LGBTQ+ Resources
Research shows that autistic people are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+. But not all autistic people are offered the chance to talk about, process or learn about gender, sex and sexuality in ways that work for them.
The following recommendations provide information on sexual orientation and gender identity. Included are external organizations which provide confidential support in safe, affirming spaces.
LGBTQ+support organizations
These toll-free lines are staffed by either trained LGBTQ+ youth or adults, or by trained youth or adults that are LGBTQ+ friendly.
- The Trevor Project: The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people.
- Text: 'START' to 678-678
- Call: 866-488-7386
- Join TrevorSpace, a moderated online community for LGBTQ+ youth
- Human Rights Campaign: The largest LGBTQ advocacy group and LGBTQ political lobbying organization in the United States.
- Find HRC events and communities in your area
- National Center for Transgender Equality: The leading advocacy organization for the legal and political rights of transgender Americans.
- LGBT National Help Center: Non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides vital peer support, community connections, and resource information through helplines and online chatrooms. Services focus on sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression.
- Hotline (for all ages): Confidential space for callers to speak about coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide and more.
- Monday to Friday 2PM to 11PM EST; Saturday 12PM to 5PM EST
- Call: 888-843-4564
- 1-on-1 Online Peer Support Chat: A crisis chat service staffed by trained LGBTQ+ peer support volunteers.
- Monday to Friday 2PM to 11PM EST; Saturday 12PM to 5PM EST
- Coming Out Support Hotline: Coming out can mean different things to different people. While we never tell someone whether they should come out, we are here with you to think about those big decisions and to provide the care and safe space you deserve.
- Monday to Friday 2PM to 11PM EST; Saturday 12PM to 5PM EST
- Call: 888-OUT-LGBT
- Youth Talkline (ages 25 and under)
- Monday to Friday 2PM to 11PM EST; Saturday 12PM to 5PM EST
- Call: 800-246-7743
- Youth chatrooms (moderated) also available
- Senior Hotline
- Monday to Friday 2PM to 11PM EST; Saturday 12PM to 5PM EST
- Call: 800-234-7243
- Hotline (for all ages): Confidential space for callers to speak about coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide and more.
- It Gets Better: A non-profit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.
- Download imi, a mental health resource app for LGBTQ+ youth run by It Gets Better
- GLSEN: An American education organization working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and to prompt LGBT cultural inclusion and awareness in K-12 schools
- Find a chapter near you
- Pride Institute LGBTQ Dependency: An inclusive and accepting program that has been helping members of the LGBTQ+ community cope with addiction and mental health issues since 1986. They offer residential treatment centers, outpatient programs and more.
- Call: 800-547-7433
- Trans Lifeline: A mental health nonprofit that runs a crisis hotline for transgender and nonbinary individuals staffed by trained peer supporters.
- Monday to Friday 12PM to 8PM EST
- Call (U.S.): 877-565-8860
- Call (Canada): 877-330-6366
- Press #2 to talk with Spanish-speaking operators
- Pride Institute: Substance use disorder, sexual health issues and mental health conditions tailored specifically to the LGBTQ+ community.
- Call: 833-925-2100
- PFLAG: Born from the unified front of a family leading with love, PFLAG is fueled by an inspiring alliance of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones. It is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
- Find a chapter near you
Resources for self-advocates
- New insights into the sexual health and activity of autistic adults and adolescents | Autism Speaks
- Self-advocates in conversation: Connections between autism and gender presentation | Autism Speaks
- Study finds higher rates of gender diversity among autistic individuals | Autism Speaks
- Finding your community | Autism Speaks
- Sex ed for self-advocates | Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
- Autistic people more likely to identify as LGBTQ | SPARK for Autism
- Webinar: Sexual orientation, gender identity and autism spectrum disorder : SPARK for Autism (video of a previously recorded webinar)
- Sexuality on the Autism Spectrum | Synapse (Australia)
- Some adults with autism traits reject conventional sexual labels | Spectrum News
- Autistic and LGBTQ: The facts | Autistic Empire
Resources for parents
- Advice for parents on gender identity | Autism Speaks
- Expert Q&A: Gender-affirming care for transgender autistic youth | Autism Speaks
- Navigating sex education and reproductive care: A guide for parents and caregivers of autistic youth | Autism Speaks
- Finding your community | Autism Speaks
- Advice to parents on raising a happy and healthy LGBTQ child | The Washington Post
- Why we need to respect sexual orientation, gender diversity in autism | Spectrum News
- Gender and sexuality in autism, explained | Spectrum News
- Gender and autism program | Children's National Hospital
- Sexual orientation and gender identity | Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Resources for educators and community members
- Welcoming schools | Human Rights Campaign
- LGBTQI Resource Page | Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT)
- Sexual, Gender Identity and Autism | Autism Society