LGBTQ+ Resources

PRYSM, 2019-2020:
Advisor: Michelle Nario-Redmond
President: Joshua Gregory

Asha Goodner: Director of Health Services
Phone: 330.569.5419
Email: goodneral@hiram.edu

Rev. Chris McCreight: College Chaplain
Email: MccreightCJ@hiram.edu
Phone: 330.569.6094

Tessa Conville: Area Coordinator for Booth/Centennial
Email: ConvilleTL@hiram.edu
Phone: 330.569.5679

Center Link: CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Serving over 250 LGBTQ community centers across the country in 45 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, as well as centers in Canada, China, and Australia, CenterLink assists newly forming community centers and helps strengthen existing LGBT centers, through networking opportunities for center leaders, peer-based technical assistance and training, and a variety of capacity building services. Our efforts are based on the belief that LGBT community centers are primary change agents in the national movement working toward the liberation and empowerment of LGBT people.

Cleveland LGBT Community Center: The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland is a leading nonprofit organization that empowers Northeast Ohio’s LGBTQ community through advocacy, education, collaboration and celebration. The heart of the region’s LGBTQ community, The Center is a one-stop hub that provides opportunities and resources for everyone it serves. Located at 6705 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102. Phone: 216.651.5428

GSA Network: GSA Network seeks to strengthen national movement-building capacity at the intersection of LGBTQ+ youth organizing and racial and gender justice to end school push-out, and develop the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, particularly low-income youth and youth of color, in those regions of the country where youth face the greatest isolation and the least amount of access to resources: the Southeast and Midwest.

It Gets Better: Watch an endless stream of inspiring stories shared by people just like you. Visit our Get Help page to find LGBTQ+ youth support services in your community. Or, sign our pledge to commit to a world where all LGBTQ+ young people are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals!

It’s Pronounced Metrosexual: It’s Pronounced Metrosexual is your free online resource for learning and teaching about gender, sexuality, and social justice created by Sam Killermann.

Metro Health LGBTQ+ Pride Network: The MetroHealth Pride Network was the first LGBTQ clinic in Cleveland dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community. Specially trained physicians and staff provide care that respects your unique health needs — including transgender services. We offer the routine care you need to stay healthy. It’s primary care plus. Call 216.957.4905 to make an appointment (216.778.8564 if you’re under 18).

LGBT National Help Center: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) National Help Center, founded in 1996, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Utilizing a diverse group of LGBT volunteers, we operate three national hotlines, the LGBT National Hotline (888.843.4564), the LGBT National Youth Talkline (800.246.7743), and the LGBT National Senior Hotline (888.234.7243) as well as private, volunteer one-to-one online chat, that helps both youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems and a lot more.

National LGBTQ Task Force: The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. That’s why the Task Force is training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you.

Point Foundation: Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit. Point promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training.

Pride Foundation: Pride Foundation fuels transformational movements to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ people in all communities across the Northwest.

Q Chat Space: Find and give support, have fun, connect around shared interests and get good information. Chat with like-minded peers in live chats designed for you & by you, facilitated by folks who care.

The Safe Zone Project: The Safe Zone Project (SZP) is a free online resource providing curricula, activities, and other resources for educators facilitating Safe Zone trainings (sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ education sessions), and learners who are hoping to explore these concepts on their own. Co-created by Meg Bolger and Sam Killermann in 2013, the SZP has become the go-to resource for anyone looking to add some Safe Zone to their life.

The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. TrevorText: Text START to 678678. TrevorLifeline: 1.866.488.7386.

We Are the Youth: We Are the Youth is an ongoing photographic journalism project chronicling the individual stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth in the United States. Through photographic portraits and “as told to” interviews in the participants’ own voices, We Are the Youth captures the incredible diversity and uniqueness among the LGBTQ youth population. We Are the Youth addresses the lack of visibility of LGBTQ young people by providing a space to share stories in an honest and respectful way.

Gender Neutral Pronoun Blog: A guide to common gender neutral pronouns with pronunciations and examples of how to use them.

Gender Spectrum: Gender Spectrum’s mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. To accomplish this, we help families, organizations, and institutions increase understandings of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us.

GenderQueer.me: This blog is a culmination of non-binary voices and their experiences through exploring gender, understanding what non-binary means to them, transitioning, and so much more.

InterAct: From the very beginning, InterACT has recognized that with so much at stake for the individuals and families involved, we must consider not only medical outcomes, but also the civil and human rights of children born with intersex traits. As always, interACT remains committed to advancing this discussion with a sense of respect and compassion for the children, parents, doctors and intersex adults involved.

