LGBTQIA2S+ Support & Resources
On-Campus Support
UP Counseling Services
University of Portland’s Health & Counseling Services staff provide respectful, compassionate medical and mental health services for students of all gender identities and sexual orientations. We stand in support of and strive to continuously advocate for our LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit) students. To that end, we offer the following direct counseling services:
- Call the Health & Counseling office during business hours at 503.943.7134 to make an appointment with one of our mental health counselors. Students who have recently experienced oppression or discrimination based on a marginalized identity can receive same day support from a counselor.
- Connect with the Pilot Helpline on-call counselor at any time of day or night. Call 503.943.7134 and choose option 3 in the voicemail message.
- Check our up-to-date support group offerings hosted by our counselors. Groups are free and open to all active UP students.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
You can also visit UP’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion website to find lists of on- and off-campus resources available to students who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, undocumented, multifaith, first-generation, international, etc.
Clark Library
In November 2021, UP's Clark Library received a grant to purchase books and other materials related to LGBTQIA+ identities, history, health, terminology, support, etc. Students can access these free resources through the Clark Library's website by using their normal UP login. Examples of materials include:
Off-Campus LGBTQIA2S+ Support
We understand that people of marginalized backgrounds have difficulty finding representation in the mental health services that they receive. To find support outside of the UP community, students are also welcomed to utilize the following off-campus resources.
Please note that the off-campus resources listed below are not affiliated with the University of Portland. If a link on this list is no longer functioning, please send an email to hcc@up.edu to let us know!
On-Call Support
- The Trevor Project has trained confidential counselors who understand the challenges that LGBTQ young people face. Call, text, or start an online chat to get support from a counselor 24/7 from anywhere in the continental U.S.
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678-678
Chat online
- Trans Lifeline provides fully confidential and anonymous peer support for the trans and non-binary community, run by and for trans people. Call 877-565-8860 to get 24/7 support.
- The LGBTQ National Hotline provides a safe, anonymous, and confidential space where callers can speak on many different issues and concerns including, but not limited to, coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide, and much more. Call 888-843-4564 during open hours: Monday through Friday, 1:00pm – 9:00pm / Saturday, 9:00am – 2:00pm
- THRIVE Lifeline is a text-based hotline for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing mental health crisis. Suicide interventionists will help keep you safe during times of acute crisis. Texting is available 24/7 from anywhere.
Text: THRIVE to 313-662-8209
LGBTQIA2S+ Centered Therapy & Counseling
How do I find LGBTQ friendly therapy? – An article by Mental Health America
Why I Needed to See a Queer Therapist (And How You Can Find One, Too) – An article by Rosemary Donahue at them
Questions to help QTBIPOC find affirming mental health providers – A tool developed by Mental Health America and the Human Rights Campaign
- Portland Therapy Center – View the profiles of local Portland therapists with expertise in LGBTQ issues.
“Individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning sometimes face challenges unique to the LGBTQ community… Therapists can offer strategies for coming out, ways to deal with discrimination, and help to address any other issues faced by a member of the LGBTQ community, including relationships, marriage and parenting.”
- Pulse Wellness Cooperative – Call or go online to schedule an initial free 15-minute consultation with a therapist.
"Pulse Wellness provides therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, queer, questioning, intersex, allies, asexual and pansexual persons of all ages. Some of our specialties include individual therapy, transgender health & youth, and LGBTQ relationships."
- Connective Therapy Collective – Connect with a counselor or therapist that specializes in serving traditionally marginalized communities.
“We emphasize healing trauma, eliminating shame, and ending stigma related to the full expansion and expression of sex and gender diversity. We are committed to trauma-informed, pleasure-centered, intersectional clinical work. We are here to support both individual healing and the building of intentional, well-suited, meaningful relationships of all kinds.”
- Full Spectrum Therapy – Submit a new client request form to be matched with a counselor in Portland who meets your specific preferences and needs.
“Full Spectrum Therapy, a trans-and-queer-owned practice, is here to help you stay grounded and journey towards healing.”
- Inclusive Therapists – Search for a therapist by location, specialty, accepted insurance, etc.
“We center the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We honor the full neurodiversity spectrum and advocate for mental health care accessibility for people with disabilities/ disabled people.”
- Addiction Resources – Connect with resources that are tailored to people in the LGBTQ+ community who are struggling with substance use.
"Substance abuse and addiction rates in the LGBTQ+ community are higher than in any other sector of society. Societal stigma, discrimination, mental and physical abuse, and co-occurring mental health disorders are just a few of the unique substance abuse triggers among this population. This guide provides a comprehensive list of LGBTQ resources for addiction, mental health, and rehab so that everyone has a chance at recovery."
