LGBTQ Youth Organizations, Programs, and Social Support Groups in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
The Attic Youth Center –
The Attic is one of the leading LGBTQ Youth Community Centers in the nation. They host a variety of programs, social services, and events which engage hundreds of youth. They provide a diversity of services, so check out their website for more information!
Delaware Valley
The Main Line Youth Alliance –
Wayne, PA
The Main Line Youth Alliance (MYA) provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender questioning youth and straight allies, with social educational and supportive activities in a confidential, respectful and safe environment. MYA programs, unique in the Philadelphia’s western suburbs, encourages healthy relationships with peers, family and community. MYA meets every Friday evening from 7:00pm-9:30 pm at the Central Baptist Church in Wayne.
The Rainbow Room – Planned Parenthood Keystone
Doylestown, PA
Planned Parenthood Keystone’s Rainbow Room is Bucks County’s inclusive, empowering, and brave space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning+ youth, and their allies. The Rainbow Room provides a supportive, welcoming and fun environment for youth between the ages of 14 and 21. Since its inception over 15 years ago, the Rainbow Room has had a critical and affirmative impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ youth, their families and the Bucks County community as a whole. The Rainbow Room meets in Doylestown on Wednesdays from 6-8pm.
Central Pennsylvania
The Curve – Planned Parenthood Keystone
York, PA
The Curve is a support program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth and their allies who are between the ages of 14 and 21, and is a safe, supportive, welcoming and fun environment for advocacy and educational and recreational activities. The Curve meets every other Thursday from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in Planned Parenthood of Central PA’s York health center. Please contact 845.9683 x 235 for more information.
Common Roads – The LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central PA
Harrisburg, PA // Lancaster, PA
Common Roads provides education, advocacy, and programming to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth throughout the Central Pennsylvania region. Common Roads meets every Wednesday in Harrisburg from 6-8 pm, every Thursday in Carlisle from 6-8 pm, and every Friday in Lancaster from 7-9:30 pm. Movies, coffeehouse nights, discussion, arts, field trips – you name it!
Lancaster: Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster, 538 West Chestnut Street
Fridays, 7:00-9:30 pm
Harrisburg: LGBT Center of Central PA, 1306 North Third Street
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm
Bring Your Own Queer – The Centre LGBTQA Support Network
State College, PA
An LGBTQA+ Youth Group (8th-12th graders) which is co-sponsored by CLSN, CC Youth Service Bureau, and the SC Presbyterian Church. Meetings take place the second Friday of every month 5:30-8:00pm at the State College Presbyterian Church Fireside Room (132 West Beaver Avenue, State College). Meetings include supper, respect for who you are, great company, and opportunities to share.
Pittsburgh
Project Silk – Pittsburgh – CHS
Project SILK provides a safe, healthy, supportive community environment for LGBT youth of color to grow, celebrate, and express themselves. With service providers and community partners, we advocate for our youth to determine the meaning and direction for their own lives. Project Silk is an HIV prevention and care initiative geared toward our priority community, black and latinx young (13 -29 years) gay men and transgender individuals of color in the Pittsburgh region. Project Silk drop in hours are Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. We are located downtown on the Mezzanine Level of 304 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Dreams of Hope —
Dreams of Hope (DOH) has established itself as Pittsburgh’s only arts-focused, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied (LGBTA) youth (13-21) organization.
Lehigh Valley
Haven – The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem, PA
Haven is an open community striving for inclusiveness, valuing individual rights, personal freedoms and ecological/social responsibilities at both the secular and spiritual levels. Haven Youth Group is one program of UUCLV which provides a safe, supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, & transgender questioning youth, while providing positive role models and peer support, sponsoring social and recreational activities, and safe weekly meetings for GLBT youth. Location : Universalist Church at 424 Center Street in Bethlehem. Haven Youth Group meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Meetings are open to GLBTAQI youth ages 14-20.
Project SILK – Lehigh Valley – Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Center
Allentown, PA
Project SILK Lehigh Valley creates brave space for LGBT youth of color and their social networks to be themselves. Project SILK Lehigh Valley provides daily, professionally-staffed youth programs for LGBT youth ages 14-21, builds leadership among LGBT youth and provides HIV interventions to empower youth to be their own healthcare advocates. As a youth empowerment program, Project SILK Lehigh Valley develops youth leadership within the program. Program participants have a clear voice in determining the direction of the program. Project SILK Lehigh Valley is open from 3-7pm Monday-Friday, and operates out of the first floor at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, 522 W. Maple St., Allentown, PA 18101 — enter at the side entrance on S. Law St.
The Spectrum – Planned Parenthood Keystone
Reading, PA
The Spectrum is a safe haven for LGBTQ youth, ages 14 – 21, in the Greater Reading area. Teens participate in recreational activities, socialize and receive information related to health, sexuality, and life skills. LGBTQ youth face discrimination and increased risk for self-destructive behavior and other challenges. SPECTRUM helps by providing support, camaraderie and education. The SPECTRUM meets every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 48 South 4th Street, Reading. To find out more call (610) 376-0137.
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Sexuality and Gender Alliance – Washington County GSA
Washington, PA
The Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, Inc. has facilitated and provided resources for a peer group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Questioning, Queer, Asexual, and Allied (LGBTQA) youth since November 2005. The WCGSA formed a Nonprofit Corporation in August, 2012, to expand programming and services. Youth meetings (up through age 20) take place Tuesdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Center on Strawberry (59 East Strawberry Avenue, Washington, PA).
PRISM of Beaver County
Beaver, PA
PRISM (Pride. Respect. Inspiration. Safety. Mentoring.) is a nonprofit outreach organization for the LGBTQ+ youth of Beaver County and surrounding counties. Our intention is to be a safe and supportive place for the LGBTQ+, friends, families and allies of the local community. A space online, and in person, to address the issues, challenges and triumphs of local LGBTQ+ youth. PRISM has one monthly meeting in Beaver (at NAMI of Beaver County), and usually one outing each month.