If you’re an LGBTQ athlete, coach, or fan who is in need assistance because of violence, the potential for suicide or other life-threatening issues, don’t wait to take action. Call your local authorities or to speak with someone to prevent suicide from one of the following organizations:
The Trevor Project (US) provides life-saving and life-affirming services to LGBTQ youth. If you need support, call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US) ‘1-800-273-TALK (8255)’ is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Site also contains an online chat with a crisis counselor and help is also available in Spanish (También se puede chatear con un consejero en español).
Trans Lifeline (US) is an organization focused on providing front line intervention for trans people in crisis (1-877-565-8860).
Kids Help Phone (CAN) is Canada’s only free, national, bilingual (ENG/FR), confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counseling service for young people ages 5-20 (1-800-668-6868).
In addition to life-saving resources listed above, we invite you to visit the websites of a number of those working toward the goals of inclusion, equality, and creating more respectful sports culture. A partial listing is below and we encourage others to contact us for support and partnerships.
Campus Pride (US) is the leading US national educational organization for LGBTQ and ally college students and campus groups.
Canadian Women & Sport provides leadership and education, and builds capacity to foster equitable support, diverse opportunities and positive experiences for girls and women in sport and physical activity.
Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) #OneTeam (CAN) initiative is being executed in partnership with You Can Play and Egale to create a more LGBTQ inclusive environment within the Canadian Olympic Team, the COC’s corporate offices, and to protect and support LGBTQ athletes, youth and coaches in sport and schools.
Creating Inclusive Environments for Trans Participants in Canadian Sport is an action plan created by the Trans Inclusion in Sport Expert Working Group, designed to ensure teams and sports groups understand and are able to welcome and include trans athletes, staff and fans.
Compete Network (US) is a magazine that unites LGBT and non-LGBT communities through sports.
Egale (CAN) is a Canadian organization founded in 1986 to advance equality for Canadian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, across Canada.
Equality Coaching Alliance (US) is an informal support network of LGBT coaches and their supporters at every level of sports.
Fearless Project (US) is a photography series about LGBT athletes on high school and college sports teams. The Fearless Project book was published in 2015.
Federation of Gay Games (FGG) (US) is the umbrella organization responsible for managing the pre-eminent international LGBT sports and cultural event, the quadrennial Gay Games.
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) (US) is an organization that works to ensure that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media. GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.
Get REAL (CAN) is a student-driven Canadian non-profit that seeks to eliminate LGBT discrimination and bullying, and promote inclusivity for everyone.
GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) Sports Project (US) is an education and advocacy program focused on addressing LGBT issues in K-12 school-based athletic and physical education programs.
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) (US) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education.
Outsports.com (US) was created with the mission of building the broadest, deepest, most informative and most entertaining gay sports community.
The Women’s Sports Foundation (US) is the leading authority on the participation of women and girls in sports and is dedicated to creating leaders by ensuring girls access to sports.
Transathlete.com (US) is a resource for athletes, coaches, and administrators to get trans-inclusive athletic policies at various levels of play.
Additional Resources
TheAllyCoalition.org – Music, fashion and entertainment teaming up to support LGBT fans.
The Ali Fourney Center (US) works to help homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth be safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.
It Gets Better Project (US) Its mission is to communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to make it better for them.
HRC – The Human Rights campaign is an organization advocating for LGBT issues on a variety of levels.
Learn To Become (US) LGBTQ College Student Resource Guide– A comprehensive guide of LGBTQ resources for instructors, students, friends & family members.
PFLAG – Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – A longtime resource for parents and families.