Resources: When you need to help your gay friends, these folks can help you.

With the recent rash of teen suicides as the result of bullying, helping out gay friends has been on a lot of people’s minds. The good news is, there are lots of great organizations, each staffed by dedicated and caring folks, which are giving their all to make the world a better place for all of our gay friends. There are great gay resources out there, and you can help connect the dots.

In this post, we’ll highlight some national organizations you may find useful. Many have local chapters as well; click through below to find resources near you, if that’s what you need. The full list is below the jump – here are a few you may be looking for urgently.

• If you are concerned your friend might hurt themselves: the Trevor Project.

“Trevor” is a fantastic organization that provides gay and trans youth with information, help, and support. If your friend considering hurting themselves or even taking their own life, get them on the line ASAP. Their suicide prevention hotline can be reached at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386).

• If your friend just came out, and their families are having a hard time understanding: PFLAG (Parents, Famlies, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

PFLAG has local chapters around the country which run support groups for parents and others who are struggling with the sexuality of a loved one. Want to find one? Just click through. Great for friends who want to be supportive or parents who need a crash course and others to talk to.

• If your friend has experienced discrimination just for being gay, and needs legal advice: Lambda Legal. 

This national org works for equal rights throughout the country for gay folks, as well as those with HIV/AIDS. Lambda can hook you up with legal services when you and your friends need them. Gay resources when your friend’s in a bind.

Below the cut: International advocacy, hate crime prevention, trans resources, and more.

If you have a gay friend outside the US and want to learn about their rights: All Out.
All Out is an internationally-focused organization devoted to raising awareness of, and fixing, mistreatment of gay and trans folks around the world. Join their list to learn how you can help people in the 76 countries where being gay is a crime.

If you want to stand up against hate crimes with your gay friends: Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Matthew Shepherd was the victim of a horrific hate crime in Wyoming in 1998; he was beaten and killed just for being gay. The foundation was started by his mom, Judy Shepard. Their aim is to “replace hate with understanding, compassion & acceptance.”

If your trans friend needs legal help: TLDEF.
The Transgender Legal & Defense Education Fund is a organization that seeks to promote equality for transgender persons, by providing public education, litigation, legal services, and community engagement. Right along with Lambda Legal, these are important folks to know if your trans friends ever need legal support, or just want access to educational materials.

If you want to help your friends get married: Freedom to Marry.
FTM is a campaign to win marriage equality nationwide by demanding public support for the issue be met by legal solutions. Freedom to Marry is working to overturn DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) and providing education for why equality is necessary for gay couples. They’re a great resource for the best way to talk about marriage issues with friends, legislators, and even on the internet. Pop over and sign their Majority for Marriage Pledge today.

If you want to get involved for your friends rights across the country: HRC.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest civil rights organization that works to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. The HRC provides with local and national information regarding LGBTQ issues. You’ll probably recognize their yellow and blue equality logo from bumper stickers all over the country.

If you want to learn about legal inequalities facing your friends: The Williams Institute.
If you’re interested in learning about legal obstacles facing your gay and trans friends, this is a one-stop-shop for reliable research. The Williams Institute is an organization dedicated to educating and informing in the field of sexual orientation law and public policy. Brought to you by UCLA Law, this fantastic resource can provide you with critical information on current issues facing the LGBTQ community.

There are countless other groups out there working tirelessly to keep your gay friends safe and sane, and help them achieve full legal freedoms too. If you don’t see your favorite here, please leave us a comment and we’ll try to include your org in round two.

Take Action: “Like,” share, and bookmark this post so you’ll always know where to turn to help your gay friends. Everyone needs to know about these resources. Spread the word.

Many thanks to awesome Ffriend Will Cheval Jr. for help with this post.