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.

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“I want to support my gay friend but worry about saying something offensive.”

Friendfactor couldn’t exist if there weren’t thousands of people out there thinking the first half of that sentence: I want to support my gay friends. Time and time again, though, I’ve had friends tell me the biggest barrier to getting involved is the fear of “doing it wrong.” They’re worried about saying something a gay or trans friend will find insensitive, or about fighting my battles for me when they shouldn’t. They don’t speak up because they don’t want to accidentally offend gay people. The ironic thing is, all these anxieties stem from the strength of their desire to help me out – and that desire is what counts.

In short, expressing support in any way is better than not expressing it at all. I totally understand the nervousness my friends describe – it’s hard to keep up with what’s politically correct, and I don’t expect them to become queer theory scholars just to hang out with me. What I wouldn’t want is for anyone to let the fear of saying something slightly wrong keep them silent when it matters.

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