LGBTQ+
With societies growing far more accepting, people who identify themselves as LGBTQ+ have gained more freedoms and rights, particularly in Western countries. Due to these changes, the voices of members of the LGBTQ+ have been amplified and can be found in various forms of media including music, films and writing. These advancements should not deter people from the fact that there is much more growth that needs to be achieved before resting is possible. Below are resources that can be used to learn more about or connect with the LGBTQ+ community.
Books
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Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit - Jeanette Winterson
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - Benjamin Alire Sáenz
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Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
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Under the Udala Trees - Chinelo Okparanta
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Boy Erased: A Memoir - Garrard Conley
Media
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Call Me By Your Name - Available on Amazon Prime
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Love, Simon - Available on Amazon Prime
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The Half of It - Available on Netflix
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Pride - Available on Amazon Prime
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Alex Strangelove - Available on Netflix
Spotify
Spotify acts as a resource that can easily connect people with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Most genres have LGBTQ+ artists who have a passion for writing and producing music that articulates their struggles and feelings. There are also numerous podcasts available for listeners to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. These include:
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Bearded Fruit - Cody and Neil Daigle-Orians
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LGBTQ+ Fiction Story Podcastes - Celine
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Gender Reveal - Tuck Woodstock
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Others
There are many resources available for teens struggling with their identity, how to come out or the environment they’re living in. These include:
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Genders and Sexualities Alliance Networks (typically offered by schools)
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It Gets Better Project - An online community focused on helping LGBTQ+ youth around the world with anything they may be struggling with
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The Trevor Project - “a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.”
Donate Here!
The 519 - https://www.the519.org/
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​This is a Toronto based organization centred on helping teens, parents and members of the LGBTQ+ community of all ages navigate living in such a major city.
Rainbow Railroad - https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/​
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This organization helps LGBTQ+ people worldwide by using donations to help them escape from violence in their home countries due to their sexuality.
More Toronto based charities here: https://yohomo.ca/blog/guide-lgbt-charities-in-toronto​
Canadian LGBTQ+ Charities here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/explore/charities/category/social-services/sub-category/lesbian-gay-bi-trans-queer/