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8 Anonymous and/or Free Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth

Jun 21, 2024 | LQBTQ+, Pride

Forward, Together with western tidewater community services board

More people identify as LGBTQ+ than ever before. This growing community offers LGBTQ+ youth a much-needed sense of belonging. But things are far from perfect. According to the ACLU, in 2023 there were 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced into the U.S. Congress. This year, we’ve unfortunately already surpassed that number – as of June 7th, 2024, there are already 516 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in Congress. These threats to the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans make safe spaces more important than ever.

What Is a Safe Space?

If you or someone you care about feels uncomfortable or unsafe to be openly LGBTQ+ at school, work or even at home, you might be looking for a safe space.

A safe space is a place or community where you feel:

  • Accepted for who you are
  • Peaceful
  • Free to express yourself
  • Supported and understood
  • Safe from harm or judgment
  • Included by your peers
  • Like part of a community with others like you

Why Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth Are So Important

The threats to the community are especially detrimental to LGBTQ+ youth, whose mental health is suffering.

The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People found that:

  • 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year — including 46% of transgender and nonbinary young people. LGBTQ+ youth of color reported higher rates than white peers
  • More than 1 in 10 (12%) LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year
  • 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it
  • 90% of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics
  • Nearly half (49%) of LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-17 experienced bullying in the past year, and those who did reported significantly higher rates attempting suicide in the past year than those who did not experience bullying

The survey also found that LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those who reported living in very unaccepting communities. That’s why safe spaces are so important for LGBTQ+ youth.

If you’re looking for some accessible safe spaces, here are 8 local, national and online safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth here in the Western Tidewater area and beyond. 

Anonymous and/or Free Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth in the U.S.

Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth in Virginia

1. LGBT Life Center – Norfolk, VA

The LGBT Life Center in Norfolk provides “rapid re-housing for individuals who suddenly find themselves homeless,” as well as permanent housing for LGBTQ+ and HIV positive individuals. Through their housing services, community-led workshops and local groups and events like the YOUth Matter LGBTQ+ Youth Group, the LGBT Life Center aims to help LGBTQ+ community members to achieve “economic stability, social self-reliance, and better health.” 

2. Roanoke Diversity Center – Roanoke, VA

The Roanoke Diversity Center’s mission is to “to support, educate, empower, and advocate for LGBT individuals and groups in the Roanoke region, and to encourage collaborative efforts with the greater community to improve the quality of life for all.” The Center offers local support groups and events for the Roanoke LGBTQ+ community.

3. Friendly City Safe Space – Harrison, VA 

The Friendly City Safe Space is a community for both LGBTQ+ community individuals and their allies. They offer a safe physical space in Harrison, Virginia, that includes a free clothing closet, a lending library, free menstrual, hygiene, and personal grooming items, free snacks and access to a food pantry if needed.

4. Shenandoah LGBTQ Center – Staunton, VA

The Shenandoah LGBTQ Center “strengthens the LGBTQIA+ community through advocacy, education, programs and safe spaces.” They offer peer support groups, vaccinations and other health and wellness events, access to a community health worker, and housing solutions for young adults aged 18-24.

5. WTCSB Group – Together in Pride

Starting July 2024, WTCSB will be hosting a LGBTQIA+ support group for individuals 18+. Together in Pride will offer peer support circles, workshops, guest speakers, social events, creative expressions, and strives to offer a safe space where LGBTQIA+ individuals can have peer support, validation, acceptance, mental health support, and identity exploration. Go here to register!

Related: Taking a Mental Health Day at a Virginia Public School

National Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth 

1. Your Local LGBTQ+ Community Center

You can find LGBTQ+ Community Centers in most major cities. If you don’t live near any of these Virginia community centers, use this directory to find your nearest LGBTQ+ Center.

Online Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth

2. Safe Space Alliance

The Safe Space Alliance is a nonprofit organization that helps people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Safe Space Alliance maintains an online directory of worldwide LGBTQ+ safe spaces. They also help LGBTQ+ people get to safety when needed.

3. TrevorSpace

TrevorSpace is an online community for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-24. TrevorSpace gives LGBTQ+ youth the ability to join an affirming and welcoming community of peers who share their lived experiences, but also allows them more anonymity than possible at an in-person meetup. 

4. LGBTeens on Reddit

LGBTeens, “a place where LGBTeens and LGBT allies can hang out, get advice, and share content,” is another welcoming online community for LGBTQ+ youth. 

Western Tidewater CSB Is a Safe Space for Our LGBTQ+ Community Members

Western Tidewater Community Services Board (WTCSB) is the single point of entry for access to mental health services, developmental disabilities support, and substance abuse services for Franklin and Suffolk and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton. We’re dedicated to serving everyone in our community, including our LGBTQ+ community members. If you’re looking for mental health services, help for substance abuse or support for autism or another developmental disorder, we can help.

We offer three easy ways to get same-day access to services:

  1. You can make an appointment online
  2. You can call us at (757) 758-5106 during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM)
  3. You can walk in to a clinic, depending on availability

Get started now and let’s move forward together.

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