Supporting Your Child
A welcoming starting point for families seeking education, practical guidance, peer support, local chapters, and resources about supporting an LGBTQ+ loved one.
Keywords: Family support; Education; Allyship
Learn how specific family behaviors can affect an LGBTQ+ young person’s health and how families can reduce rejection, communicate support, and promote well-being.
Keywords: Family relationships; Mental health; Acceptance
The Trans Teen and Family Narratives Toolkit provides activities and conversation tools that trans and nonbinary teens and their families can use independently or with a mental-health provider to strengthen communication and family support.
Keywords: Transgender and nonbinary youth; Family communication; Family support
Read accessible guidance and find resources selected by the American Academy of Pediatrics for families of transgender and gender-diverse children.
Keywords: Pediatric health; Gender; Parent education
Find practical information for supportive adults about LGBTQ+ identities, mental health, suicide prevention, allyship, and creating affirming environments.
Keywords: Mental health; Allyship; Safety
Access family education, discussion tools, support groups, webinars, and guidance for supporting transgender, nonbinary, gender-expansive, or questioning children.
Keywords: Gender; Family support; Parent education
Explore family-oriented information about sexual orientation, gender identity, schools, healthcare, safety, and supporting LGBTQ+ children and adolescents.
Keywords: Family education; Gender; Sexual orientation
Learn about intersex variations, respectful healthcare, medical decision-making, patient rights, records, and supporting an intersex child’s autonomy.
Keywords: Intersex; Healthcare; Patient autonomy
Recommended Books for Parents and Caregivers
By Michael C. LaSala, PhD
Drawing on research with gay and lesbian young people and their parents, this book explores how families experience the coming-out process and offers guidance for strengthening acceptance, communication, and family relationships.
Keywords: Coming out; Family adjustment; Gay and lesbian youth
By Dannielle Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo
Written in an accessible question-and-answer format, this book addresses parents’ common emotional and practical questions about understanding, communicating with, and supporting an LGBTQ+ child.
Keywords: Parent education; Family communication; LGBTQ+ youth
Connect With Other Families
Connect with free, confidential support groups, individual peer support, educational programs, and a Parent/Caregiver Connection Line for families and loved ones in Greater Boston.
Keywords: Greater Boston; Parent support; Support groups
Connect with education and peer-support communities for families of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse young people.
Keywords: Gender; Parent groups; Family education
Find support groups, educational programs, and community connections for transgender and nonbinary young people and their parents or caregivers.
Keywords: Gender; Youth groups; Caregiver groups
Find Community Programs and Affirming Spaces
Search for queer-owned and LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers, camps, faith communities, educational services, recreational programs, and businesses.
Keywords: Affirming services; Healthcare providers; Community directory
Find LGBTQ+ youth programs, family resources, community events, and opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect in MetroWest Massachusetts.
Keywords: MetroWest Massachusetts; Youth programs; Family resources
Connect LGBTQ+ youth and young adults with Boston-based social programs, health services, leadership opportunities, and affirming community.
Keywords: Boston; Youth community; Health services
Boston GLASS provides culturally affirming community, behavioral-health care, case management, peer support, and health services for LGBTQ+ youth of color and allies ages 13–29.
Keywords: Greater Boston; LGBTQ+ youth of color; Mental health
Access North Shore youth programs, caregiver support, clinician office hours, counseling resources, and help locating affirming healthcare and family services.
Keywords: North Shore Massachusetts; Caregiver support; Youth programs
Find Central Massachusetts youth programs, parent and caregiver resources, free counseling, peer support, and connections to practical community services.
Keywords: Central Massachusetts; Family resources; Mental health
Learn about an inclusive overnight camp in the Massachusetts Berkshires for teens ages 13–18, including LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent young people who may not feel comfortable in traditional camp environments.
Keywords: Summer camp; LGBTQ+ teens; Neurodiversity
Find Affirming Healthcare and Mental-Health Care in MA
Program eligibility, availability, age requirements, and insurance participation may change. Contact each program directly for current information.
Gender-affirming healthcare
Search for information and services related to gender-affirming healthcare, behavioral health, peer support, family support, legal assistance, identity documents, and other needs.
Keywords: Gender; Healthcare information; Community resources
Transhealth provides gender-affirming pediatric care through age 21, mental-health services, community programs, and family support in Western Massachusetts, with in-person, online, and hybrid options.
Keywords: Western Massachusetts; Pediatric care; Family support
Search for New England healthcare programs offering pediatric, adolescent, and adult primary care, hormone care, behavioral health, reproductive healthcare, fertility preservation, surgery, and case management.
Keywords: New England; Provider directory; Healthcare navigation
Boston Medical Center provides multidisciplinary gender-affirming healthcare and connections to primary care, behavioral health, endocrinology, voice therapy, surgical care, and community resources.
Keywords: Boston; Gender-affirming care; Multidisciplinary care
LGBTQIA+-affirming mental-health care
SAYFTEE is an LGBTQIA+-affirming group practice offering individual, family, and relationship therapy, as well as groups, workshops, and consultation.
Keywords: Mental health; Individual and family therapy; LGBTQIA+-affirming
The Youth & Family Gender Identity Program provides gender-affirming, evidence-based mental-health care for LGBTQIA+ adolescents, young adults, and their families.
Keywords: Youth mental health; Gender; Family support
Find LGBTQ+-focused mental-health information, support organizations, hotlines, therapy options, online communities, and educational resources through NAMI Massachusetts.
Keywords: Mental health; Massachusetts; Family support
Navigate Schools and Legal Rights
Find resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students in Massachusetts public schools, including information about bullying, inclusive curricula, GSAs, school policies, and staff training.
Keywords: Massachusetts schools; GSA; School inclusion
Get free, confidential legal information and referrals about LGBTQ+ rights in New England, including questions involving schools, healthcare, family relationships, discrimination, and identity documents.
Keywords: Legal information; New England; Family rights
Find current, state-by-state information about laws and policies that may affect LGBTQ+ young people and their families.
Keywords: State policies; Schools; Healthcare