Most well-meaning adults are unsure of exactly how to talk about providing safe spaces for Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LBTQ) youth. Girl's Best Friend Foundation cares about this controversial issue because we care about girls and young women. We also know that your organization cares about the mental and emotional well-being of the girls and young women participating in your programs.

LBTQ issues are new to many girls' and youth programs. There are few resources and best practices that include safe space work in youth programs. Organizational barriers and challenges can also make the work difficult. We are here to help.

The best programs are those that welcome all kinds of girls, whether they are lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, intersex or straight. Safe spaces not only prevent bullying or name-calling, but they also proactively promote the security and well-being of all participants.

There is much to learn about how to talk about LBTQ issues and how to support girls as they consider their sexual identity. New information is made available almost every day. In the meantime, we want to help your organization provide truly safe spaces where girls can take risks and reap the benefits of a girl-positive, girl-centered environment.

We've collected these checklists, workshops, tips, ideas, links, books and contact information for your use. Much of the information and resources we found were developed for institutions rather than programs and organizations like yours. With a little creativity and flexibility, we believe these resources can be helpful to you.

Research has found that many open-minded and girl-positive organizations are close-minded on the issue of sexual orientation.¹ And homophobia and heterosexism often arise when programs reinforce traditional gender stereotypes, restricting girls' self-determination and empowerment.

Common sense tells us that girls feel more comfortable in programs that they want to attend. If you have already begun to create safe spaces for all girls and young women, your organization has made an important step in its development. Committing to creating anti-homophobic and anti-heterosexist programs means committing to accept all girls regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or conformity to gender stereotypes.

Let's work together to give girls what they need to grow into strong, independent women. If you know about a resource that we should include in our guide, please contact GBF and let us know.

LBTQ resources were inspired, in part, by GBF, Crossroads Fund and the Chicago Foundation for Women's collaborative LGBTQ Youth Safe Space Project.

The larger Project's research and outcomes are in development. Focus groups and surveys (facilitated by Mary Morten, Morten Group, and Laura McAlpine, McAlpine Consulting, in Fall 2003) of the foundations' grantee organizations have been completed. Research, planning and resource development will continue into 2004.

¹ Phillips, Lynn. Speak for Yourself: What Girls Say About What Girls Need. Girl's Best Friend Foundation. 1999. 17.

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Resources were collected and reviewed by Sarah Cohodes, an intern with the Foundation during Summer 2003. We thank Sarah for her great work, creativity and commitment.

To read Sarah's thoughtful essay about the importance of this work, click here.

Throughout the resource guide, Sarah's favorite tools and tips are marked with an * asterisk.