LGBTQIA+ Resources SLC

Jun 13

Amidst the colorful pride festivals and parades, it might be hard to remember the hardships members of the LGBTQIA+ community go through on a day-to-day basis. We are lucky to live in such an inclusive city, but that doesn’t eliminate all of the backlash LGBTQ members face from family members, neighbors, or from members of their church community. Because of this, it is essential that resources are available to all LGBTQ members throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Let’s take a look at the resources Salt Lake City has to offer to the queer community.

LGBTQIA+ Community Centers

Salt Lake has a few community centers dedicated to LGBTQIA+ community specifically. These spaces are used to host events that promote a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community. Why don’t we take a closer look!

Utah Pride Center

The Utah Pride Center offers many resources depending on your needs. They offer family and youth programs, adult and senior programs, mental health resources, community health resources, and education and training.

Through their programs, you can attend weekly free social groups, special events, and peer-support groups to encourage the wellness of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families.

If you are interested in what Utah Pride Center has to offer, more information can be found on their website.

Logan Pride Foundation

This Pride Center can be found in Cache Valley. This one is smaller compared to the Utah Pride Center, but just as important. Logan Pride Foundation is targeted towards the college students at Utah State University, and it is organized by students who are going there as well. They host many activities that occur multiple times a month such as Coffee & Cocoa, Gaymers Night, and Disability Discussion Group.

If you are an LGBTQIA+ student at Utah State University, this would be a great resource for you! Information can be found on the Logan Pride website.

Ogden Pride Center

Ogden Pride Center focuses on providing resources to youth and senior LGBTQ members. They provide a youth social support group every first and third Friday of the month. For their seniors, they offer several activities a month such as brunches, pickleball, and group walks.

Ogden Pride Center also has a separate program specifically for transgender folks, and its purpose is to offer resources while building a social footprint in their community. They host regular coffee and dinner socials where they plan service projects and discuss issues in the trans community.

More information on the Ogden Pride Center can be found on their website.

Mental Health and Counseling

Mental health is an important issue in the queer community. Because so many people do not feel comfortable sharing who they really are with the people around them, it takes a toll on their mental health. Thus, mental health services are an essential resource for LGBTQ folks.

Utah Pride Center Counseling Services

The Utah Pride Center offers counseling services that cater specifically to those in the LGBTQIA+ community of all ages. The therapists that work through the Utah Pride Center are part of a community called the LGBT-Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah which is basically a group of therapists testifying that they describe themselves as affirming of LGBTQ issues.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or get added to the waitlist at the Utah Pride Center counseling services, go ahead and click here.

Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Services

The Behavioral Health Services division of Salt Lake County offers inclusive and affirming mental health services to individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. They provide individual therapy, group counseling, and psychiatric services. The Behavioral Health Services also provides resources for affordable healthcare.

More information can be found on the Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Services website.

The Healing Group

The Healing Group is not only the “best mental health clinic” of 2020, but they are also a gender and orientation affirming clinic. They specialize in sex therapy, marriage therapy, reproductive health, and trauma.

To book an appointment, head on over to The Healing Group website.

Nationwide Support Numbers to Call

Beyond the resources located here in Utha, there are several national resources. If you (or someone you know) is in need of immediate support and cannot get access to a local center in Salt Lake City, keep these nationwide numbers handy.

These are lifelines to call when you are in a moment of crisis such as you are feeling suicidal or you are having a panic attack. All of these lifelines are available 24/7.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

This is a number you can call to speak with a crisis counselor when you are in a crisis or feeling suicidal. Typically you will get the chance to share what is on your mind, and they will share some coping skills and resources. You will probably make a safety plan together as well. This lifeline is fully anonymous.

The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386

This lifeline is similar to the suicide lifeline, but it is specifically for LGBTQIA+ members. You can call or text, and you will be connected to a counselor who understands LGBTQ issues and won’t judge you. Everything is anonymous, so you can share as much or as little as you would like.

Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

Trans lifeline is run by trans people for trans people. This lifeline is fully anonymous and confidential like the others. Trans lifeline will not call emergency services during your call without your permission.