National Center for Transgender Equality: NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who recognized the urgent need for policy change to advance transgender equality. With a committed board of directors, a volunteer staff of one, and donated office space, we set out to accomplish what no one had yet done: provide a powerful transgender advocacy presence in Washington, DC. Today, NCTE is a team of hard-working staff members supported by a nationwide community of transgender people, allies, and advocates with an extensive record of winning life-saving change for transgender people.

Non-Binary Wiki: Nonbinary wiki was created on the 1st of February 2017, after the original Nonbinary.org Wiki went down. Our goal is to build a new wiki with the best of the old as well as new and improved content. With almost 300 pages of content ranging from definitions to experiences, this site provides tons of information about non-binary identities.

Trans Guys: TransGuys.com is the Internet’s Magazine for Trans Men. Launched in February 2009, TransGuys.com has garnered a loyal readership with in-depth and often groundbreaking articles and consumer reviews. TransGuys.com’s focus on providing practical information has helped make it one of the top online destinations for trans men from around the world.

Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. Peer-Support 24-hour Hotline: 877.565.8860

Trans Ohio: TransOhio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support, and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community.

Trans student Educational Resources: Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment. In addition to our focus on creating a more trans-friendly education system, our mission is to educate the public and teach trans activists how to be effective organizers. We believe that justice for trans and gender nonconforming youth is contingent on an intersectional framework of activism. Ending oppression is a long-term process that can only be achieved through collaborative action.

Trans What?: There’s lots of trans-positive education and discussion on the Web; unfortunately, it can also be a lot of work trying to access good and relevant beginners’ information. And lots of trans-negative content is marketed to the “mainstream,” the “normal” people. As though trans is something abnormal! This site is meant for anyone who wants to become more educated on transgender terms; however, the site is specifically targeting these explanations specifically towards those who have learned — whether recently or a while ago — that someone they are close to is choosing to transition in some way.

The Asexual Network: The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) was founded in 2001 with two distinct goals: creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality and facilitating the growth of an asexual community. Since that time we have grown to host the world’s largest asexual community, serving as an informational resource for people who are asexual and questioning, their friends and families, academic researchers and the press. AVEN members throughout the world regularly engage in visibility projects, included but not limited to distributing informational pamphlets, leading workshops, arranging local meetups and speaking to interested press. The AVEN community centers around the web forum, which provides a safe space for asexual and questioning people and their partners, friends and families to discuss their experiences.

Bisexual Resource Center: The Bisexual Resource Center envisions a world where love is celebrated, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Because bisexuals today are still misunderstood, marginalized and discriminated against, the BRC is committed to providing support to the bisexual community and raising public awareness about bisexuality and bisexual people.

Demisexuality Resource Center: This website was created to fill the void of informative websites about demisexuality. When I saw that “www.demisexuality.org” was not taken, I jumped on it and made it my goal to set up a one stop shop for learning all about this orientation.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG): PFLAG is the one of the first and largest organizations for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.

These are not absolute definitions. People put different connotations to terms and phrases that aren’t always textbook definitions, this is just meant to be a starting point or a reference to the terms definition. The definitions are taken from Trans What?, the LGBT National Help Center, and my own personal experiences.

Agender: Someone who does not identify as having a gender, i.e. the lack of a gender

Ally: A non-LGBTQ person who supports and stands up for the LGBTQ community

Androgyny: The lack of a distinct gender expression of femininity or masculinity

Aromantic: Someone who does not experience emotional or romantic attraction

Asexual: Someone who has no (or low) sexual attraction or desire for sexual activity

ASAB: An abbreviation referring to someone’s Assigned Sex at Birth, typically Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB) or Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB)

Assignment: Refers to the way we assume someone’s gender based on their bodies

Bigender: A non-binary identity used by those who identify with two or more genders

Binding: The act of binding down one’s breasts. This is primarily used by trans masculine people, typically to both relieve dysphoria and avoid being misgendered

Bisexual: Someone who is attracted emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually to more than one gender

Cisgender: Someone who is not transgender, someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth. Often shortened to cis

Coming Out: The act of disclosing to someone else that you do not identify with the gender you were assigned at birth and/or that you are not heterosexual

Crossdressing: The act of wearing clothing tailored towards the wearer’s opposite gender

Dead Name: The name a person, usually a trans person, was given at birth which they no longer use. This is extremely personal and private information, and it is typically unacceptable to use or ask about

Demisexual: Someone who doesn’t feel sexual attraction towards others unless a strong emotional connection is formed first

Drag: A type of performance that features crossdressed people; women who preform drag are called drag kings, and men who preform drag are called drag queens

