top of page

LGBTQ Youth Resources

Faith Based Resources

Reconciling Works - Lutherans for Full Participation 

Reconciling Ministries Network - United Methodist Reconciling Community 

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries 

The Institute for Welcoming Resource 

The Naming Project A faith-based summer camp and youth group safe and welcoming to youth of all sexual and gender identities. 

The Transgender and Christian Project series by Austen Lionheart- The Transgender and Christian project is an attempt to help trans Christians find hope at the intersection of their identity and their faith through the study of biblical texts, and through life-giving conversation. 

Heartland Proclamation 

Legal Resources

ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union 

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund

LambdaLegal 

Garden State Equality, NJ’s largest LGBTQ organization 

Sylvia Rivera Law Project

Information and Resources

TransYouth Project- Most current research on gender non-conforming and transgender children.

Conferences

Philadelphia Trans Health Conference- the largest conference in the country related to trans issues for people of all ages and is completely FREE. 

Books

The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children who Live Outside Gender Boxes by Diane Ehrensaft

Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-nonconforming Children by Diane Ehrensaft

The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals by Stephanie Brill

The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-binary Teens by Stephanie Brill

Raising the Transgender Child: A Complete Guide for Parents, Families, and Caregivers by Michele Angello and Alissa Bowman

Raising Ryland: Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached by Hillary Whittington

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

Being Jazz: My Life as a (transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings

Books for Children and Youth

I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall

George by Alex Gino

The Other Boy by M. G. Hennessey

Support Groups

Rad Kids- Rad Kids is a social and educational group for gender-fluid/gender-creative and transgender children fifth grade and younger (and their parents)

Hudson Pride Connections Center - Youth Connect, a space for LGBTQ youth (Jersey City, NJ) 

The Pride Center of NJ - Youth programs (Highland Park, NJ) 

True Colors Center for Creative Therapy- individual counseling, family counseling, and support groups for youth and adults in Newton and Montclair, NJ

HiTops Youth and Community Groups

Crisis Resources

Translifeline.org- a crisis hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people 877-565-8860

The Trevor Project - Crisis resources for LGBTQ youth staffed by trained professionals including hotline, text message, and webchat options.

Medical and Community Support Resources

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - Gender and Sexuality Development Clinic 

Mazzoni Center for LGBTQ health and well-being- health services, education and school trainings, leadership programs and peer support

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center - NYC

Gender and Family Project at the Ackerman Institute in NYC- mental health services & educations and trainings

Triad House- a 24-hour residential group home for youth ages 16-21 with emotional, chronic health and behavioral challenges. Triad House specializes in working with youth who identify as LGBTQ; and fosters an environment that is open and accepting of all youth. 

Trinity Place Shelter- for homeless LGBTQ youth and young adults in New York City

Support for Families, Schools, and Communities

PFLAG- The extended family of the LGBTQ community made up of LGBTQ individuals, family members and allies. They offer support, education, and advocacy through the national organizations and local chapters. There are a number of NJ chapters with their own sites. They can be found through the main site. 

Trans Youth Equality Foundation 

GLAAD

GLSEN- Creating safe and affirming schools for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Local chapter available. 

Gender Spectrum- Extensive resources for helping to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. Good general FAQ about gender identity.

Schools in Transition - A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 schools 

Trans Student Educational Resources 

New Jersey Synod Resources

Contact the Ministry to LGBTQ Persons Task Team -team leader Mimi Confer at mimglo@aol.com or The Rev. Sara Lilja at selilja@leamnj.org

Blog written by Jamie Bruesehoff, personal story and resources. 

Jamie’s email address is iamtotallythatmom@gmail.com

Faith, Hope & Love is a day event to help equip congregations around issues of safety and welcome for LGBTQ youth! This is for Sr. High 

Youth, Pastors, Youth Leaders, Parents, and other Congregational Leaders.

1930 State Highway 33

Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

609-586-6800

Large-Copy-of-Copy-RIC-NEW-Logo.png

© 2024 New Jersey Synod, ELCA
All rights reserved.

“Our synod office is located on land which is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”

bottom of page