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Sexual Orientation

by Tarah Doyle, M.A./CAGS School Psychologist

Sexual orientation is a term used to refer to a person's emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction towards others. Sexual orientation involves a person's feelings and sense of identity and can easily be distinguished from other components of sexuality including biological sex, gender identity, and the social gender role. There is a continuum, of sorts, of sexual orientation ranging from exclusive heterosexuality to exclusive homosexuality. Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior, in that, it refers to feelings and self-concept. Individuals may or may not express their sexual orientation through their behaviors. [More]

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Resource Organizations » Sexual Orientation

16 listing(s), including 3 with hotlines and 3 offering support groups

In Massachusetts

Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project

The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male survivor of domestic violence and developed through the strength, contributions and participation of the community.

The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project supports victims and survivors through education, advocacy and direct services. Understanding that the serious public health issue of domestic violence is not gender specific, we serve men in relationships with men, regardless of how they identify, and stand ready to assist them in navigating through abusive relationships.

The Network / La Red

In 1992, The Network/La Red began to offer free services for abused lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender (LBT) folks. Today these services have expanded and include a Hotline, Safe Home (emergency shelter) program, Advocacy program, and Organizing/Outreach program. All services are bilingual and wheelchair- & TTY-accessible. ASL interpreters, air filters, and reimbursement for child-care are available as needed. All services are free of charge.

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.

Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY)

Youth-led, adult-supervised social support group for all youth (ages 22 and under) who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning their gender or sexual identities. Group meets weekly; see website for details.

Boston Gay, Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (BOSTONGLASS)

We are a drop-in center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people between the ages of 13 and 25. We're a safe space to hang out at, make new friends, and just relax. We have a darkroom, computer stations, a library, a TV room, and a kitchen where you can grab a bite to eat. We're also a staff of full-time professionals here to offer support on things going on in your life. From coming out issues to health and relationships, there's nothing you can't talk to us about. We can help you answer questions and find the resources that you need.

Fenway Community Health Center, Peer Listening Line

Across the country, Fenway's HelpLines are a source of support. Talk to our trained volunteers about safer sex, coming out, where to find gay-friendly establishments, HIV and AIDS, depression, suicide, and anti-gay/lesbian harassment and violence. No matter what is on your mind, we are here to encourage and ensure you that you are not alone. This line is geared to callers 25 years and younger.

Click for a direct link to the Peer Listening Line.

Fenway Community Health Center, Violence Recovery Program

The Violence Recovery Program (VRP) at Fenway Community Health was founded in 1986 and was formerly known as the "Victim Recovery Program." The VRP provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referral services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) victims of bias crime, domestic violence, sexual assault and police misconduct. Other services include a support group for LGBT domestic violence survivors, the region's only support group for male survivors of rape and sexual assault, advocacy with the courts and police, and assistance with victim compensation.

Click for a direct link to the Violence Recovery Program.

Gay Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)

Founded in 1978, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression. GLAD has a full-time legal staff who focus on providing litigation, advocacy, and educational work in all areas of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights and the rights of people living with HIV.

Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Boston envisions a future in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Our work focuses on three overarching goals: programming, advocacy, and community organizing.

Keshet Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT)

Keshet seeks to create a fully welcoming and inclusive Jewish community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Jews in Greater Boston. Keshet develops leadership for change among GLBT Jews and allies to affect concrete changes in Jewish institutions' policies and cultures. Keshet also creates opportunities for GLBT Jews to come together, celebrate, and explore our Jewish identities in an affirming environment.

Maria Talks

Maria Talks is a statewide sexual health hotline and website designed specifically for Massachusetts teens covering topics such as pregnancy, sexual violence and GLBTQ. AIDS Action Committee (AAC) developed this website with funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Meetings in the Greater Boston area are in Arlington, Concord, Easton, and Reading.

Queer Asian Pacific Alliance

Founded in 1979, QAPA, formerly AMALGM, is the oldest Asian queer organization in the United States. QAPA is committed to providing a supportive social, political, and educational environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage (this is inclusive of A/PIs, A/PI Americans and those who are of mixed A/PI heritage) in the Boston and New England area. We currently have over 200 active members in the New England area, plus many more ex-members spread around the world.

Outside Massachusetts

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Youth Talkline

The GLBT National Youth Talkline provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.

All of our services are free and confidential.

We also maintain the largest resource database of its kind in the world, with over 18,000 listings. Our database contains information on social and support groups, as well as gay-friendly religious organizations, sports leagues, student groups and more.

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)

COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth, and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parents. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.

Point Foundation

The Point Foundation provides financial support, mentoring and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity.

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Publications

List of books, articles and other publications on Sexual Orientation.

36th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week, September 5th - 11th, 2010. See Families, Community Systems and Suicide, from the American Association of Suicidology.

In Crisis?
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Need a referral? Call us at 617-332-3666 x 411.

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Can't find what you need or need a referral to a mental health practitioner?
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The work of Project INTERFACE is supported in part by the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP).