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What We Offer

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Support Groups

Social Groups

Mental Health Resources

Transgender Resources

Centre LGBTQA in the Press

 

 

 

Support Groups

 

LGBTQ+ Sexual Identity Support Group 18+ 

6:00-7:30, first and third Thursdays of every month (both virtual). Contact dempseyyoung@centrelgbtqa.org for more info.

 

LGBTQ+ Gender Identity Support Group 18+

6:00-7:30, second and fourth Thursdays of every month (second of the month is virtual and 4th Thursday is in person). Contact beth@centrelgbtqa.org for the link to join and/or more information or questions.

 

Loved ones support group

Meetings: 7:00-8:00 pm every third Tuesday of the month
Location: Virtual for more information or the link to join lovedones@centrelgbtqa.org

This is a support group for everyone that loves LGBT+ folks (parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent, friend) that would like to build community and support with people that can understand. This is a peer-led support group and we are here to provide and receive support from one another. No one is here in a professional capacity.

 

Here is a reminder of our group guidelines:

  1. Participants must have at least their first name and video turned on. This helps all participants feel safe sharing sensitive information with the group. Previously, this group was conducted in-person and this will also help to best approximate that experience.

  2. Each group is targeted toward specific individuals  as the name of the support group describes. We do not allow observers. Centre LGBT+ believes that this helps all participants feel free to ask questions or express concerns they might not otherwise feel safe doing.

  3. As always, confidentiality is of utmost importance to this group. The information that is shared in group stays in the group, and group members should not share information or names of participants outside of group meetings.

 

 

Social Groups

 

ShoutOUT

ShoutOUT is for youth in grades 5-8/9. The group meets each month on the 1st Sunday of from 1-3 PM, location shared upon registration and will feature activities to learn leadership, advocacy for self and others, community service, and of course plenty of fun and socializing! If you wish your child to join the group please send your contact information along with your child’s name, pronouns, and grade to Cat at info@centrelgbtqa.org You may also reach out to Dempseyyoung@centrelgbtqa.org Cat and Dempsey are ShoutOUT’s facilitators and encourage you to reach out anytime with questions or just to get to know them!

 

BYOQ (Bring Your Own Queer)

An LGBT+ Youth Group (8/9th-12th graders)

Meetings: 3rd Sunday of each month 1-3 PM and alternating Thursday’s 4-6pm. Contact Katie Nurmi, katienurmi@gmail.com or Sandy Hoy-Maruschak, hoymaruschak@gmail.com for times and place or for more information.

 

Spectrum

Spectrum is a group of LGBT+ adults (21-35) that aims to provide a safe space for its members to build support and organize events. Spectrum events are planned collaboratively.

For more information please contact the group’s facilitators Kiley at kpf5095@gmail.com or Frankie Urrutia-Smith at frankie.urrutiasmith@gmail.com

 

Queer Families 

Creating community connections with queer parents and their children and families with queer children by engaging in family-friendly activities in and around Centre County. This group that meets on the last Saturday of each month and events are planned as a group. For more information please contact El at el@centrelgbtqa.org or Danielle at danielle.crowe@gmail.com  

 

Sapphic/Queer Group

1st Wednesday of each month 7-9PM at Webster’s State College

A multigenerational social group for women-loving-women (WLW)-identifying people in the State College area! This group is bi-friendly and trans-friendly and invites folks of all ages to come together and relate through social activities ranging from laidback hangouts like crafting, coffee, or album listening, to hikes, museum visits, dinners, drinks, or local event meetups. If you have any questions or would like to attend the group’s events , please reach out to Michelle Katz michelle_katz@mac.com or Katherine Haar at mok011353@gmail.com We look forward to meeting you!

 

Mental Health Resources

 

The Trevor Project (Serving LGBTQ+ individuals up to age 25)

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

1-866-488-7386 (24/7 Crisis Line)

 

Trans Lifeline

https://translifeline.org/

877-565-8860 (24/7 Crisis Line)

 

Center for Community Resources (formerly CANHelp)

https://ccrinfo.org/

24/7 Walk-in services: 2100 E. College Ave, Suite A (State College, PA)

Support & Referral Helpline (Available 24/7, not a crisis hotline but a "warmline"): 1-855-284-2494

Mobile Crisis Services Available


Centre County Crisis Line (24/7 Crisis Line)

1-800-643-5432

 

CentreHelps (24/7 Crisis Line)

https://www.centrehelps.org/

1-814-237-5855


Centre County MH/ID/EI-D&A

https://centrecountypa.gov/329/MHIDEI---Drug-Alcohol

814-355-6786 (Not a crisis line, available M-F 8:30 am - 5 pm)

 

Dial 988  We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 (online chat available)

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

 

Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741

Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.

 

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564

 

The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743

Both provide telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.

 

The National Runaway Safeline: 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929)

Provides advice and assistance to runaways, including resources, shelter, transportation, assistance in finding counseling, and transitioning back to home life. NRS frontline staff will also act as advocates and mediators if/as needed.

 

The True Colors United: (212) 461-4401

The True Colors Fund is working to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, creating a world in which all young people can be their true selves. True Colors United runs a database of service providers.

