Getting Help and Support
Health and Mental Health
Organizations to find therapists, groups, doctors, and other health resources.
Families
Organizations to LGBT families: parents, children, partners.
HIV/AIDS
Service Agencies for HIV+ individuals and couples.
Professions
LGBT Professional organizations
Communities
LGBT communities by age. spirituality, etc.
Advocacy and Services
LGBT Advocacy Agencies
Community Centers
SF Bay Area LGBT Centers
National Organizations
National organizations for LGBT rights and opportunities
Internet, News, and Books
Web-Based LGBT search engines, newspapers and resources
Professional and Regulatory Agencies
Agencies to research and verify licenses of mental health professionals.
(•) Health and Mental Health [Return to Top]
The SF Bay Area has many agencies devoted to the physical and mental health of LGBT clients. The list below includes some of these.
New Leaf Services (SF)
Telephone: 415-626-7000
Website: http://www.newleafservices.org/
A nonprofit multi-purpose counseling center for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
Pacific Center for Human Growth, East Bay GBLT Community Center
Telephone: (510) 548-8283
Website: http://www.pacificcenter.org/
Dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of our LGBT community, Pacific Center offers affordable, dependable, and effective counseling when you need a listening ear and caring support. Also provides peer support groups.
Community United Against Violence
Telephone: (415) 777-5500
Website: http://www.cuav.org/index.php
Provides a number of services to help combat hate-crimes and violence in the LGBT community.
Gay & Lesbian Medical Association/Gay & Lesbian Physician Referral
Telephone: (415) 255-4547
Website: http://www.glma.org
GLMA works to maximize the quality of health and health services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, to promote full civil rights, and to foster a professional climate in which our diverse members can achieve their full potential.
Lyon-Martin Women's Health Services
Telephone: (415) 565-7667
Website: http://www.sfccc.org/clinics/lmwhs.htm
Provide quality, affordable, nonjudgmental, comprehensive health care and health education for women, by women. We are committed to serving all women with a focus on lesbians and special outreach to women of color, low income women, older women and women with disabilities.
Sober Recovery
Website: http://www.soberrecovery.com/links/gayandlesbianresources.html
Resources for GLBT treatment of addictions of all kinds.
Tom Waddell Health Center
Telephone: (415) 554-2950
Website: http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/chn/hlthctrs/tomwadell.htm
Offers comprehensive primary care to transgendered people while addressing the unique needs of the population.
(•) Our Families [Return to Top]
Families of Birth, Families of Choice
Many LGBT individuals need support in coming out to the birth families, or dealing with the reactions they get when they do. For the families we create by choice (partners, children, friends) we sometimes also need support. These organizations are a good place to begin.
All Our Families Coalition
Telephone: (415) 665-8641
Website: http://www.allourfamilies.org
Promotes the civil rights and well being of families and individuals whose civil rights are at risk through education, advocacy, and grassroots community organizing.
Couples San Francisco Bay Area
Website: http://www.sfcouples.com/
CSFBA (Couples of the San Francisco Bay Area) is a social, educational, advocacy, support, and networking organization for gay and lesbian couples.
Children of Lesbians & Gays Everywhere (COLAGE SF/Bay Area)
Telephone: (415) 861-5437
Website: http://www.colage.org
Colage's mission is to help foster the growth of daughters and sons of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents.
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Telephone: (415) 921-8850
Website: http://www.pflag.org/
Committed to help change negative attitudes and to create an environment of understanding so that all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people can live with dignity and respect.
(•) HIV/AIDS [Return to Top]
For HIV- and HIV +. Some of these organizations are devoted to providing support and services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Others are dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV in the LGBT community. There are several devoted the particular needs of specific cultures.
UCSF AIDS Health Project (UCSF/AHP)
Telephone: (415) 476-3902
Website: http://www.ucsf-ahp.org/
Provides peer support groups and therapy for HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, and for couples.
AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP)
Telephone: (415) 701-1100
Website: http://www.alrp.org
ALRP assists persons living with HIV or AIDS with legal matters.
Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center
Telephone: (415) 292-3400TTY: (415) 292-3410
Website: http://www.apiwellness.org
Provides health and HIV/STD information targeting the Asian and Pacific Islander community.
Bay Area Young Positives
Telephone: (415) 487-1616
E-mail: baypoz@aol.com
This project uses a staff of paid and volunteer youth to help support HIV positive youth 26 and under.
BLACK Coalition on AIDS, Inc.
Telephone: (415) 615-9945
Website: http://www.bcoa.org
Provides services through education and advocacy to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the black community.
Latino AIDS Services/Instituto Familiar de la Raza
Telephone: (415) 229-0500
Email: ccabrera@ifrrss.org
Provides HIV/AIDS services primarily for the Latino community.
Native American AIDS Project
Telephone: (415) 431-6227
Website: http://www.naap-ca.org
Offers services to the Native American community living with HIV/AIDS.
Positive Resource Center
Telephone: (415) 777-0333
Website: http://www.positiveresource.org
Mission is to assist people affected by HIV/AIDS through culturally appropriate counseling, education and advocacy in making informed choices which maximize available benefits and employment opportunities.
Project Inform
Telephone: (800) 822-7422
Website: http://www.projinf.org
Provides vital information on the diagnosis and treatment of HIV disease. Advocates for enlightened regulatory, research, and funding policies. Inspires people to make informed choices and to choose hope over despair.
Project Open Hand
Telephone: (415) 447-2300
Website: http://www.openhand.org
Delivers meals and groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS, seniors and critically ill persons under 60 years old.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Telephone: (800) 367-AIDS
Website: http://www.sfaf.org
Provides various services for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Shanti
Telephone: (415) 674-4700
Website: http://www.shanti.org
Offer various resources and counseling to those living with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and caregivers.
Stop AIDS Project
Telephone: (415) 575-0155
Website: http://www.stopaids.org
Nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing HIV transmission among all gay, bisexual, and transgendered men in San Francisco through multicultural, community-based organizing.
Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center
Telephone: (415) 431-7476
Website: http://www.tarcsf.org
Community Center that offers resources and counseling for HIV/AIDS and various other services.
(•) Professions [Return to Top]
Our Work
Looking for a professional resource, and want to work with someone who will understand your needs? These LGBT professional organizations are a great place to start, whether you are looking to find a provider, or wanting to network with others.
The Bar Association of San Francisco Lawyer Referral Service
Telephone: (415) 989-1616
Website: http://www.sfbar.org/lrs
Provide various legal services and helps to achieve equality in the legal profession for minorities, women, gay men and lesbians.
Bay Area Career Women
Telephone: (415) 865-5630
Website: http://www.bacw.org
BACW is a 501C 3 not-for-profit organization where women who love women come to network, to socialize and to give back to the community.
Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom
Telephone: (415) 956-5764
Website: http://www.balif.org
Helps the LGBT community to get their voice heard in the justice system and helps to combat all forms of discrimination
San Francisco National Organization for Women (SF NOW)
Telephone: (415) 861-8880
Website: http://www.sfnow.org
Founded in 1966, NOW has grown into the largest women's rights organization in this country.
San Francisco Women's Center, The Women's Building
Telephone: (415) 431-1180
Website: http://www.womensbuilding.org
The Women's Building is the only place in San Francisco that offers both the physical and emotional space for women, regardless of age, sexuality, race, or class, to build their own community.
(•) Our Communities [Return to Top]
Within the LGBT family there are many distinct communities, made unique by culture, age, identity, or lifestyle. Some of these resources are listed here.
Gay Sangha
Website: http://www.gaysangha.org/
The purpose of our Sangha is to support each other’s practice and to help each other live wise and compassionate lives. GMBS offers meditation and mindfulness practice, classes, dialogue, as well as social interaction for gay men.
Gay Asian Pacific Alliance
Website: http://www.gapa.org/
An organization dedicated to furthering the interests of gay & bisexual Asian/Pacific Islanders by creating awareness, by developing a positive collective identity and by establishing a supportive community.
Gay & Lesbian Outreach to Elders
Telephone: (415) 626-7000
Website: http://www.newleafservices.org
Serving approximately 400 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender participants age 60 and over from their 1874 Market Street location, New Leaf Outreach to Elders provides a range of free social services and activities promoting independent living.
Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN -San Francisco/East Bay)
Telephone: (510) 338-0880
Website: http://www.glsen-sfeb.org
Works to ensure that every member of the school community is respected no matter what their sexual orientation or identity.
Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)
Telephone: (415) 703-6150
Website: http://www.lyric.org
LYRIC brings LGBTQQ youth togther to build a peer-based community that empowers them to end isoation; create a progressive queer youth voice; increase well-beng and self-esteem; and change the communities in which they live.
MCC San Francisco
Telephone: 415 863-4434
Website: http://www.mccsf.org/
Located in the heart of the Castro, MCCSF is a 35-year old community built on a foundation of being "A House of Prayer for All People". MCC defines itself as a progressive church, influenced by liberation, inclusive, feminist as well as traditional Christian theologies. We celebrate God's image as both feminine and masculine, and the embodied integration of sexuality and spirituality.
San Francisco Leather
Website: http://www.sanfranciscoleather.com/
Listings of events, bars, gatherings, photos of the SF Leather Community.
Transgender San Francisco
Website: http://www.transgender.org/tgsf
Offers services and support to the transgender community.
(•) Advocacy and Services [Return to Top]
These organizations either advocate for LGBT rights on local, state, and National issues; or work to provide information and services to the LGBT community. Each one has a specific focus, as indicated
California Association for Pride and Equality (CAPE)
Telephone: (562) 439-7304
Website: http://www.calcape.org
CAPE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots-based, statewide advocacy organization at the forefront of the California marriage equality movement
Equal Rights Advocates
Telephone: (415) 621-0672
Website: http://www.equalrights.org
Helps protect and secure legal rights and economic opportunities for women through litigation.
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society of Northern California
Telephone: (415) 777-5455
Website: http://www.glbthistory.org
Preserves, collects and promotes an active knowledge of the arts, history, and culture of sexually diverse people.
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Telephone: (415) 861-2244
Website: http://www.glaad.org
Dedicated to ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of the LGBT community in the media and to eliminate homophobia.
Openhouse aka Rainbow Adult Community Housing
Telephone: (415) 281-0800
Website: http://www.openhouse-sf.org
Mission is to create and sustain a residential community for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors in San Francisco.
Out And Equal
Telephone: (415) 439-4272
Website: http://www.outandequal.org
Goal is to provide services and programs that promote equality for all individuals, especially the LGBT community, families, and allies, in the workplace.
(.) Community Centers [Return to Top]
Usually in response to local events, LGBT communities throughout the Bay Area have united at various times to create centers. These organizations provide meeting spaces, a broad referral network, and a sense of community. Call or visit your local one today to find out how it can help meet your needs.
Billy DeFrank Center, San Jose GLBT Community Center
Telephone: 408.293.2429
Website: http://www.defrank.org/
Provides a broad array of opportunities and programs, a dedicated and caring staff, a corps of volunteers, and a spirit of community that celebrates the many facets of our broad-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender constituency.
Rainbow Community Center - Contra Costa
Telephone: 925.692.0090
Website: http://www.rainbowcc.org/
The Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County fosters a sense of community among LGBTQ persons and enhances their lives by providing social opportunities, health and wellness services, political and educational programs, and is guided by a commitment to acceptance and equality.
San Francisco LGBT Community Center
Telephone: (415) 865-5555
Website: http://www.sfcenter.org/
The Center provides San Francisco with a vast array of programs and services for LGBT people, their friends and families. Our programs are unique because The Center is unique! In addition to our own programs, we collaborate with many organizations serving youth, the elderly, parents and marginalized communities by providing legal, health, social, educational and cultural services that benefit the entire lifespan of LGBT people.
Spectrum, Marin GBLT Community Center
Phone: 415-457-1115
Website: http://www.spectrummarin.org/
Founded in 1982, Spectrum’s mission is to strengthen, mobilize, and serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people, and promote acceptance, understanding, and full inclusion in Marin County and the North Bay.
(•) National Organizations [Return to Top]
National Organizations can be helpful in addressing legal concerns and human rights situations. Many also have local offices. These are also excellent resources for remaing up-to-date on current issues affecting LGBT communities.
ACLU
Website: http://www.aclu.org/
The mission of the ACLU is to preserve protections and guarantees regarding your First Amendment rights, your right to equal protection under the law, your right to due process, and your right to privacy.
Deaf Queer Resource Center
Website: http://www.deafqueer.org/
A national nonprofit resource and information center for, by and about the Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex and Questioning communities (hereafter referred to as the "Deaf Queer community").