Dysphoria: A variety of negative feelings that are related or connected to someone’s gender or sex. Trans people who experience dysphoria may be profoundly uncomfortable with certain aspects of their bodies, particularly sex characteristics. They may also have strong aversive reactions upon being called by incorrect pronouns or by being dead-named

FTM/MTF: Female to Male and Male to Female, referring to trans men and women respectively

Gay: A man who is attracted emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually to other men

Gender: Refers to the sociological set of boundaries and signifiers that define people as being feminine, masculine, or androgynous

Gender Binary: The incorrect system of thought that there are only two genders (male or female)

Gender Expansive: Someone who doesn’t identify with normative gender but instead broadens it so as to not be confined to one particular narrative or experience. This is most often used for young children

Gender Expression/Presentation: How someone looks, dresses, or acts to represent their gender identity based on the gender signifiers made by their society

Gender Identity: Someone’s internal sense of what their gender is which may or may not align with their gender assigned at birth. This has nothing to do with sexual orientation

Genderfluid: Someone who is highly flexible about their gender expression and presentation. They may fluctuate between presentations and identities, or combine them

Gender-Neutral Pronouns: Pronouns that are used in place of he/him or she/her. Most common are they/them, sie/hir, and zie/zim

Gender Nonconforming: Someone who doesn’t conform to society’s expectation of their gender role. For example, this could apply to men who wear make-up or women who present as butch

Gender Neutral: This refers to making objects, names, terms, etc. applicable to all genders. For example, firefighter is a gender neutral term as it does not imply the gender of the person

Genderqueer: An identity taken on people who feel their gender lies outside the labels of male and female

Homophobia: The irrational fear, hatred of, and/or discrimination against people who are attracted to those of their same sex

Intersex: A term that includes people born with ambiguous genitalia, chromosomal combinations other than XY and XX, or certain hormonal conditions that cause differences in sex development. Those with ambiguous genitalia are often surgically altered at birth, a practice that is increasingly being spoken out against. Intersex people may choose to identify as trans, but not everyone does

Lesbian: A woman who is attracted emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually to other women

Misgendering: Referring to someone with terms and pronouns that do not match their gender identity. This is particularly distressing for trans people and is often a form of harassment

MLM: Man loving man/men. Used to refer to men of all sexualities who are attracted in some way to men

Non-binary: Someone who does not identify as male or female, but rather outside the gender binary. The term is used as a self-identifier and also to encompass other identities outside the gender binary

Non-labeling: Someone who doesn’t identify with existing labels

Pangender: A non-binary identity where someone identifies with two or more genders, with any/all genders, or as a separate third gender

Pansexual: Someone who is attracted emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually to any gender

Passing: Being perceived by cisgender people as one of them. This is mostly used in the trans community as being recognized as one’s gender by others. For example, a trans woman being recognized as a woman would be her “passing”

Poly: Short for polyamorous, describes someone who is open to the idea of being in a relationship with multiple partners

Queer: A catch-all umbrella term for people in the LGBTQ+ community. The word is a reclaimed slur, and is still used as such, so check with people before using it

Questioning: Someone who is trying to understand or questioning their sexuality and/or gender

Sex: Refers to the qualities displayed on the human body that, medically speaking, define people as being male, female, or intersex. This is judged by genitalia, hormone levels, chromosomes, internal sex organs, and secondary sex characteristics. Sex and gender are not determined by each other

Sexual Orientation: Defined by whom you are attracted to emotionally, sexually, and/or romantically. This has nothing to do with gender

Stealth: When a trans person chooses to not be openly trans in their social lives and doesn’t readily reveal they are trans to the people around them

Straight: Men who are attracted emotionally, physically, and/or sexually exclusively to women and women who are attracted emotionally, physically, and/or sexually exclusively to men. Attraction between men and women is heterosexual (straight) regardless of if either person is trans

Trans feminine: Someone assigned male at birth whose identity has moved away from masculinity. Used for trans women and AMAB non-binary people

Transgender: An umbrella term for those who don’t identify with the gender assigned to them at birth

Transition: Refers to the process of changing one’s living situation to suit the individual’s gender identity more accurately. Typically, during this process, one may get surgeries, hormones, or a name change to reflect their gender identity and lessen their dysphoria

Trans man: A man who was assigned female at birth

Trans Masculine: Someone assigned female at birth whose identity has moved away from femininity. Used for trans men and AFAB non-binary people

Transphobia: The irrational fear, hatred of, or discrimination against people who are trans

Trans Woman: A woman who was assigned male at birth

WLW: Woman loving woman/women. Used to refer to women of all sexualities who are attracted in some way to women.