Coming-Out Guide (Spanish)
African American Coming-Out Guide
Asian American GLBT Resources: AQUA

AQUA stands for the Asian and PacificIslander Queers United for Action. We are an all-volunteer organization serving the gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning members of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community. AQUA strives to promote the positive outlook and welfare of our members through education, outreach, and social events.

Jewish Resources: Boston Keshet

Keshet seeks to create a fully welcoming and inclusive Jewish community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Jews in Greater Boston. Keshet develops leadership for change among GLBT Jews and allies to effect concrete changes in Jewish institutions' policies and cultures. Keshet also creates opportunities for GLBT Jews to come together, celebrate, and explore our Jewish identities in an affirming environment.

Muslim Resources: Al-Fatiha Foundation

Al-Fatiha Foundation is dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, and their allies, families and friends. Al-Fatiha promotes the progressive Islamic notions of peace, equality and justice. We envision a world that is free from prejudice, injustice and discrimination, where all people are fully embraced and accepted into their faith, their families and their communities. Founded in 1998, Al-Fatiha Foundation is a registered US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization.

Catholic Support: Dignity USA
Email: dignityinfo@dignityboston.org
Phone: 617.421.1915
Dignity/Boston is a progressive, inclusive community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics and friends. DignityUSA is a national organization with dozens of chapters and thousands of members. Boston’s chapter holds a liturgy and social hour every Sunday at 5:30 PM, St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 Bowdoin Street, Boston, Massachusetts (on Beacon Hill between the State House and Cambridge Street).

Hindu Resources: Gay & Lesbian Vaishnava Association (GAVA)

The Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association, an international organization dedicated to the teachings of Lord Caitanya, the importance of all-inclusiveness within His mission, and the Vedic concept of a natural third gender. Its purpose is to educate Vaishnavas, Hindus and the public in general about the “third sex” as described in Vedic literatures. This knowledge will help to correct many of the common misconceptions that people hold today concerning third-gender people (gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender). In addition to this, GALVA wishes to provide a friendly and positive-oriented place where third-gender devotees and guests can associate together and utilize their time to learn more about Krsna consciousness and advance in spiritual life.

Buddhist Resources: Buddhist Sangha

The mission of the Gay Men's Buddhist Sangha is to offer the teachings of the Buddha to the gay community. The Sangha intends to vigorously and consistently apply the Dharma to everyday experiences in order to help the growing number of gay Buddhist practitioners in the United States and around the world.

Episcopal Resources: Integrity USA

Integrity is a nonprofit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [GLBT] Episcopalians and our straight friends. Since our founding by Dr. Louie Crew in rural Georgia in 1974, Integrity has been the leading grassroots voice for the full inclusion of GLBT persons in the Episcopal Church and our equal access to its rites.

Lutheran Resources: Lutherans Concerned

We believe that God values and embraces each person as a beloved child, that the Spirit gives a diversity of gifts for the common good, and that Jesus Christ calls us to work for justice. The ministries of Lutherans Concerned / North America (LC/NA) embody, inspire, and support the acceptance and full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, their families, friends and allies, within the Lutheran communion and its ecumenical and global partners.

Baptist Resources: Operation Rebirth

Operation Rebirth works with black churches throughout the U.S. to stop the promotion of discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Prebyterian Resources: More Light Prebyterians (MLP)

Presbyterians are struggling with what role gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members should have in our life together. The church has made a mistake in barring them from ordained office. Since 1974, More Light Presbyterians (MLP), and its predecessor organizations have been working to transform the church into a true community of hospitality. As we engage in bible study, dialogue, personal sharing and debate, MLP keeps before congregations, presbyteries and General Assembly, the vision of a truly inclusive church.

United Methodist Resources: Affirmation

Affirmation is an independent, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church. Affirmation is 100% supported by contributions from interested individuals and works to assist in creating a more inclusive environment for all GLBT people.

Mormon Resources: Affirmation

Affirmation seeks to meet the needs of persons experiencing frustration or alienation from family, friends, and the Church because of their sexual orientation. In addition to offering assistance during life's occasional struggles, Affirmation provides a life-long opportunity for service, fun, friendship, personal enrichment and spiritual growth. When the journey of self-discovery, particularly the process of reconciling our gay selves within the context of our Mormon spiritual and cultural heritage, seems almost more than we can handle, Affirmation offers the opportunity of understanding and support by friends who travel the same path.

Unitarian Resources: Unitarian Universalism Office of GLBT Concerns

The Unitarian Universalism Office of GLBT Concerns is guided by the vision that someday we will be able to put ourselves out of business and that oppression against bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people, whether it is overt or subtle, will be a thing of the past.

Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth  (BAGLY)
          

Email: mdowdell@bagly.org Phone: 617227 3266

BAGLY serves the community by being a resource for coming out, holding weekly meetings, and holding events. Their weekly meetings are for youth 22 and under and provide a safe venue for youth to meet new friends, share experiences, and become leaders. The BAGLY Prom is one of the most popular events, and draws over a thousand youth each year. It is the original prom to serve LGBT Youth and their Allies.

GLBT HelpLine –Fenway Community Health Center

Fenway Community Health’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Helpline and The Peer Listening Line are anonymous and confidential phone lines that offer gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adults and youths a “safe place” to call for information, referrals, and support. In addition to issues, like coming out HIV/AIDS, our trained volunteers also address other topics.

Peer Listening Line: 800-399-Peer (7337)
Anonymous, Toll Free
GLBT Helpline: 888-340-GLBT (4528)
Anonymous, Toll Free

Human Rights Campaign
Email: hrc@hrc.org
Phone: 800.777.4723
As America's largest gay and lesbian organization, the Human Rights Campaign provides a national voice on gay and lesbian issues. The Human Rights Campaign effectively lobbies Congress; mobilizes grassroots action in diverse communities; and increases public understanding through innovative education and communication strategies. HRC is a bipartisan organization that works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity, to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. HRC is currently headed by Cheryal Jacques, Boston College class of 1984.

Parents Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Email: info@gbpflag.org
Phone: 866.427.3524
PFLAG is a group of parents, families, friends, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, who are committed to giving support to each other as we discover and understand more about being human. There purpose is to help change attitudes and to create an environment of understanding so that our gay family members and friends can live with dignity and respect.

Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLESN)
Email: glsen@glsen.org
Phone: 212.727.0135
GLSEN works to be responsive to the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in a manner which focuses on education and support initiatives.

Harvard University - BGLTSA & GirlSpot

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - LGBT@MIT

Boston University - Spectrum

Northeastern University - NUBiLAGA

Northeastern University Allied Student Coalition

Tufts University - TTLGBC

Bentley College - Pride

Brandeis - Triskelion

Suffolk University - Rainbow Alliance

Emerson - GLBT Student Life

Simmons College - LBT Allies Association

University of Massachusetts - Lowell - Spectrum