LGBTQ Health: General Resources

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people have similar health concerns as others. These include health concerns and risks caused by:

• Personal behavior.
• Inherited health risks.
• Social or economic factors.

The following resources can help understand LGBTQ health issues.

Advocacy

• Advocates for Youth—Education for LGBTQ youth about health issues. This includes HIV and substance abuse.
• Fair Wisconsin—Wisconsin group focused on LGBTQ civil rights
• National Coalition for LGBTQ Health—National group that works to improve the health of LGBTQ people
• National LGBTQ Task Force—National group that prepares LGBTQ activists
• Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders—Report about key issues facing LGBTQ older people

Aging

• FORGE: Transgender Aging Network—Information for transgender persons on aging
• National Resource Center on LGBTQ Aging—A resource center that works to improve the quality of services offered to LGBTQ older adults
• SAGE: Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders—Group focused improving the lives of LGBTQ older adults

Cancer

• American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Gay and Bisexual Men—Information about cancer risk, prevention, and detection
• American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Lesbian and Bisexual Women—Information about cancer risk, prevention, and detection
• National LGBT Cancer Network—Information about cancer risks and an online screening reminder
• National LGBT Cancer Project—LGBTQ group that supports and advocates for cancer survivors

Health

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Gay and Bisexual Men—Health information for gay and bisexual men
• CDC: Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health—Health information for lesbian and bisexual women
• Howard Brown Health—Health centers focused on LGBTQ health. Located in Chicago.
• LGBT HealthLink—Network of experts focused on improving LGBTQ health
• Viral Hepatitis: Gay and Bisexual Men—Information on viral hepatitis

LGBTQ centers in Wisconsin

• The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection—Group that provides services and support for the LGBTQ community. Office in La Crosse.
• Diverse & Resilient—Group focused on anti-violence, sexual health, and substance use. Offices in Appleton and Milwaukee.
• LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin—Group that provides resources. These include support groups and training. Office in Racine.
• Milwaukee LGBT Community Center—Group focused on anti-violence, healthy relationships, and counseling. Office in Milwaukee.
• OutReach LGBT Community Center—Group focused on community building, health, and advocacy. Office in Madison.

Mental health

• Mental Health: Gay and Bisexual Men—Information on mental health
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline—Helpline offering treatment referral. Helpful for people with mental and/or substance use disorders. Available 24/7.
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: LGBTQ+ resources—Free, 24/7 support for people in stressful situations. These include thoughts of suicide, mental health concerns, or a substance use issue. Call or text 988.
• Suicide and Violence Prevention: Gay and Bisexual Men—Information on preventing suicide and violence
• PRISM Program—Connects LGBTQ+ youth with free emotional and mental health support

Safety/anti-violence

• LGBTQ Survivors of Sexual Violence—Information for LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence
• Room to be Safe—Anti-violence program. Offers various services to survivors in the LGBTQ community.
• Northwest Network—Support for abuse and violence victims
• StopBullying.gov—Resources for stopping and preventing bullying

Sexual health

• Brady East Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic—Clinic providing free sexual health care to men who have sex with men
• HIV/AIDS Resource Center for Gay Men—Stories and perspectives on HIV for gay men
• HIV PrEP—Information about PrEP for HIV prevention
• Men and HPV Fact Sheet—Information about HPV among men
• STDs: Gay and Bisexual Men—Information on STDs for gay and bisexual men
• Syphilis & Men Who Have Sex With Men—Fact sheet about syphilis
• Vivent Health—AIDS programs in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin HIV Program—Information about HIV in Wisconsin

Substance use and tobacco

• The Galano Recovery Club—Wisconsin group that provides 12-step recovery programs
• Smoking & Tobacco Use: Gay and Bisexual Men—Information on smoking and tobacco use for gay and bisexual men
• Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health: Substance Use—Information about substance use
• Substance Use and SUDs in LGBTQ Populations—Information on substance use within the LGBTQ population
• This Free Life—Information about preventing and reducing tobacco use among LGBTQ people
• Tips from Former Smokers: LGBT community—Real stories of LGBTQ people living with smoking-related conditions

Social support

• OutReach LGBT Community Center—Group focused on community building, health, and advocacy. Office in Madison.
• Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays—National group for LGBTQ people, their parents and families, and allies
• Resources for Families—Resources for families supporting LGBTQ youth

Youth

• Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools—Resources to create just schools for LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin
• The Trevor Project—National group that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ people under 25