With the aid of the Middlesex United Way Community Impact Grant, Tri-Town Youth Services has been working to bolster additional programs to support LGBTQ+ youth in our community. As seen in The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health data seen here, it paints a stark picture of the challenges this community faces. LGBTQ+ youth are at heightened risk of substance use and mental health concerns due to stigma, discrimination, non-acceptance, and lack of support.

Gender Spectrum’s mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. They help families, organizations, and institutions increase their understanding of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us.

Every day GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together, we can transform our nation’s K-12 schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.

The Trans Youth Handbook is a legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across a wide spectrum of situations. Click here to access a mobile-friendly version. Click here to access a PDF version.

The Q+ Mission is to work to create more youth accessible spaces, uplift youth voices, and empower queer youth. Every event and program supported by Q+ is born of a need identified by queer young people, rather than suggested by adults. Click here to learn more

Hilary Weissberg, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist,  focusing on LGBTQ+ support, particularly for trans and gender non-conforming people.

https://hilaryspeechtherapy.com

• Name a smell that brings forward a good memory. It might be the scent of a favorite food, perfume, flower, or candle. Describe what you feel when you encounter that smell.
•  You hear the sound of crashing waves and the salt-tinged wind tangles your hair. When you climb down the stairs to the beach, what’s the first thing you’re going to do?
•  If you traveled back in time to anywhere in the world (and you didn’t have to worry about a timeline paradox), where would you go and what’s one thing you would change in the historical timeline?
•  How would you define your sense of humor?
•  List three self-soothing things that bring you comfort or help you during times of uncertainty.
• Create a new holiday. Who would celebrate it? What would you do to celebrate?
• What connections in nature help you feel calm, hopeful, free, or inspired?
•  Cats and dogs rule the world. What’s that like?
• What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

• You Freaky Friday and switch bodies with your archnemesis. What do you do with a day in their life?
• Listen to your body. What do you feel right now? Feel the rhythm of your heartbeat. Listen to your breath. What do you hear, see, smell, and feel right now?
• A giant box is delivered to your doorstep, addressed to you. There’s no sender listed. Who sent it and what’s in it?
•  What do you see right now? Describe the colors, textures, sounds, smells, and shapes…
• What lessons in resilience can you learn from your ancestors during uncertain times?
•  You wake up and you have a mermaid tail. What happens next?
• Make a list of ten things that make you smile.
•  You’re an alien tourist visiting Earth. Describe a day visiting your hometown.
• If you could talk to your child self, what would you say to them?
• You’re put in charge of the world. What do you change to make the world a happier place?