Welcome to Safe Schools North Carolina's ever-growing list of resources. We hope you can use these resources to physically and emotionally support LGBTQ+ young people and to educate yourself and others about how to affirm LGBTQ+ students. If you have specific resource needs or suggestions, please let us know.
Cerebral Palsy and LGBT Page from Cerebral Palsy Guidance discussing the intersection of two marginalized identities. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Help Center/Hotline An organization that provides peer support, resources, and national hotlines that serve as safe spaces for anything the caller wants to talk about. Gender Spectrum An organization working to help others create gender sensitive and inclusive spaces. Their resource page is divided into lots of categories including medical, mental health, legal, and more. GLAAD An organization that promotes LGBT acceptance through changing the media narrative. Check out their publications and resource list. GLSEN An organization committed to combatting LGBTQ+ bullying and marginalization through education. Many great resources for educators here. It Gets Better Project A site full of user-submitted videos reminding LGBTQ teenagers that life for gay people often gets better after the teenage years. Created in response to LGBTQ teenage suicides. LGBTQ+ and Addiction Page from Advanced Recovery Systems that provides resources to aid LGBTQ+ people who are dealing with substance abuse. Mathew Shepard Foundation This foundation is named for a gay young man killed by a hate crime and fights for human dignity and acceptance. National Center for Transgender Equality Check out their “About Transgender People” section for great Trans 101 information. Also includes a “Know Your Rights” section. National LGBTQ Task Force An LGBTQ advocacy group. Check out their “Take Action” section as well as “Fact Sheets and Infographics.” PFLAG An organization that provides support and education for families and allies of LGBT people. Safe Schools Coalition An organization based in Washington. Lots of specific and detailed resources for different groups. Includes resources in Spanish. The Trevor Project An organization focused on crisis prevention for LGBT young people. Lots of resources, including a suicide hotline and an online messaging service for people with questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. Understanding the Health Needs of LGBT People A document from the National LGBT Health Education Center that focuses on LGBT health disparities.
NC/Regional LGBTQ Resources
Blue Ridge Pride Information about Asheville-area based LGBT Pride events. Campaign for Southern Equality An Asheville based organization that promotes full LGBT equality throughout the South through community organizing, funding, legal work, and more. Carolina Partners: LGBT Affirming Mental Health Care A list of LGBT affirming mental health care providers across the state. Durham LGBTQ Youth Resource Guide Slightly outdated, but still a good resource for all kinds of LGBTQ Youth support in the Triangle. Also includes terminology and definitions. Equality NC A state-wide organization dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for LGBTQ North Carolinians. GSAFE A Greensboro-based organization focused on creating safe educational environments for LGBTQ+ youth. Guilford Green Foundation An organization that raises funds to advance other LGBT organizations and programs. iNSIDE oUT A Triangle area youth-founded and youth-run LGBTQ social and support network. LGBT in the South Conference Annual Asheville-based conference with sessions and speakers on a wide variety of intersectional LGBTQ issues. NC AIDS Action Network An organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with HIV/AIDS through outreach, education, political advocacy, and community-building. NC Pride Information about the annual Durham based NC Pride festival. PFLAG Triangle The Triangle chapter of PFLAG, which supports friends and families of LGBTQ people. QORDS An NC music-based summer camp for LGBTQ youth focused on self-discovery and social change. Southerners on New Ground (SONG) An organization focused on LGBTQ liberation across all lines of race, class, abilities, age, culture, gender, and sexuality in the South. Time Out Youth A Charlotte area center offering LGBTQ youth support, advocacy, and opportunities for personal development and social interaction
Please be aware that many of the organizations and materials listed here are not affiliated with nor created by Safe Schools NC. Though we believe these are important resources, we can't vouch for all of the content on all these sites.
Education & Teaching Resources
Advocates for Youth Lesson Plans Lesson plans on sexual orientation, gender identity, contraception, communication, and other teen wellness issues. Frameline Youth in Motion Films Youth in Motion provides yearly free films and curriculum guides to Gay-Straight Alliances and educators. Flyleaf Books LGBTQ+ Book List Book list from Chapel Hill's Flyleaf Books listing LGBTQ+ titles from picture books through young adult novels. Gender Identity Map Great visual resource for discussing gender identity, gender expression, and the gender binary.
The Gender Unicorn Great resource for teaching students or adults about the differences among gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. GLAAD Media Reference Guide Great source for “LGBT 101” terminology information. GLSEN Educator Resources Lessons, guides, videos and more for educators. How Educators Can Create Safe Spaces Handout from Safe Schools NC featuring simple tips for making your classroom more affirming. Learn NC + Safe Schools NC LGBT Resources Resources created by Safe Schools NC and housed by Learn NC, addressing terminology, bullying, supporting students, lesson plans and more. Live out Loud Lesson Plans Lesson plans specifically for Gay-Straight Alliances and other school groups. NC Prom King A short documentary film and accompanying website of resources about a transgender NC student who wants to run for Prom King. Pulse Orlando Syllabus A very thorough document compiled by librarians and teachers in wake of the 2016 tragedy in Orlando. Includes movies, books (for adults and children), websites, podcasts and much more. Not all these materials are appropriate for youth; this is a guide meant to educate all. Rethinking Schools Publications for educators covering a variety of social justice issues. Safe Schools Coalition Lesson Plans Lesson plan list for elementary, middle, and high schools classrooms. Teaching Tolerance Lesson plans and resources covering many social justice issues. Teaching Transgender Toolkit The TTT is a great resource (it’s a book that must be purchased), but the website has an overview of what is covered in the book as well as links to the TTT blog which has lots of free information. Welcoming Schools Book lists, lesson plans, videos, and more from the Human Rights Campaign.