LGBTQ Youth RESOURCES DIRECTORY

Knoxville TN 

Rainbow Teen Meetings at the Knox pride Center every other Friday of the month. Please see Knox Pride Calendar on their website for further information. https://www.knoxpride.com/

Knoxville Queer Youth + Allies  (KQYA) Hosting events and building community. By youth. For youth. Email   

Young Adults Group at TVUUC "If you’re looking for a chill and friendly group to hang out in a space that accepts you as you are and ever will be, Hey! This is a fully inclusive and free group that meets once a week on Sunday at 12:30 pm at TVUUC in Room G with other 18–30-something year olds. We often grab some coffee in the fellowship hall before we head to our space and chill together—feel free to bring lunch or a snack (for yourself or to share!). All are welcome. Come as you are. reach out to Awan or Elyse if you want to connect or join virtually."

MARYVILLE TN 

Appalachian OUTreach LGBTQ+ Teen Group. The purpose of Appalachian OUTreach is to reduce the impact that isolation, discrimination, and oppression has on the East Tennessee LGBTQ+ community. Please visit their website to learn more about this group's meetings. Email (865) 268-9098 Email Appalachian OUTReach 

YOUTH PRIDE meeting

Voices for LGBTQ+ Youth The mission of this group is to make Knox County Schools safer and more supportive for LGBTQ students. Issues that need support are: 1. Changes to KCS district policy to combat anti-LGBT bullying, and to require gender-affirming treatment & restroom access for transgender students. 2. Teacher outreach & education on LGBT issues/needs. 3. Visibility for issues related to trans youth, including community engagement & education. 4. General awesomeness.  

Acceptance Association Acceptance Association in a grassroots effort to provide resources to lgbtqia youth & their supporters. Our focus is the youth of Appalachian states beginning in Tennessee.  We are currently targeting areas that have less lgbtqia youth resources, specifically the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia. Areas typically known as Southern Appalachia. Please follow our Facebook page to learn how to help. 

Bryant's Bridge LGBT Youth Transition Home "When a young person comes out to their family most often, they are not met with complete acceptance. They are met with a range of responses. Sometimes the family completely abandons the youth, often for years. This gap of time is when LGBT youth find themselves with no one to turn to. Sometimes they have nowhere to live and nowhere to go. We lose so many in that gap to addiction, disruptive behavior and suicide. Bryant's Bridge has a place for you to fit in and receive help. We will provide you with housing, healthcare referral, mental health and substance abuse counseling referral, college support, and mentoring programs. Bryant's Bridge is a 501c3 nonprofit. We are opening our first house January in 2021. Email us for information or to learn how you can be a partner of Bryant's Bridge."  865-300-1584  Email  @bryantsbridge 

Youth WINS (When In Need of Support) " is a multi-funded program working with unaccompanied youth between the ages of l8 – 22 (age extended to 24)  who are struggling with housing insecurities or homelessness. Our Youth Advisors work diligently to assist youth (including those who are still in High School) to find stable housing and connect them to community resources for education, employment, and job training. These services help youth achieve stability and safety as they move on a path to self-sufficiency and sustainable life style. (When speaking to the director of this program recently, she explained that many lgbtq youth are homeless.) Call for assistance or to learn more. Monday-Friday 8am-4:45pm Call 865-546-3500 "

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) "Youth WINS sponsors a Youth Advisory Board (YAB). YAB is a youth-driven advisory board that educates and advises community leaders on challenges homeless youth face while creating pathways to eliminate youth homelessness through leadership and empowerment. Monday-Friday 8am-4:45pm" Call 865-546-3500 

Q Chat Line (New Aug 2025) "Are you a teenager who wants support? Q Chat Space hosts live chats where LGBTQ+ teens can give and receive support." https://www.qchatspace.org/

LGBT National Youth Talkline  "We provide a confidential safe space where callers of any age can speak about sexual orientation or gender identity/expression issues"  800-246-7743 https://lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline/ 

The Trevor Project Teen Depression Help For LGBTQ+ A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. (866) 488-7386 

The Jason Foundation mission statement is "The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth."

GLSEN Tennessee  (currently doesn't have a chapter in Tennessee but this seems like a good time to start one~ Beau) GLSEN Middle Tennessee envisions a world in which every child learns to accept and respect all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. 615-669-6744 

Gay-Straight Alliances GSA organization is making schools safer, changing communities, and building power for the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth. Many schools in Tennessee have these clubs. 

Several Schools have GSA's now also known as Gender Sexuality Alliance Clubs. For Knox County Schools you can look at the school's website searching for their GSA.

LGBTQ College Resources Click this to go to our other section. 

EVENTS

YOUTH PRIDE FEST Youth Pride Fest is a day to celebrate the diversity of all youth. Our goal is to celebrate and support LGBTQ Youth and their Friends and Allies. All middle and high school age youth are invited. No registration necessary. Come ready to have fun and make new friends! First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, TN Email 

NATIONAL GROUPS

Rainbow Youth Project "Promotes the health, safety, and wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual young people throughout the United States." https://www.rainbowyouthproject.org/ 

Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. 

Matthew's Place words by and for lgbtq+ youth. Part of the Matthew Shepard Foundation's efforts to advocate for youth with sharing of stories related to News, Culture, Activism, Self Care, lgbtq A to Z, lgbtq+ symbols and Coming Out. 

COLAGE unites people with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and/or asexual parent into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities. Email

NATIONAL

PARENTS

Mama Bears Real Mama Bears Supporting, Educating, Empowering Moms of LGBTQ Kids and the LGBTQ Community Email Real Mama Bears @RealMamaBears

Serendipitydodah is committed to making the world a kinder, safer, more loving place for all lgbtq+ Email Liz SUPPORT Liz Dyer Creating groups, projects, resources & sites for Moms of LGBTQ kids.