National & Neighborhood Resources
If you are in need of assistance related to housing, utilities, food assistance, or need assistance while in a domestic violence situation we encourage you to look over the below resources, and to reach out for help. You are not alone.
Tyler/East Texas LGBTQIA+ Organizations
Alphabet Army is The Glass House Resource Center’s Youth Support Division and holds their activities at the center.
Alphabet Army empowers, educates, and supports LGTBQIA+ youth, allies and parents by providing a safe and inclusive space to build a community. Through resources, education and networking we lower barriers and promote equality for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Founded in May 2008, TAG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight allies in East Texas. TAG exists to educate the public on issues specifically affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, as well as their families and friends, (b) intends to conduct activities aimed at the elimination of prejudice, discrimination, isolation, and bullying of such persons, and (c) promotes awareness of injustices perpetrated against and the need for the defense of human and civil rights of such persons.
TAG promotes community wellness and celebrates our diversity through support, education, outreach, and advocacy.
PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
[This resource is great for Parents, Friends, and Allies that are not members of the LGBTQIA+ community themselves.]
St. Clare's Episcopal Church is a vibrant and welcoming community that embraces diversity and inclusivity with open arms. Located in the heart of the city, St. Clare's is more than just a place of worship—it is a safe haven for all individuals, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Offering:
Just As I Am is made up of members of the LGBTQ community and our allies.
Religious Trauma Recovery Collective which seeks to provide a brave space for those affected by religious trauma to name it, begin healing, and navigate their own path on their own terms. RTRC has no agenda of leading people back to church.
Tyler/East Texas LGBTQIA+ Friendly Mental Health Providers
From Amy:
“Offering EMDR intensive sessions for post traumatic stress disorder. I see you and I want you to know that you are not alone. We all have negative experiences that bring us down but the truth is we don't have to stay there. The inner pain and struggles that you experience do not make you any less worthy of living a good life. Don't let your past have a hold on you. You are stronger than you think and hold the power within yourself to overcome any situation.
I specialize in teen and young adult counseling- trauma, depression, LGBTQIA+ populations and more. I help clients navigate conflicting emotions and the pain from past experiences. I fully believe in my clients’ capacity to fully trust themselves in moving towards a more fulfilling life. I want to create a space for my clients to be seen and heard.
I believe everyone has the ability to create the life they want. Sometimes that means healing from the past and untangling the mess that at times feels too heavy to acknowledge. It means learning new skills to help you move forward and learning to trust in yourself and your abilities. It can mean forgiveness and understanding, especially for yourself.”
Cash Pay
From Nicole:
“I'm a Master's level Licensed Professional Counselor that resides in and works in Texas. I have been in the mental health field since 2008 and licensed since 2013. Due to working at the Local Mental Health Authority, with a Medicaid provider, and in private practice, I have worked with a lot of different types of clients over the past 17 years.
I have been repeatedly told that I am easy to talk to as a counselor and set my clients at ease. I also enjoy providing a lot of education about the brain, body, and how the two interact with one another. Since I am a counselor in the LGBTQ+ community who is located in a challenging area for that particular community, I have a lot of insight and experience coping with those particular challenges, which can be especially helpful for my teenage and young adult clients who may be struggling with those issues in this area. I also have addiction and mental health disorders in my family, so I have personal experience I can share with and add to the therapy sessions.”
Accepting Insurance
From Chelsea:
“I obtained a Masters of Science and Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. Since graduating in 2014, I have provided services that work to increase healthy attachments by providing nurturing and consistent care for children, adolescents, and adults. I believe our time together is best spent learning and practicing new behaviors in the safety of the session. Experiences in sessions help build muscle memory so that individuals will find it easier to use the skills in their own environments. My practice is based on mindfulness and attachment. I use DBT as the main approach for my work with teens and adults. We will focus on learning and practicing emotion regulation skills, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. For children, the focus is learning skills through play. I use games to teach emotional awareness and decision-making skills to all ages! As current or prospective customer, you understand that you can text us STOP at any time to opt out of receiving SMS text messages. Mobile information will not be shared with any third parties.”
Cash Pay
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the local behavioral health hospital that served most of our region closed its doors and left a dire need for outpatient counseling services in East Texas - particularly with younger individuals, those seeking addiction treatment, and the LGBTQ+ community. Erin Cameron and Rachel Spurgeon, two millennial counselors (and former employees of said behavioral health hospital), came together to create a place that could respond to that need - and go beyond.
