People who are LGBTQ+
How You Can be a Supportive Ally
LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) Ally (Parent, Educator, Friend)
Timeline of some milestones, not all, of important dates of the LGBTQ rights movement.
| 5/17/2004 | Massachusetts holds the first legal same-sex marriage in the U.S. |
| 10/28/2009 | The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is established after President Obama signs it. |
| 9/20/2011 | “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ends meaning lesbians and gay men can serve openly in the military. |
| 9/4/2012 | At the Democratic National Convention, Democrats become the first political party to publicly support same-sex marriage. |
| 6/24/2016 | The first national monument for LGBTQ rights, named Stonewall National Monument, designation was announced by President Obama. |
| 6/30/2019 | Governor Cuomo signs a law banning the use of the “gay and trans panic legal defense strategy.” |
| 6/15/2020 | LGBTQ workers are now federally protected from discrimination according to a Supreme court ruling. |
Available Resources
The Q Center for LGBT Youth at ACR Health
https://www.acrhealth.org/youth-programs/q-centers
Peer and professional support services, including case management services, are available for LGBTQ youth in Central New York who need assistance with housing, advocacy, medical care, mental health services, transportation, identity documents, and other issues. There are a variety of links to after-school programs, support groups, outreach & education, and special events all featured on this site. For LGBTQ training for agencies and organizations as well as support to school GSAs, contact the Q Center with any questions at this address: QCenterCNY@ACRHealth.org
Links Below Provide Good Information about LGBT youth groups, Teen Health Education
- ACR Health Adolescent Health Initiative: https://acrhealth.org/youth/ahi
- LGBTQ Youth Group Schedule: https://acrhealth.org/youth/schedule
Sage Upstate
Sage Upstate is a not-for profit organization that promotes the health and well being of LGBTQ people in Central NY as they age. The organization provides health and wellness programming, support groups, social activities for older people who are LGBTQ, as well as education for health care providers who want to learn about the needs of this population. Sage Upstate serves seven counties in Central NY: Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego. Its main office is in Syracuse.
Links Below Provide Good Information about: Services, Programs, Activities, Events and Support Groups
- Sage Programs: https://www.sageupstate.org/programs
- Uzuri – a social group for LGBT persons of color can be contacted through Sage Upstate
- Sage Event Calendar: https://www.sageupstate.org/calendar
- Sage Educational Presentations: https://www.sageupstate.org/resources
CNY Pride
CNY Pride is an organization that organizes and runs Pride month events in Syracuse, NY each June. This includes the annual Pride Parade and Festival, along with other educational, cultural and recreational events.
Links Below Provide Good Information about: Events and Vendor Information
- Information about 2017 Pride Festival: https://www.cnypride.com/festival_info.aspx
- CNY Pride Events Page: https://www.cnypride.com/upcoming_events.aspx
Q Law
Q Law is a project of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County. Q Law can provide free legal advice and assistance related to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Q Law has addressed issues related to transgender name and gender marker changes on government documents, 2nd parent adoption, wills, divorce, and petitions for asylum status for LGBT individuals. Lawyers are also available to provide presentations on LGBT rights.
Contact (315) 579-2576 or email qlaw@ongvlp.org or info@onvlp.org
Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER)
TSER is youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment.
Links Below Provide Good Information about: Workshops, Educational Policies for Transgender Students
- Informative Workshops: https://www.transstudent.org/workshops
- Regional Example Policies: https://www.transstudent.org/policies
- Creating a Policy: https://www.transstudent.org/yourpolicy
Campus Pride
Campus Pride is an organization for connecting LGBT student leaders, educators, and campus groups.
Links Below Provide Good Information about: Transgender Advocacy & Inclusiveness, College Life for LGBT Students/Advisors/Leaders
- Student leader resource guide: https://www.campuspride.org/purplebackpack/
- Trans-inclusivity in Fraternities and Sororities:
https://www.campuspride.org/resources/trans-inclusion-policy-key-recommendations-for-fraternities-sororities/ - Bootcamp for LGBT advisors: https://www.campuspride.org/camppride/advisor-bootcamp/
- Transgender Advocacy: https://www.campuspride.org/topics/trans-advocacy/
- College Resource Guide for Transgender Students: https://www.campuspride.org/tpc/
United Nations Global Campaign Against Homophobia and Transphobia
This international campaign uses social media and traditional media to promote tolerance for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex.
Link Below Provides Good Information about: Terminology & Global Perspectives
- Fact Sheet with Definitions of Key Terms & a Global Perspective: https://www.unfe.org/system/unfe-7-UN_Fact_Sheets_v6_-_FAQ.pdf
