Student Support Services

Some LGBTQ youth are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience bullying or other aggression in school. It is important that educators, counselors, and school administrators have access to resources and support to create a safe, healthy learning environment for all students. 

• Advocates for Youth (AFY): Are you an Askable Parent? 
  AFY provides lesson plans, tips and strategies, background information, and additional resources to help youth-serving professionals create safe spaces for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 
• American Psychological Association: Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 
  Accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation. 
• The Family Acceptance Project 
  The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education, and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBT children and youth. 
• HealthyChildren.org: Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBT Teens 
  “Coming out” is a lifelong journey of understanding, acknowledging and sharing one’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation with others. 
• Kidshealth.org: Sexual Attraction and Orientation 
  Information for parents on how youth experience sexual attraction and orientation, as well as how you as a parent or guardian may feel about and deal with youth on this topic. 
• Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 
  Information about PFLAG’s confidential peer support and education in communities. 
• How Parents’ Influence the Health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens
  Information on how parents can promote positive health outcomes for their LGB teen. 
• SAMHSA: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children 
  This resource guide was developed to help practitioners who work in a wide range of settings to understand the critical role of family acceptance and rejection in contributing to the health and well-being of adolescents who identify as LGBTQ. 
• StopBullying.gov: Information for Parents 
  Parents play a key role in preventing and responding to bullying. If you know or suspect that your child is involved in bullying, here are several resources that may help. 
• Youth.gov: Electronic Aggression 
  Increased access to technology has benefits, but it also can increase the risk of abuse.