LGBT Support
Remember – asking for help doesn't make you weak or attention seeking. You deserve to be taken seriously, and it might be the first step towards a solution.
Being LGBT can sometimes be challenging.
You might feel that you need someone to talk to – about being LGBT; life in general; your moods and feelings; or just to chat.
No matter what you want to talk about, always remember that you are never alone.
There are many organisations that can help you with your questions and concerns. LGBT Youth Scotland is part of a network of youth groups working with LGBT young people. Click on the Your Area section of this website to find out about services in your area.
If there is no one around whom you feel you can talk to, or if you want some confidential information and advice, here are some other organisations that can help.
LGBT Websites
Being Gay is Okay! www.bgiok.org.uk
This is a great website for young gay men and women with top tips, real life stories, a problem page and other fun stuff.
The Queer Youth Alliance www.queeryouth.org.uk
Britain's largest peer-moderated online community for young LGBT people. Conversation boards, information and links.
Lesbian and Bisexual Women
LIKT www.likt.org.uk
For young lesbian and bisexual women.
Gay and Bisexual Men
Gay Men’s Health www.gmh.org.uk
For gay and bisexual men – love, relationships, safer sex, HIV, personal safety, social groups, health and advice.
Healthy Gay Scotland www.healthygayscotland.com
More stuff for gay and bisexual men, including directories, advice and fabulous free condoms by post.
Bisexual people
Bi Community News www.bicommunitynews.co.uk
The national newsletter for bisexual people in the UK, with other bi links and information.
Transgender people
Mermaids www.mermaids.freeuk.com
Information and support for young transgender people and their families.
For more information for transgender people, click on the "Transgender" link on the right.
Black and minority ethnic LGBT people
LGBT Youth Scotland encourages young BME people to access our services, and try to be inclusive through our practices. Please get in touch if you have any questions about our services.
Naz Project London www.naz.org.uk
The NAZ Project is a London based project focusing on sexual health for BME people that is very LGBT friendly. Their website has a lot of links to other organisations with support for BME people.
Safra www.safraproject.org
SAFRA is one of the few UK-based organisations which deal with issues around sexuality and being BME. It is an organisation specifically for Lesbian, Bisexual and/or Transgender women who identify either culturally or religiously as Muslim (Muslim LBT women). Their website is a useful and informative resource.
LGBT people with disabilities
LGBT Youth Scotland is committed to reducing the barriers experienced by LGBT young people with disabilities. If you are disabled and want to access our services, please get in touch and we will make every reasonable effort to make this possible.
LGBT Phone Lines
Strathclyde Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
www.sgls.co.uk
0141 847 0447
Telephone advice and support for LGBT people in the West of Scotland.
Lothian Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
www.lgls.co.uk
Main line: 0131 556 4049
7.30pm to 10pm 7 days a week
Lesbian line: 0131 557 0751
7.30pm to 10pm Mondays and Thursdays
Telephone advice and support for LGBT people in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and the rest of the country. Much more information about its services on the website.
For information about other LGBT switchboards visit www.switchboard.org.uk
Phone lines for parents of LGBT people
Parents Enquiry Scotland
www.parentsenquiryscotland.org
0131 556 6047
This is a support line and website for the parents of LGBT people, providing a confidential, non-judgmental listening service.
Other Support
Sometimes you may just need someone to talk to. These helplines are great if you need support in an emergency, especially late at night when you have no one else to talk to.
Breathing Space www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk
0800 83 85 87
6pm-2am 7 days a week
A free, confidential phone line you can call when you're feeling down. They also have an excellent website which has loads of information and a self-help toolkit.
The Samaritans www.samaritans.org
08457 90 90 90
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The Samaritans will not try to give you advice, judge you or tell you what to do, they will just listen and support you. They are there for anyone, especially those who are suicidal or in crisis.
ChildLine www.childline.org.uk
0800 1111
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
A free, confidential helpline for children and young people to talk about any problem. The website is also full of information and links.
If there are any useful websites that you feel are missing from this list, please contact us at info@lgbtyouth.org.uk.
Remember – asking for help doesn't make you weak or attention seeking. You deserve to be taken seriously, and it might be the first step towards a solution.