Two Spirit:
Certain Native American cultures described transgender people as having “two spirits.” Generally Two-Spirit people were born into one sex but took on the gender roles for both sexes (though this definition varies somewhat across cultures). Today, some transgender people identify as Two Spirit.
It's nearly impossible to create an exhaustive list of all of the great GLBTQ resources available, and the list continues to expand. This information is intended to give you an idea of what's available and to provide you with starting points to explore a variety of topics.
Additional resources, as well as more detailed explanations of many of the entries here, can be found throughout this book. The
Selected Bibliography
also includes materials that may be of interest.
Bornstein,
Kate.
Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us
. New York: Vintage Books, 1995. Check out Kate Bornstein's book for an entertaining and thought-provoking discussion of what gender is and what it means to be differently gendered.
Cobain,
Bev.
When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens
. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing, 2007.
When Nothing Matters Anymore
provides information on recognizing depression, getting help, and staying well. Full of helpful information and resources, the book also features stories from teens.
Corinna,
Heather.
S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College
. New York: Marlowe, 2007. This plain-spoken guide offers credible information on some topics you might be a little reluctant to speak about with parents or friends.
Duberman, Martin, Martha Vicinus, and George Chauncey Jr., eds.
Hidden from History: Reclaiming the Gay & Lesbian Past
. New York: Plume, 1990. This book is a collection of 30 essays exploring same-sex relationships in different cultures and eras. Essays cover women who passed as men in 19th-century America, lesbian sexuality in certain Native American cultures, and other topics.
Duberman,
Martin.
Stonewall
. New York: Dutton, 1993. Duberman's book provides historical information on the people who were involved in the Stonewall uprising and the early years of the Gay Liberation Movement.
Gray,
Mary.
Out in the Country: Youth, Media, and Queer Visibility in Rural America
. New York: New York University Press, 2009. In this book, author Mary Gray discusses the diverse lives and experiences of rural gay teens.
Heron,
Ann.
Two Teenagers in Twenty: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth
. Boston: Alyson Publications, 1994. First-person accounts by gay and lesbian teens about discovering one's sexual orientation, coming out to family and friends, and challenges queer people can face.
Jennings, Kevin, with Pat Shapiro.
Always My Child: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning Son or Daughter.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003. Written by the executive director of GLSEN, this friendly, thorough, and practical guide helps parents or guardians trying to understand their queer or questioning child.
Porter, Darwin, and Danforth Prince.
Fifty Years of Queer Cinema: 500 of the Best GLBTQ Films Ever Made
. Staten Island, NY: Blood Moon Productions, 2010. An anthology of queer people in film, this resource includes discussion of how GLBTQ people influenced some of the most popular movies of all time.
Rupp, Leila J.
A Desired Past: A Short History of Same-Sex Love in America
. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999. This book provides a broad introduction to same-sex love in the United States and covers 400 years of these relationships.
Russo, Vito.
The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies
. New York: Harper & Row, 1987. Revised edition. This is a groundbreaking look at how queer people have been depicted in movies throughout the history of film.
Stein, Mark, ed.
Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America
. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons/Thomson/Gale, 2004. This three-volume encyclopedia provides a detailed history of queer people in the United States. Covering all aspects of cultural, political, and social life, the resource provides a comprehensive look at GLBTQ heritage.
Stryker,
Susan.
Transgender History
. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press, 2008. This history provides a comprehensive look at transgender people living in the United States from the 20th century to today.
Teaching Tolerance.
Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History
documentary and viewer's guide. Montgomery, AL: Southern Poverty Law Center, 2010. This educational kit, available for free to every U.S. school, chronicles a student's ordeal with anti-gay bullying and offers an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment (
www.tolerance.org/bullied
).
Xavier, Jessica, Courtney Sharp, and Mary Boenke.
Our Trans Children
. Washington, DC: PFLAG Transgender Network, 1998. This is a helpful booklet full of detailed information for anyone who wants to know more about being transgender. Also available as a free download.
Advocates for Youth
2000 M Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 419-3420
Advocates for Youth is an organization that helps young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. The group's website also includes information on sexuality, spirituality, relationship abuse, and queer harassment.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(212) 549-2500
The ACLU works in the courts to defend civil liberties for all people. Check out the website for information on a wide range of GLBTQ issues, including safe school initiatives and same-sex relationship legislation.
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
104 West 29th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 629-3322
GLAAD works to promote fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of GLBTQ people and events in newspapers, magazines, movies, television shows, and other media. Visit the group online for news on its latest advocacy efforts.
