Adolescent Sexual Health and the Dynamics of Oppression: A Call for Cultural Competency (Issues at a Glance) (Order publication - $2.00)
This paper is intended to assist in developing the cultural competency skills of those who work with youth, and ensure that programs empower young participants by involving them in all aspects of designing and running programs for youth as well as provide culturally appropriate interventions, with culturally competent adult and youth staff It provides guidelines for understanding the impact of prejudice and discrimination on vulnerable adolescents;assessing and addressing their needs; and building on their assets.

Creating Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth: A Toolkit (available online only)
Because homophobia is a real problem, for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) and straight youth, this online toolkit is intended to assist you, the youth-serving professional, in educating youth to understand and support their GLBTQ peers; redressing homophobia and creating awareness among your staff; and becoming a GLBTQ ally yourself.

GLBTQ Youth (The Facts) (Order publication - $1.00)
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (GLBTQ) youth face tremendous difficulties in a society where heterosexuality often seems the only acceptable orientation, homosexuality is regarded as deviant, and variation from cultural concepts of "normal gender" often evokes hostility or violence. Research shows that homophobia and heterosexism greatly contribute to GLBTQ youth's high rates of attempted and completed suicide, violence victimization, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and HIV-associated risky behaviors. However, some programs offer GLBTQ youth the skills and support they need to develop into healthy adults.

HIV/STD Prevention and Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (Issues at a Glance) (available online only)
HIV/STD prevention that targets gay men seldom meets the needs of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Some YMSM do not relate to gay-specific messages because they do not self-identify as gay. Many fear the social stigma and violence—sometimes intensified by culture and religion—directed at those identified as homosexual. Others identify themselves as bisexual and do not internalize gay-specific messages. On the other hand, HIV/STD prevention programs that target adolescents often exclude YMSM. This paper examines the challenges around preventing HIV in this population and provides guidelines for an effective, inclusive approach.

I Think I Might Be Bisexual, Now What Do I Do? (Pamphlet) (Order publication - see order form for pricing)
Written by bisexual youth, this pamphlet provides answers for young people with questions about sexual orientation.

I Think I Might Be Gay, Now What Do I Do?(Pamphlet) (Order publication - see order form for pricing)
Written by young gay men, this pamphlet provides answers for young people with questions about sexual orientation.

I Think I Might Be Lesbian, Now What Do I Do? (Pamphlet) (Order publication - see order form for pricing)
Written by young lesbians, this pamphlet provides answers for young people questioning their sexual orientation.

I Think I Might Be Transgender, Now What Do I Do? (Pamphlet) (Order publication - see order form for pricing)
Written by transgender youth, this pamphlet provides answers for young people who find that the gender to which they were born, or assigned at birth, does not fit them.

The Impact of Homophobia and Racism on GLBTQ Youth of Color (The Facts) (Order publication - $1.00)
As members of more than one minority group, GLBTQ youth of color face special challenges in a society which often presents heterosexuality as the only acceptable orientation and in which nonwhites have disproportionately higher rates of negative sexual outcomes. Economic and cultural disparities, as well as sexual risk taking and other risk-taking behavior, make these youth vulnerable to HIV, pregnancy, and sexual violence. Holistic, culturally competent health care is essential to their well being.

Tips and Strategies for Addressing Harassment  (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
Provides solutions for youth-serving professionals to stop verbal and physical harassment, especially of GLBTQ youth.

Tips and Strategies for Creating a Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth  (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
Creating a “safe space” is vital to working with GLBTQ youth. This document provides recommendations toward creating a safe space, including creating a declaration of values, empowering youth to ask difficult questions, dealing with hostile or exclusionary behavior if it arises, and dealing with outside organizations such as funders and other youth-serving organizations.

Tips and Strategies for Creating Inclusive Programs  (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
Whether or not you know of any GLBTQ youth in your program, it is essential to create a safe space for young people who are, who believe that they might be, or who have friends or family members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. This document provides guidance for creating programs that are inclusive of GLBTQ people and sensitive to GLBTQ issues.

Tips and Strategies for Meeting the Needs of GLBTQ Youth of Color  (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
GLBTQ youth of color face stigma related both to race/ethnicity and to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Most models of homosexual identity development are based on the experiences of white, middle- and upper-middle class lesbians and gays; while programs for youth of color may not yet acknowledge the presence and needs of GLBTQ youth among those they serve. This document provides strategies for effectively meeting the needs of GLBTQ youth of color.

Tips and Strategies for Meeting the Needs of Transgender Youth  (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
Transgender youth face several unique problems caused by the highly gendered societies in which they live. Overall, society in the United States relies on rigorously maintained concepts of gender and gender expression. This creates specific challenges for transgender youth. This document identifies the challenges and suggests solutions for youth serving professionals who desire to better serve transgender youth.

Tips and Strategies for Taking Steps to Cultural Fairness  (From Research to Practice) (available online only)
Understanding cultural differences and striving for cultural competency are vital skills for youth serving professionals. This document provides steps for assessing one’s own cultural influences and biases, and provides tips for dealing with all people of different cultural backgrounds and specifically for working with GLBTQ youth.

Working with GLBTQ Youth (Transitions) (Order publication - see order form for pricing) (available online only)
The June 2002 issue of Transitions offers factual information about the lives of and risks to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLTBQ) youth, as well as personal observations of young activists in the field. It provides criteria for successfully serving GLBTQ youth, GLBTQ youth of color, HIV-positive youth, transgender youth, and young people who question their sexual orientation.

Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: At Risk for HIV and STDs (The Facts) (available online only)
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are at high risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Many Americans are reluctant to discuss sexuality and sexual health openly. Homophobia and fear of encouraging sexual activity among young people make many adults even more reluctant to address sexual health in regard to YMSM. This fact sheet describes the risks and issues YMSM face and how programs can address them.

Young Women Who Have Sex with Women: Falling through Cracks for Sexual Health Care (Issues at a Glance) (available online only)
Health educators often assume that young women who have sex with women (YWSW) are at little or no risk for HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy when, in fact, risk behaviors and barriers to health care put YWSW at risk for all three. Moreover, the sexual health needs of young women of color who have sex with women go mostly unrecognized. YWSW need information and programs that specifically address their complex needs and that encourage them to protect themselves.