Community Centers & Groups
- Q Center – 4115 N Mississippi Ave Suite D, Portland, OR 97217
“As the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Pacific Northwest, Q Center proudly serves the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities of Portland Metro and Southwest Washington. Our drop-in and event space on North Mississippi Avenue is a frequent first stop for new arrivals in Portland, and for longtime residents who are newly out or questioning their sexual or gender identity. Q Center also serves as an information hub for friends, partners, community, and family members of LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals.”
- SMYRC Downtown – 1220 SW Columbia Street, Portland, OR, 97201
“Here at SMYRC, we provide a safe, harassment-free space for queer and trans youth ages 13-23, where you can create art, play music, and join in on our open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups. You can access services like counseling, school support, and much more. Whatever you are looking for, we are here to honor, empower, and support you.”
- amBi PDX
“An amBi chapter is a local bisexual community, part of our network of bi social groups. The Northern Oregon amBi chapter hosts events and activities in and around the greater metropolitan area of Portland.”
- PFLAG Portland
“PFLAG Portland Support Circles are offered twice a month. Wherever you live, you can connect with your PFLAG community online at one of our PFLAG Connects Online Support Circles. Here, you'll find all the familiar PFLAG unconditional love and support, just in a more convenient online form.”
- Firewood Collective Online Support Groups
"Fireweed Collective Groups are virtual spaces where folks can connect to, and offer mutual aid with others who share similar life experiences and struggles. Groups run for a month. They meet once a week online for one hour. All support groups are sliding scale of free to $20 – and are facilitated by members of Fireweed Collective."
- SASS Online Support Groups
“Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) facilitates a bi-monthly support group for members of the queer community 18+ who have experienced sexual violence.”
Resource Databases
- Q Center – A database of hundreds of LGBTQ+ specific programs and social service provider listings which largely serve residents of Oregon and SW Washington.
- City of Portland – A list of LGBTQ+ resources provided by the City of Portland
- Gay PDX – Portland and Vancouver’s directory of local LGBTQ+ friendly businesses, services, and social/support groups.
- Brave Space LLC – A list of gender-affirming service providers and organizations in and around Oregon recommended to Brave Space by folks within the trans and nonbinary community.
- GLBT Near Me – The largest collection of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender resources on the web offered by the GLBT National Help Center.
Self-Care Articles, Blogs & Other Readings
- 8 Ways to Manage Social Anxiety, According to Queer Mental Health Practitioners by Maria Saldana at them
"Many people living with social anxiety want to experience the world and build community, and there are ways to help alleviate fears when they arise. We spoke to three experts about social anxiety, what it is, where it comes from, and their tips on how to manage it on a night out."
- 11 Self-Care Tips, According to Expert Queer Healers by Wren Sanders at them
“We reached out to over a dozen expert queer healers — including traditional psychologists, as well as sex therapists, personal trainers, reiki masters, and hypnotists — to curate creative ways to take care of yourself right now.”
- Black and LGBTQ: Approaching Intersectional Conversations by The Trevor Project
A PDF file guide of approaches for before, during, and after a difficult conversation to make sure the dialogue – and your mental health – stays safe.
- Cool Communication When Feelings are Hot (part 1) (part 2) by Caleb Weinhardt at FORGE
“In this interactive workshop, we’ll talk about strategies for expressing our observations, feelings, and needs, listening and being heard, and forming solutions going forward.”
- The Benefits of Being Vulnerable with Other Queer Guys by Ellis Schwamm at Scarleteen
A blog post discussing toxic masculinity, emotional health, vulnerability, and communication and relationships between queer men.
- A Series of Letters I Wish I Could Send to My Younger Queer Self by Mo Ranyart at Scarleteen
“Letters from the author to himself in his teens and early 20s, as he tries to sort out multiple facets of his identity.”
- All Bodies Deserve: Creating the Future of Us coloring book
The Center for Cultural Power and the Women’s Foundation of California created twenty illustrated coloring pages from eight diverse artists, centering joy, abundance, and health.
Self-Care Podcasts
- Bottoming (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)
“The aim of Bottoming is to show that although anyone can suffer from poor mental health, it can and does impact LGBTQ+ people on a larger scale. The conversation isn’t always pretty, but the boys want to show it can be done with a few laughs to help you get through, making the topics more accessible, approachable and easy to digest.”
- NB: My non-binary life (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)
“You might have heard the term non-binary. This is how it feels. Join Caitlin Benedict & Amrou Al-Kadhi as they ask the big questions about gender & identity."
- Deliberate & Doing it Afraid (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)
“Stories, reflections and revelations from my journey towards my truest self and greatest life” by Jamila Reddy
