LGBTQ+: University, Local, + National Resources

The Performing Arts Department's Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, tells his story of coming out.

Story about Damian Torres-Botello, SJ of Detroit Mercy's Performing Arts Department, and his coming out story with The Varsity newspaper. From New Ways Ministry.

"... ongoing assessment of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic departments’ policies and practices around LGBTQ inclusion."

Services include a behavioral health program and Covid-19 vaccine services.

"... focused on serving the LGBTQ community in Southeastern Michigan."

"Health professionals advancing LGBTQ equality." Search directory by state or zip code.

Includes a Health and Wellness Center in partnership with Henry Ford Health System.

Programs and services ranging from health and wellness to youth leadership to support, education, and advocacy.

Contact information for the LGBTQ Liaison to the Mayor's Office, LGBTQ Liaison for the Detroit Police Department, and more.

"The Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce mission is to promote and empower our Metropolitan Detroit LGBT, allied business members, non-profit members, corporate partners and their employees through leadership, advocacy and education."

"This site’s primary goal is to connect victims of individual incidents of bias, discrimination, harassment, and violence, including intimate partner violence, to the support, referral, and navigational services they need to achieve justice."

"Detroit based 501c(3) nonprofit organization... whose mission is to increase awareness of and support to Detroit's dynamic LGBT culture through education and advocacy with integrity and pride."

The Movement Advancement Project's quick facts about Michigan's LGBT population and LGBT policy tally.

" Since 1987, PFLAG Detroit offers various programs to support GLBT people and their families. We have been keeping families together for over 30 years, we have striven to combat hate, discrimination and violence. Our goal is to have equal rights for all our children. Our group sessions give us a chance to hear and understand the true feelings of parents, GLBT people and their allies. Through education and sharing, we are helping people understand issues that have caused discord and misunderstanding, sometimes tearing families apart."

The core purpose of the Ruth Ellis Center is to build "Positive Futures with Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Attractional, Transgender, and Questioning Young People Experiencing Systemic and Interpersonal Barriers to Housing, Health, and Wellness."

Support, education, and advocacy for and on behalf of transgender people in Michigan and their allies.

"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."

"... works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support."

" As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change."

Works to ensure that K-12 "LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment."

Mission: "By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community."

"The It Gets Better Project is a global non-profit that reaches millions of young people each year through inspiring media programming, educational resources, international affiliates in 19 countries, and access to an arsenal of community-based service providers."

From the American Civil Liberties Union.

"The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people." Work focuses on eliminating "barriers in every aspect of their lives... housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights."

"...400+ chapter network provides confidential peer support, education and advocacy in communities in nearly all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico... PFLAG has been saving lives, strengthening families, changing hearts, minds and laws since 1972."

"Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25."

"... dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A think tank at UCLA Law, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media and the public."

"The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) brings together groups and their members who work for pastoral care and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and their families. The Network works for the inclusion, dignity and equality of this community in the Roman Catholic Church and wider society."

Search for LGBTQ-welcoming parishes by state. (Looking for someplace very local? Gesu Parish - across from the McNichols Campus - is on the list.)

"New Ways Ministry is a Catholic outreach that educates and advocates for equity, inclusion, and justice for LGBTQ+ persons, equipping leaders to build bridges of dialogue within the Church and civil society."

Search for LGBTQ+/Catholic-related articles, books, documents, media, organizations, and websites. James Martin, SJ, serves as editor.

Poster presentation from the Justice in Jesuit Higher Education virtual conference, June 2021.