Accepting Insurance
From Rory:
“I offer a variety of mental health, addictions and coaching services to help you move past the obstacles in your life. I will help you identify your personal values, strengths, and abilities in support of your personal needs and professional goals. Contact me to see how I can help you develop different perspectives and achieve the outcomes you’re striving for.”
Cash Pay
Mosaic Counseling Centers of East Texas exist to build a healthier community by uniting mind, body, and spirit through counseling, connection and community, honoring individual beliefs and practices.
Our vision is to be the destination for high-quality mental health care that is affordable and accessible to our East Texas community.
Accepting Insurance
Andrews Behavioral Health has been moving mountains in the fields of mental, behavioral, and intellectual development healthcare across East Texas since 1968. Serving five counties—Smith, Henderson, Rains, Van Zandt, and Wood—our mission is to help more than 12,000 individuals each year ascend to new heights in their mental health journey. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), we’re committed to providing accessible, high-quality care for all, regardless of financial limitations. Without Andrews, many of our clients would not be able to receive the help they desperately need.
Accepting Insurance
Individual therapy for adults and teens, couples and families, in-person or telehealth. We have therapists who specialize in various areas using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, Prolonged Exposure, Polyvagal Theory, The Gottman Method and other evidence-based modalities.
Accepting Insurance
It is important for us to support the equal rights of all people. Some of your work in therapy might be internal, navigating significant life transitions like identity, relationships and sexuality. Sometimes you need support from us while you tell the loved ones in your life what you need.
Our role is to help you move forward. Some of our clients want to simply understand themselves, and others want help having others understand them better. You may want to learn how to connect more with your body, and you may not even know what options you have in front of you. We support the LGBTQIA+ community and we are also sex positive.
Accepting Insurance
*Note: These providers are located in Sulphur Springs but offer Telehealth/Virtual Appointments.
Crisis Support
Trans Lifeline
Support for Trans Community — Call if you need someone trans to talk to. Full anonymity, no nonconsensual active rescue. Trans Lifeline is a phone service run by trans people for our trans & questioning peers. Frequently Asked Questions.
1-877-565-8860
Oprime 2 para hablar con alguien en español.
Trans Lifeline’s hotline operating hours are Monday through Friday:
12 PM – 8 PM Central
SAGE LGTBQ Elder Hotline
We’re a national advocacy and services organization that’s been looking out for LGBTQ+ elders since 1978. We build welcoming communities and keep our issues in the national conversation to ensure a fulfilling future for all LGBTQ+ people. HearMe, an LGBTQ+ founded company, is an on-demand mental wellness app that allows you to text one-on-one with trained empathetic listeners to get things off your chest, be seen, heard, and validated.In partnership with SAGE, HearMe offers exclusive, round-the-clock access to culturally competent, empathetic LGBTQ+ and allied listeners who understand your life experiences. Our listeners are trained in LGBTQ+ and aging issues. They’re here to provide you with the support, understanding, and connection you deserve.
Call: 1-877-360-5428
More information on their website here: SAGE USA
National LGBTQ Resources
The Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation fight to make equality, equity and liberation a reality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. As the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, they drive impact by inspiring, engaging and mobilizing millions of pro-equality voters and supporters to elect pro-equality leaders and to demand equity-based policies and legislation; changing hearts and minds through programming that increases understanding, visibility and support for the diverse LGBTQ+ community in all aspects of our identities; and transforming the institutions and systems that shape our everyday lives by advancing LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in schools, workplaces, hospitals, communities and beyond.
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
We are democracy in action. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund supports pro-equality, pro-choice, out LGBTQ+ candidates at all levels of government who we know can win their elections and fight for our rights.
Call Black Line
Call BlackLine® provides a space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens. Call BlackLine® prioritizes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). By us for us. BlackLine is non-judgmental, affirming and supportive, listener-witnessing and information gathering about your experience.
1-800-604-5841
The Trevor Project
Crisis counselors are trained to answer calls, chats, or texts from LGBTQ+ young people who reach out on our free, confidential and secure 24/7 service when they are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, and suicide.
