LGBTQ-Affirming Resources for Youth in California
LGBTQ+ youth across California, especially those living in rural areas or holding intersecting marginalized identities, face disproportionately high mental health risks due to stigma, discrimination, and lack of accessible affirming care. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey (2023), over 45% of LGBTQ+ high school students reported experiencing chronic sadness or hopelessness, and nearly 1 in 3 seriously considered suicide.
Culturally responsive, affirming mental health support is crucial to countering these disparities and fostering resilience and well-being. This resource list highlights organizations across Northern, Southern, Rural, and Intersectional communities in California that provide LGBTQ-affirming therapy, counseling, peer support, or care, especially for youth in need.
Northern California-Based Resources
LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center)
San Francisco-based center offering free, affirming therapy, case management, and leadership programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14–24 in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Pacific Center for Human Growth
Berkeley-based center providing LGBTQ-affirming therapy, youth groups, and community programs focused on empowerment and connection for queer individuals of all ages.
The LGBTQ Youth Space
San Jose drop-in center and mental health clinic offering free counseling, peer groups, and support for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–25.
Dimensions Clinic
Youth clinic in San Francisco offering free, gender-affirming and trauma-informed therapy, health care, and case management for LGBTQ+ people ages 12–25.
Outlet (Adolescent Counseling Services)
South Bay program offering support groups, therapy, and leadership development for LGBTQ+ youth, centering identity, community, and self-advocacy.
Gender Health Center
Sacramento-based nonprofit offering sliding-scale mental health services for transgender, nonbinary, and queer people, with youth-focused therapy and support.
RYSE Center
Richmond youth center providing free counseling, peer support, wellness programs, and creative expression opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–24.
LGBTQ+ Connection
Serving Napa and Sonoma, this bilingual youth-led program offers therapy referrals, peer support, and leadership development for LGBTQ+ youth in rural and suburban communities.
Our Space (a program of Side by Side)
Alameda County program offering therapy, peer groups, and family support for LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those impacted by trauma or foster care.
QTY Treehouse (Sierra Foothills AIDS Foundation)
Grass Valley program offering peer groups, case management, and affirming counseling for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth in rural Northern California.
Southern California-Based Resources
Los Angeles LGBT Center – Youth Services
One of the largest LGBTQ+ centers in the world, providing youth-specific therapy, emergency housing, life skills training, and support groups for ages 24 and under.
San Diego LGBT Community Center – Youth Services
Provides affirming therapy, drop-in support, and youth development programs for LGBTQ+ individuals ages 10–24 in a safe, accessible environment.
Brave Trails
Leadership-focused camp and year-round support program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12–18, combining wellness, identity development, and community building.
The Trevor Project
National 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service offering chat, phone, and text lines for LGBTQ+ youth; widely accessed in Southern California.
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach – Youth Services
Offers peer groups, affirming therapy, workshops, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–24 in the Long Beach area.
The Wall Las Memorias
Offers culturally competent therapy, HIV prevention, and LGBTQ+ youth support in East LA, with emphasis on Latinx and underserved communities.
South Bay LGBTQ Center
Community-based center providing support groups, referrals, and youth events for LGBTQ+ people in the South Bay region.
OUTreach Center – High Desert
Antelope Valley center offering counseling referrals, support groups, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families in the High Desert area.
TransLatin@ Coalition – LifeLab Youth Program
Los Angeles-based nonprofit offering therapy, life skills, and case management for transgender and gender-expansive youth, especially those from immigrant and Latinx communities.
Rural California-Based Resources
Stonewall Alliance of Chico
Provides LGBTQ+ youth groups, mental health referrals, education, and advocacy in Butte County and surrounding rural communities.
NorCal OUTreach Project
Redding-based nonprofit offering LGBTQ+ support groups, youth programming, and therapy referrals across rural Northern California.
Trinity Pride Coalition
Supports LGBTQ+ youth in Trinity County through school-based programs, mental health supports, and culturally aware community partnerships.
Lassen Pride Network
Rural Northeastern CA group providing LGBTQ+ youth outreach, safe spaces, affirming resources, and visibility-building events.
The LGBTQ+ Center of the Desert – Eastern Coachella Valley
Bilingual center offering youth therapy, leadership training, and peer support for queer youth in rural Eastern Riverside County.
Plumas County GSA
Rural advocacy group providing mental health resources, youth gatherings, and affirming education to LGBTQ+ individuals in Plumas County.
Tri-Couny LGBT Alliance – Tuolumne County
Community-driven LGBTQ+ collective in the Central Sierra Nevada offering youth support groups and inclusive events.
Intersectional & Culturally Specific LGBTQ+ Resources
AmBi Los Angeles
Peer-led community for bisexual+ people offering inclusive support, social spaces, and mental health resources, with emphasis on intersectionality and youth belonging.
Brown Boi Project
Oakland-based organization serving LGBTQ+ masculine people of color through healing retreats, mental health support, and leadership grounded in racial and gender justice.
Casa Ruby @ Bay Area
Supports trans and nonbinary immigrant youth of color with affirming care, housing, and mental health support rooted in intersectional advocacy.
Somos Familia
Bay Area bilingual nonprofit providing support groups, education, and therapy resources for Latinx LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
Queer LifeSpace
San Francisco mental health nonprofit offering sliding-scale therapy focused on BIPOC, disabled, and low-income LGBTQ+ youth.
APIENC (API Equality – Northern California)
Builds wellness and visibility for trans and queer Asian and Pacific Islander youth through peer support, healing programs, and leadership development.
Gender Justice LA
BIPOC trans-led organization creating healing spaces and wellness supports for youth navigating systems of oppression, with peer support and therapy access.
San Francisco-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal services to LGBT individuals seeking asylum due to persecution for their sexual or gender identity or HIV status.
Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC)
California-based national hub for Deaf LGBTQ+ youth, offering community support, identity-affirming services, and mental health information in accessible formats.