Human Rights Campaign
Telephone: (202) 628-4160
Website: http://www.hrc.org
Work for lesbian and gay equal rights.
In The Life
Website: http://www.inthelifetv.org
A national television series in a newsmagazine format that reports on LGBT issues and culture. Segments from some of our past episodes have been devoted to topics such as Youth and Education, Health and AIDS, Arts and Culture, Workplace, Relationships and Family, and Global Issues.
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Telephone: (415) 255-8680
Website: http://www.iglhrc.org
IGLHRC's mission is to protect and advance the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.
Intersex Society of North America
Telephone: (707) 283-0036
Website http://www.isna.org
Devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anomaly of the reproductive system.
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
Telephone: (323) 937-2728
Website: http://www.lambdalegal.org
The nation's oldest and largest legal organization dedicated to the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV/AIDS.
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Telephone: (415) 392-6257
Website: http://www.nclrights.org
National legal resource center with a primary commitment to advancing the rights and safety of lesbians and their families.
National Gay Lesbian Task Force
Telephone: (202) 332-6483
Website: http://www.ngltf.org
A national progressive organization working for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, with the vision and commitment to building a powerful political movement.
The NAMES Project Foundation: AIDS Memorial Quilt
Website: http://www.aidsquilt.org/
Founded in 1987, The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a poignant memorial, a powerful tool for use in preventing new HIV infections, and the largest ongoing community arts project in the world.
(•) Internet, News, and Books [Return to Top]
There are more sources of LGBT information than ever before. Community Newspapers produce print and online versions; bookstores have phsycial and online stores; various websites cater to LGBT searchers. Some of these are listed at right.
Internet Resources
Planet OUT
Website: http://www.planetout.com/
The leading global media and entertainment company exclusively serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Queery - Gay Search Engine
Website: http://www.queery.com/home.php
One of the most popular gay and lesbian web portals in the Internet. In addition to bringing users the latest GLBT news on a daily basis, Queery.com is also the host of many unique features.
Queer Resources Directory
Website: http://www.qrd.org/qrd/
An electronic library with news clippings, political contact information, newsletters, essays, images, hyperlinks, and every other kind of information resource of interest to the GLBO community. Information is stored for the use of casual network users and serious researchers alike.
Rainbow Query - Search the Queer Internet!
Website: http://www.glweb.com/
Website for launching different gay-oriented web searches.
News and Books Resources
A Different Light
Website: http://www.adlbooks.com
A Different Light Bookstore:
Bay Area Reporter
Telephone: 415.861.5019
Website: http://www.ebar.com/
Bay Area Reporter is San Francisco's oldest and largest local newspaper of record serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities
EastBay Voice
Website: http://www.eastbayvoice.org/
Serves the diverse and dynamic East Bay LGBT community with personals, reviews, discussion forums, an LGBT eDirectory, chat rooms, and more.
(•)Professional and Regulatory [Return to Top]
There are different kinds of licensed psychotherapy professionals: MFTs, LCSWs, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists. Each has a unique specialization and all are trained in providing therapy. Each has its own professional organizations and regulatory boards. Check the links here to research each license type, verify licenses, and find out more.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
National Association of Social Workers
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
East Bay Chapter (510) 848-8400
San Francisco Chapter 415-273-1954
Marin Chapter - 415-459-3484
Redwood Empire Chapter (707) 575-0596
Santa Clara Valley Chapter 408 235-0210
Sacramento Valley Chapter - 916-744-6112
Santa Cruz County Chapter - 831-429-7786
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatrist
Medical Board of California
American Psychiatric Association
California Psychiatric Association
Psychologist
American Psychological Associaton (APA)
California Board of Psychology
San Francisco Psychological Association
Santa Clara County's Psychological Association
There are many organizations in the Bay Area designed to be support LGBT clients in various ways. See the designations at right for more detailed links in each area.
Hotlines
GLBT National Help Center
Telephone: 1-888-843-4564
1-800-246-7743 (National Youth Talkline)
Website: http://www.glnh.org/
Providing free and confidential telephone and email peer counseling. Information, and local resources for GLBTQ callers throughout the U.S.
Nightline Suicide Prevention
Telephone: 415-781-0500
24-hour crisis line. Feeling depressed and desperate? Call.