Call: to hear a live voice on the line, 1-866-488-7386
Text: send ‘START’ to 678-678
Chat: Click here.
Lambda Legal’s lawyers have won precedent-setting civil rights cases on everything from marriage equality to expressions of gender identity to health care discrimination. We have made legal history since day one, winning our right to incorporate. We then got to work using our knowledge of the law to fight for our community’s lives and dignity.
LGBT National Hotline
All of our support volunteers identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ family, and are here to serve the entire community, by providing free & confidential peer-support, information, and local resources through national hotlines and online programs.
Hotline Hours:
Monday through Friday: 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM CT
Saturday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
LGBT National Coming Out Support: 1-888-688-5428
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743
LGBT National Senior Hotline: 1-888-234-7243
Crisis Text Line
GLSEN
GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
GLAAD
Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to protect all that has been accomplished and helps create a world where everyone can live the life they love.
As a dynamic media force, GLAAD ensures fair, accurate, and inclusive representation that rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and envisions a world with 100% LGBTQ acceptance.
NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma. Since 2003, NBJC has been America’s leading national civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS through coalition building, federal policy change, research, and education. Our mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ+/SGL bias and stigma. Now known as the National Black Justice Collective, NBJC supports Black individuals, families, and communities in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBTQ+/SGL equity.
We envision a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly, and honestly in family, faith, and community, regardless of race, class, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Advocates for Trans Equality fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America. Leveraging decades of experience on the frontlines of power, we shift government and society towards a future where we are no less than equal.
A4TE was founded in 2024 as the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), two long-time champions for the trans community, merged together as one organization. A4TE builds on their successes to boldly imagine a world where trans people live our lives joyfully and without barriers.
In a time of increased extremism against trans people and our allies, protecting and expanding our freedom to be who we are has never been more important.
Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity. By strengthening Jewish communities and equipping Jewish organizations with the skills and knowledge they need to make all LGBTQ+ Jews feel welcome, we work to ensure the full equality of all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families in Jewish life. We also create spaces in which all queer Jewish youth feel seen and valued and advance LGBTQ+ rights nationwide.
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.
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), a national leader in the LGBTQ+ AANHPI* community, serves as a convener of community leaders and groups; prepares leaders to challenge systemic injustices; and advocates for LGBTQ+ AANHPI liberation across the United States and its territories.
LGBTQ+ AANHPI : Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer + Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander
Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Since 2002 we’ve been organizing, assisting, informing and empowering thousands of individual community members towards a long-term, national, trans-led movement for liberation.
Established in 2011, The National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is the only social justice organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience.
Through our national advocacy center and affiliate state chapters we work daily, advocating to end poverty, discrimination in all forms and its human inequities faced in health, employment, housing and education that are rooted in systemic racism, to improve the lived experience of transgender people. Our work is based in peace building, community education, public policy initiatives, empowerment programs and direct services.
The National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition works with communities in the U.S. and across the globe to foster diversity, inclusion and equality for all people and is lead by the Black Transmen, Inc., Black Transwomen, Inc and Black Trans MX non profit organizations.
Rental & Utility Assistance
PATH volunteers and staff embody their faith by serving over 20,000 individuals from Smith County and surrounding areas through personalized programs and services. Every person seeking assistance meets privately with a Case Worker trained to listen, provide encouragement, and connect families to resources—whether through PATH or other community partners.
Offering assistance with Housing, Utilities, and Food in Anderson, Cherokee, Rusk and Smith Counties.
The Greater East Texas Community Action Program has been helping low-income families and at-risk youth and adults in Nacogdoches, TX, and the Greater East Texas area for over 50 years. When you need help getting a GED or modifying your home to lower your energy bills, we're here to help.
Offering Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Literacy Programs, and Early Childhood & Family Services.
Offering 24-hour crisis hotline, Emergency Shelter, Outreach Support, Legal Support and Advocacy, Accompaniment, Information and Referrals, Community Education, and Spanish Speaking Services.
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-441-5555
Offering Housing, Utility, and Food Assistance across all of Texas.
Food Assistance
Get help applying for social service programs to help with getting food, medical care and other services by appointment. Other wraparound support services will be offered as they are available. This includes utility assistance, child care programs, nutrition education programs and more.
Monday – Thursday
Pantry Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Pantry Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Pantry Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.