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA)
459 Fulton Street, Suite 107
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 255-4547
GLMA is an association of gay and lesbian medical professionals who provide referrals to queer-friendly physicians and health agencies. The group can help connect you with local medical providers who are respectful and supportive of GLBTQ people.
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
90 Broad Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10004
(212) 727-0135
GLSEN works to create safe schools for GLBTQ students. The organization offers information about national efforts to create queer-friendly classrooms as well as resources you can use to take action and create a gay-straight alliance in your school.
Hetrick-Martin Institute
2 Astor Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 674-2400
The Hetrick-Martin Institute has a wide variety of programs for GLBTQ people ages 12 to 21 in the New York City area. While programs are not nationwide, the institute's website is a good source of information for queer young people.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-777-4723
HRC works to protect the rights of GLBTQ people. The organization's website includes information on National Coming Out Day, safe schools, workplace equality, queer-related legislation, and many other issues.
Lambda Legal
120 Wall Street, Suite 1500
New York, NY 10005
(212) 809-8585
Lambda Legal works to protect the civil rights of people who are GLBTQ. Visit the website to learn about its advocacy efforts, and use the interactive map to see how well your state protects the rights of queer people.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)
1325 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 393-5177
NGLTF has advocated for GLBTQ rights for more than three decades. It is a good resource if you experience harassment or discrimination for being queer. Among its many services are referrals to attorneys, physicians, counselors, and other professionals.
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)
1638 R Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
1-800-541-6922
NYAC is a social justice organization advocating for GLBTQ teens. Its mission is to end discrimination and improve the physical and emotional health of queer young people. Visit the website for information on a wide range of GLBTQ issues.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
1828 L Street NW, Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-8180
This national organization has more than 500 affiliates across the United States. With a membership of more than 200,000, it is one of the largest and most influential GLBTQ groups in the country. PFLAG's website features information supporting queer people and their families.
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL)
410 7th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 546-5940
For more than 25 years, this organization has been supporting the health of young GLBTQ people. Offering outreach programs in the Washington, D.C., metro area, SMYAL also provides advocacy information at its website.
Boys Town National Hotline
1-800-448-3000
The Boys Town National Hotline is available 24-7 for both male and female teens in need of help. Professional counselors staff the hotline and can provide advice on any issue, including depression, suicide, and identity struggles. More information is available online (
www.boystown.org
).
GLBT National Hotline
1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)
This hotline is staffed by counselors Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. eastern standard time. Staff provides crisis counseling, referrals, shelter listings, and other information. You can also visit the GLBT National Help Center's website (
www.glnh.org
) for peer-support chats.
National Hopeline Network
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
The National Hopeline Network is for people who are depressed or suicidal, or who are concerned about someone who is. The hotline connects callers to local crisis centers where trained counselors offer help at any time of day or night. Learn more at the Hopeline website (
www.hopeline.com
).
National Runaway Switchboard Hotline
1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)
This hotline provides information for teens who have or are planning to run away from home. It also provides information and referrals for other crisis situations, including home violence, drug or alcohol abuse, and depression. The website (
www.1800runaway.org
) also has information available.
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
This hotline offers crisis support and referrals for those who have been sexually assaulted. Victims of abuse can call whether an attack took place recently or a long time ago. Advice and resources are also available online (
www.rainn.org
).
The Trevor Lifeline
1-866-4-U-Trevor (1-866-488-7386)
This 24-7 hotline sponsored by the The Trevor Project is for GLBTQ teens who are depressed or just need someone to talk to. Trained counselors can offer advice on any issues you're facing and connect you with other resources. You can submit questions via email at the website (
www.thetrevorproject.org
).
Go Ask Alice!
While not specifically for GLBTQ teens, this website features reliable information about sexuality, relationships, and health issues. Experts provide advice in response to questions posted by site visitors. You can read old posts or ask a question of your own.
It Gets Better Project
It's an unfortunate reality that many people still are homophobic, but this website, featuring videos from queer teens and supporters, can help you remember that plenty of accepting, open-minded people also are out there.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health
Maintained by the Centers for Disease Control, this site features GLBTQ-specific advice on sexuality and health for people who are queer. Visit for accurate information and links to additional resources.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Unfortunately, GLBTQ teens are more likely to use drugs and alcohol than their straight peers. If you're using any of these dangerous (and illegal) substances, it's important to get help. This site provides treatment referrals and other useful information.
Oasis Magazine
This online magazine is written by and for GLBTQ teens. Articles and advice columns at the site cover a wide range of important queer issues. It also has a forum where you can connect with other teens.
Scarleteen