help and Resources During Coronavirus, including LGBTQ health centers, mental health hotlines, and virtual community gatherings.
Gender Spectrum has gathered a list of useful resources for challenging times. This webpage includes links to schedules and registration forms for their upcoming online groups for adults, youth, families, and more.
Them – Strategies for Quarantining in a non-LGBTQ+ Affirming Environment (National)
Pride Foundation - Resource list for individual and organizational support (Northwest)
Basic Rights Oregon is hosting weekly Queer Town Halls featuring legislators and key issues. You can access the archive and tune in on Tuesdays at 6pm PDT.
Mental Health America National has compiled an online resource list to support the mental health community in coping with COVID-19. The list includes online and phone mental health supports, tips for managing stress and anxiety, resources for parents and caregivers, resources for mental health and substance use providers, etc.
Funders for LGBTQ Issues - LGBTQ Funding Resources in COVID-19 response (including funding specific to queer and transgender Black and indigenous folks and people of color)
LGBT National Help Center offers a national hotline for both youths and seniors, as well as online peer support chat rooms and a weekly youth chatroom for queer kids age 19 or younger.
True Colors has resources for young people experiencing homelessness and adults and service providers looking to support them.
Salud America! – Our Favorite Spanish-Language Coronavirus Resources (National)
LGBTI Covid-19 Response is a Facebook group is for “connecting our community to information from trusted epidemiologic and medical professionals dealing with this virus.”
Oregon residents can request free condoms and lube by mail from Oregon Reminders (ongoing)
SissyQs and Southern Oregon LGBTQ Community are two local Facebook groups for LGBTQ+ folks to share information, make connections, meet people, or find out about local events or organizing. Southern Oregon LGBTQ Resources posts events, information, and resources for the LGBTQ community.
The Q Center’s quick-turnaround Marsha P Johnson Community Fund, specifically for transgender Black and Indigenous people, can be used for housing/eviction expenses, car repairs, medical emergencies, and work emergencies. (Portland-based, folks in southern Oregon can apply)
Resources specific to LGBTQ+ Elders and those living with HIV
National LGBTQ Cancer Network - Coronavirus 2019 Information
Center for Disease Control - COVID-19: What people with HIV should know
The Healthy Aging Project - What providers need to know as they support LGBTQ older adults during COVID-19.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon for statewide senior meal access and delivery.
Online AA Meetings for those who are in recovery and would like to attend meetings or find support virtually.
SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline. SAGE connects LGBT older people who want to talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen. If you are an LGBT elder or care for one, call the free SAGE Hotline, toll-free, at 877-360-LGBT (5428).
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging - Tips & resources for LGBT elders and those living with HIV
Useful frequently asked questions about Coronavirus and HIV from End HIV Oregon
Cascade AIDS Project provides a wide range of services particularly for people with HIV including but not limited to: housing assistance, peer support, connection to medical care, job assistance, and culturally specific services. (Portland, may provide telemedicine and referral support by phone during COVID19)
Advocacy & Research
More than 100 LGBTQ organizations issued an open letter to health officials encouraging them to consider the unique needs of LGBTQ communities in their work to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Helpful FAQ about the $1200 stimulus checks approved through the new federal CARES Act: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html
HRC - A research brief about the disproportionate impact of COVID19 on LGBTQ communities.
ILGA’s research brief about COVID-19’s specific impact on LGBTQ+ people and what policymakers should be doing to support our communities
Resources specific to transgender and nonbinary people
The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) - What Trans People Need to Know about COVID-19.
The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund - Know Your Rights guide for transgender and non-binary people who are grappling with questions related to employment, housing, health care, identification, and accessing assistance from government agencies among other issues.
OHSU has a Transgender Health Program site that includes links to support and information groups in Oregon.
The Transgender Law Center is hosting virtual community gatherings to address the Coronavirus pandemic.
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led peer support and crisis hotline for the Trans Community and COVID-19 support during crisis if you need someone to talk to. Email contact@translifeline.org or call 877-565-8860.
El/La Para TransLatinas is resources and services for trans Latinas. Contact: info@ellaparatranslatinas.org or call 415-864-7278 for services via telephone.
Mind the Gap has this great list of “COVID-19 Resources for the Trans/Non-binary Community.”
Resources specific to LGBTQ+ families
Family Equality - A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families
TransFamily Support Services is holding online weekly groups for youth and familes.
The National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network has this Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease.
Resources specific to LGBTQ+ Youth
The Trevor Project is a national, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. You can reach The Trevor Project's 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or TrevorChat, their online instant messaging option, or TrevorText, a text-based support option. If you are looking for peer support, you can visit TrevorSpace from anywhere in the world.
Q Chat Space is a bully-free online community of LGBTQ teens that can chat with other LGBTQ teens and trained staff from LGBTQ centers around the country. You can access Q Chat Space at www.qchatspace.org.
Legal Services
AIDS Legal Referral Panel - Call 415-701-1200.
Transgender Law Center provcides legal resources and litigation for the TGNC community. Hosting national calls for trans leaders and organizations on Facebook Live. Their helpline is open. Call 510-587-9696.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights serves LGBTQ people anywhere in the country, including elders, athletes, conversion therapy survivors, immigrants, incarcerated people, etc. To contact their Legal Helpline, email irupertgordon@nclrights.org or call 1-800-528-6257 or 415-392-6257.
Oregon Law Help - includes info about housing and employment protections and information about public charge and emergency benefits. They can also help you access free legal aid or advice. There is a local Oregon Law Center office for southern Oregon in Grants Pass; they can be reached at (541) 476-1058. (not queer-specific)
Working from Home
ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association, has put together a nice list of remote work and wellbeing resources, including tips for working remotely as well as queer podcasts, movies, books, and archives.
Frontline Defenders offers tips for digitally protecting your home workspace if you are doing organizing or activist work. ILGA also has tips on encryption and software for digital safety.
Fun! Entertainment and Online Meetups
Digital Drag Fest curated by RuPaul’s Drag Race artists
Themfest virtual music & arts festival
The Center is a hub of NYC’s LGBTQ culture and is hosting online programs including readings and “Meet your farmers: quarantine edition”
The Validation Station sends a daily affirming, positive text to trans- and nonbinary people who might be stuck in unsupportive situations during COVID19. (Note that you’ll have to enter a US number with “01” at the beginning.)
Club Quarantine - nightly online LGBTQ party during quarantine. https://www.instagram.com/clubquarantine/
LGBTQ Pride marches are uniting in a Global Pride march which will be held online June 27.
“Queer under Coronavirus” essay series from Them
Queer Your Queue: livestreamed events and performances during pandemic.
ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association, put out a big resource list of queer web series, books, podcasts, and archives to check out!
Out in the Open serves rural LGBTQ folks in Brattleboro, Vermont and is hosting rural LGBTQ yoga and meditations on their Facebook page.
Tranzmission is based in western North Carolina and is hosting drag storytime, nonbinary support groups, and other events via their Facebook page.
Buddies in Bad Times, a queer theatre in Toronto, Ontario, is hosting a digital performance and blog series called "Queer, Far, Wherever You Are," featuring live-on-Instagram performances and writing by queer artists.
QTie Connections - Queer and Trans Connections list for virtual penpals and meeting new folks.
Image by Eliza Wolfson, available for free download along with a lot of other amazing original artwork (and an open call for submissions!) at Amplifier.org