Resources for Parents & Straight Allies

One of the more common questions asked of Odyssey Youth Center by our straight friends is how they can help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. 

Well, we know that people who know someone who is gay or lesbian are more likely to support equal rights for all gay and lesbian people. One of the best ways to help is to get informed and involved in issues of equality for LGBT peoples.

This section provides links and information that will guide you in that process.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States. Their mission is to promote the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends.

Make sure to check out their Straight for Equality program under their Education and Programs section as well as their Welcoming Faith Communities program. In addition, they and HRC (see below) have developed a booklet titled A Straight Guide to GLBT Americans that is a must read.

Spokane has a local chapter of PFLAG.  There are some great parents, relatives and friends of LGBT people involved and you can check out their group or get more information at their website.

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
Did you know that in the United States alone, more then 10 million people have one of more lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender parent(s)? COLAGE is a national organization that specifically supports children, youth and adults with LGBT parent(s).

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

HRC is one of Odyssey Youth Center’s primary sources of information and pamphlets. Be sure to check out their Coming Out guides – they offer them for LGBT people of color as well as in Spanish! In addition to the much used coming out guides, they also have a tremendous resource and publications section that can be downloaded from their HRC Publications section including one on a handbook for understanding transgender Americans.

Family Pride
Family Pride is the national non-profit organization committed to securing family equality for all loving families, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer parents, guardians and allies. Their work consists of strategically linked initiatives—broad in scope, but simple in vision—love, justice, family, equality.

Straight Spouse Network
Straight Spouse Network (SSN) is an international organization that provides personal, confidential support and information to heterosexual spouses/partners, current or former, of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender mates and mixed-orientation couples for constructively resolving coming-out problems.

The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students.