HopeLine: 877-235-4525

This is a crisis lifeline that promotes active listening, gentle and understanding discussion of crisis resolution, and referrals to appropriate community resources.

Your Life Your Voice: 800-448-3000

This is a good number to call if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or you are being abused. This number will connect you to a counselor that will provide you with resources.

Nationwide Numbers to Text

These lifelines are also for when you are in a crisis, but they are available for texting instead of calling. All of these lifelines are available 24/7.

Crisis Text Line: 988

This line is fully anonymous, and it will connect you to a counselor that will provide you with coping skills and resources to help you in a crisis.

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1

This lifeline will connect you to a qualified counselor that will listen and help you through your crisis. Resources will be provided as well.

HopeLine: 877-235-4525

This crisis line is confidential and will offer resources applicable to your community.

Your Life Your Voice: Text “VOICE” to 20121

This texting service is intended for pre-teens, teens, and young adults. It will connect you to a qualified crisis counselor that will assist you in your crisis.

The Trevor Project: 678-678

When you text the Trevor Project’s number, you will be connected to a counselor who understands LGBTQIA+ issues and will share appropriate resources with you.

LGBTQIA+ Youth Support

Youth support in the LGBTQ community is an important issue because many of the queer folks struggling are youth stuck in homes or communities that don’t accept them. Here are some resources for LGBTQ youth that can relieve some stress:

Encircle

Encircle is a new meeting place that is opening up in Heber for LGBTQ youth and young adults. They are focusing on social connections, emotional and psychological skills, positive emotional experiences, and authenticity.

Encircle is also providing therapy services to the community. To get more resources, visit the Encircle website.

Queer Meals

Queer Meals is a program based in Provo, Utah that serves the LGBTQIA+ students at BYU. Not only do they buy them food, but they also provide them a safe space to decompress. They also have experience with suicide prevention counseling, so visitors can feel their most comfortable.

If you are in need of meal assistance in Provo, or you are interested in donating, please visit the Queer Meals website.

Utah Pride Center: Youth and Family Programs

Utah Pride Center hosts free daily programs for youth and their families to bring the community together and create a safe atmosphere for the LGBTQ youth. They also host fun social events such as youth dances, themed nights, and special events.

If you are a youth and are free during the summer, Utah Pride Center is hosting Youth Summer Camps every week throughout the summer. Every week is a different theme, some of the options include Witch Camp, TRANScendence Camp, Creative Writing Camp, and The Art of Self-Expression Camp.

LGBTQ Senior Services

Our youth are not the only population that sometimes gets overlooked when it comes to support and services. Elderly members of the LGBTQ community often are in need of additional support and resources as well.

One amazing resource for those in the elderly community is retireguide.com. While not located immediately in Salt Lake City, Retireguide is an excellent nationwide resource dedicated to supporting the elderly community.

The website offers continuous support to the community by providing different guides, articles, and posts about a variety of topics specific to the elderly. They recently posted an LGBTQ+ Elder Health Care Guide to connect older adults in the LGBTQ+ community to the resources and information that will help them find the care they need.

If you or someone you know is in search of wonderful resources for elderly members of the LGBTQ+ community, make sure to visit retireguide.com.

LGBTQIA+ Friendly Healthcare Providers

It is difficult to find good healthcare as a member of the LGBTQ community, especially if you are transgender. You want to find a healthcare provider who knows what your needs and wants are, and you want someone who will listen to your issues specific to your community. Salt Lake City luckily has several healthcare providers that cater specifically to the LGBTQ community. Let’s take a look at them.

University of Utah Health

The University of Utah Health system has a comprehensive LGBTQ-affirming healthcare program that provides medical services, including primary care, hormone therapy, sexual health services, and HIV/AIDS care. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) awarded all University of Utah health facilities with the LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation, so you can feel confident that the healthcare providers there will provide you with affirming healthcare.

They also provide a list of resources for LGBTQIA+ folks on their website.

Planned Parenthood of Utah

Planned Parenthood offers inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including LGBTQ-specific services such as hormone therapy, PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, and transgender healthcare. Planned Parenthood also offers a lot of educational resources for teens and young adults that are worth looking at.

To get more information on what Planned Parenthood has to offer, visit the Planned Parenthood website.