LGBTQ+

Supporting youth through challenging times just got easier. Digital stand-alone sessions of All Together Rising are now available. Target the immediate needs of your Circle by purchasing a single facilitator-guided session on the specific forms of adversity your group members may be experiencing: Community Violence, Loss/Grief, Housing Insecurity ...

We recognize that coming out regarding sexual or gender identity is a deeply personal journey and it can be a challenging and intimidating process without the proper support. In honor of this significant milestone and as we approach National Coming Out Day on October 11th, OCF is offering a new session titled, “Thinking About Coming Out” designed for facilitators of Girls Circle®, Unity Circle™, and The Council for Boys and Young Men®. Read More... ...

I grew up at a time when thinking about coming out was foreign to me, growing up, I never knew there was another way to celebrate my authentic self. According to societal norms, I was supposed to act ladylike, wear dresses, be polite, find a nice guy, get married, and... Read More. ...

September 15th – October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month, when Americans celebrate the “histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” One Circle Foundation is dedicated to ensuring equal access to Circles for all youth, including Latine youth, who often face higher than normal rates of depression, alcohol and drug abuse according to the American Addiction Center. To create a safe and supportive environment for these young individuals, we... Read More. ...

Supporting LGBTQ+ youth is so important with the rates of suicidal ideation increasing. Guide the youth in your life through the following conversation so they have a chance to identify their role models and values. Let’s help empower youth on their journey of self-discovery. ...

As a facilitator of circle programs, there are many times when you will be asked for support and resources on a myriad of topics from the participants in your groups or their family members and friends. You may also find yourself in a position where others see you as a leader and rely on you for support and guidance beyond your role as a facilitator—as a caring individual, parent, coworker, friend, or community member. You don’t need to be an expert or have all of the answers when someone is seeking your support or guidance, but you can ask open questions, be a supportive listener, and provide resources from folks who are the experts. ...

“If we are working toward equity by making a protected space in our groups for the experience of queer kids, we also need to ask ourselves if we are allowing these same queer kids to come with their racial identity, their socioeconomic status, their ability status, their gender identity, their religious affiliation, and everything else that makes them who they are”. ...

Report after report and a seemingly endless stream of articles have recently been released showing that youth and teen mental health is in crisis. Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and attempts of suicide are up across the board, and the numbers increase for youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and girls.& ...

June is National Pride Month, a time to reflect on the actions and courageous efforts of countless LGBT+ individuals in our history who fought for the rights of entire communities that faced unjust violence, discrimination, or were flat-out ignored by larger society. Every Wednesday throughout June we provided a social media highlight on an amazing LGBT+ individual whose community work changed the course of American, and LGBT+, history. Read all 5 features on Harvey Milk, Gilbert Baker, Marsha P. Johnson, Bayard Rustin, and Stormé DeLarverie in this compilation-style blog post. ...