Supportive Resources for Trans Teens and Youth

SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES FOR TRANS YOUTH

There are many free, established organizations that support transgender teens, young adults, and their families, offering peer community, family guidance, school resources, help finding affirming care, and crisis support. The resources below are national, reputable, and current as of the date above; most serve families anywhere in the United States.

You do not need to be in crisis or certain of anything to reach out to any of them. Many exist specifically for the questions that come up early: how to support a young person, where to find community, and how to find qualified care.

CONTENT NOTE

This page discusses suicide risk, depression, and anxiety among young people. If you or someone you love needs support right now, the resources are gathered here, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.

PFLAG for local, in-person family support groups nationwide.

The Trevor Project for 24/7 crisis support and youth resources.

Gender Spectrum offers free online groups for families of gender-diverse youth.

For finding a qualified provider, see the affirming-care directories below and our own guide to finding a therapist.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS

KEY TAKEAWAYS

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

These national nonprofits provide information, community, and support for transgender young people and their families.

PFLAG — The largest organization for LGBTQ+ people and their families, with hundreds of local chapters offering free, in-person peer support groups for parents, caregivers, and loved ones. Use its chapter finder to locate one near you.

The Trevor Project — The leading suicide-prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, offering 24/7 support and a large library of youth-focused resources.

Gender Spectrum — Provides free, facilitated online groups where parents and caregivers of gender-diverse children and teens can connect, plus practical guidance and a parent handbook.

Family Equality — Focuses on advocacy, community, and education for LGBTQ+ families, including a legislative state tracker so families can follow laws that affect them.

Glisten (formerly GLSEN) — The national education organization (renamed from GLSEN in 2026) focused on safe, inclusive K-12 schools, with resources on starting a GSA and supporting LGBTQ+ students.

CenterLink - Supports and connects LGBTQ community centers around the country. Use its directory to find an LGBTQ center near you.

FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES

If you are supporting a young person and are not sure where to begin, these focus specifically on families.

PFLAG Connects: Gender Spectrum Parent Community — A recurring virtual support meeting open to parents and caregivers of gender-diverse people of any age.

TransFamilies — Runs online support groups, a youth leadership program, and a self-paced parent support program for families of trans and nonbinary youth, available everywhere.

Gender Spectrum family groups — Free online communities and a yearly family conference with programming for parents and caregivers.

For our own step-by-step guidance, see how to support a transgender teen and how family support affects wellbeing.

AT SCHOOL

For issues around school climate, names and pronouns, and student clubs:

Glisten (formerly GLSEN) — Offers resources for students and educators, including how to start or join a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and materials on safe, inclusive schools.

For practical, family-facing guidance, see our page on names and pronouns at school.

FINDING AFFIRMATIVE CARE & PROVIDERS

To find a qualified, supportive clinician or therapist, these directories let you search by location and specialty.

Psychology Today therapist finder — A large, searchable directory of therapists you can filter for those experienced with gender identity and LGBTQ+ clients.

LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory — A free, searchable database of all kinds of medical professionals and healthcare providers knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ people in the U.S. and Canada. Run by GLMA, one of the world's oldest and largest associations of allied healthcare professionals, and the Tegan & Sara Foundation.

Our own guide to finding a gender therapist for your teen walks through what to look for and the questions to ask.