 

Self Abuse Finally Ends (S.A.F.E)

Addresses individuals coping with non-suicidal self-injury, including locally-based information, support and therapy referrals

 

2023 Human Resources Guide Find the transportation, housing, food, medical services, and resources that are available to you.

 

Transgender Resources

 

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health

 

The National Center for Transgender Equality

 

Eastern PA Transgender Equity

 

Local Therapists 

(We suggest you do your own research and interview therapists to find the person that’s the best match for you. We cannot endorse particular therapists. The list below includes those that self identify as treating transgender people.)

 

Support Groups and Services

  • Centre LGBT+  Monthly support groups and Social Groups are offered.

  • Persad Center, Pittsburgh
    The second oldest LGBT+ center in the country, Persad offers counseling, youth and senior programming, training & Advocacy and Community gathering spaces. They also have people on staff who work with SAGE making this an excellent resource for the older folks.

  • Group Therapy: Leslie Sullivan, Universal Community Behavioral Health, 888-520-8224

 

Local Trans Friendly Doctors

We know that these doctors are trans friendly and some of them prescribe hormones. We are in no way saying the following doctors are transgender specialists.

  • Dr. Paul Damaske (Grays woods)

  • Dr. Kristen Frank-Dixon (Philipsburg)

 

Gender/Medical Clinics

All ages

Youth

 

Transgender Forums

 

Local Conferences

  • Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference in Philadelphia (Mazzoni Center)

  • Keystone Conference in Harrisburg by TransCentral PA

  • The Mid Atlantic LGBTQA Conference, Bloomsburg, PA

  • The Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference

 

Transgender Related Workshops

 

Hair Removal

Many hair removal places are trans-friendly because trans-patients are consistent long-term customers. Hair removal is the most expensive part of a transition, barring surgery, for a transwoman. Laser only gets the dark hairs (this will make a huge difference though because you can shave and have no blue stubble in the skin), the rest will have to come out by electrolysis. Ask if they have an “Alexandrite laser” – lasers generate specific wavelengths and you must have the optimum wavelength to destroy the hair stem cells.

To fully and permanently get rid of your beard by laser may take 10 or more visits and you should spread these out about 3-4 months apart to be most effective because of the natural hair cycle (they will try to get you to go more often but this is less effective and will cost you more in the long run). Electrolysis can take years. Be sure to only go somewhere that uses the ‘blend’ method or you risk scarring. Since this takes so long, you will want to start hair removal as soon as you commit to a transition so that you’ll be mostly done when you decide to come out.

 

Electrolysis

  • Creekside Electrology, Bellefonte
    (814) 359-6131

  • Yahr electrolysis in Squirrel Hill (near Pittsburgh). Yahr is trans-friendly with about 30% of their business being trans related. There is a surcharge for presurgery genital work.

  • Kysor Electrolysis & Massage in Monroeville (near Pittsburgh). Kysor is trans-friendly with many trans clients. There is no surcharge for genital work.

 

Laser Hair Removal

 

Voice Therapy

Many people choose to participate in voice therapy in order to find a healthy, sustainable voice that is true to their gender identity, and individuality. Voice therapy involves working with pitch (how high or low your voice sounds), resonance (the sound and tone of your voice), inflection/intonation (the rhythm and rise and fall of speech), rate (how fast or slowly you speak), and volume (how loudly you speak). It is recommended that you work with a speech-language pathologist whenever possible to avoid permanent vocal cord damage. If that isn’t an option, there are videos and apps that will help you get started.

 

In person/Video Conference

  • Penn State Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic
    Although their website doesn’t specifically mention voice therapy for trans women, Connie Kossan and her students are experienced and enthusiastically provide professional voice therapy in a safe and effective way. The clinic is available to the general public and operates on a sliding fee scale. Please email Connie Kossan at cik4@psu.edu.

  • Steven Rimke is an Assistant Professor of Voice and Speech at Penn State University, teaching accents, phonetics and vocal production to actors and singers. Over the last two years he has worked in Cincinnati and State College helping the transgender community with their voices. He introduces non-invasive techniques and methods to help his clients transition their voices in an effort to better identify with their identity. Please email Steven directly at str74@psu.edu.

  • Hank McDaniel is a professional actor, and voice coach from Memphis, TN. He teaches Voice and Speech for the BFA in Musical Theater and Acting degrees at Penn State University. Henry also provides private voice work for transgender individuals looking to make changes to their voice. He has a particular interest in helping clients find their vocal identity and will spend time helping you think through what that looks like for you and your transition. For more information, please email Hank directly at ham236@psu.edu.

  • Christie Block at the The New York Speech and Voice lab

  • Temple University's Speech-Language Hearing Center

  • Leah Helou, PhD, CCC-SLP, at the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center, 412-647-2100

 

Online videos and apps*

*Online videos and apps can be useful, but there is really no substitute for an in-person/video conference speech therapist.

 

Two state college folks -- Sami Mendum-Purdy and Alex Petrovnia -- have created the Trans Formations Project, which is a small, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis currently sweeping the United States. Their database is the only resource I am aware of that effectively compiles all information about bills that threaten transgender people, as well as compile full contact information for all representatives relevant to such bill proposals. The Trans Formations Project is committed to compiling this information in a single place in order to shorten the path from information to action on behalf of constituents and empower individuals to make tangible change in the fight for transgender rights. In addition to continuously-updating their database, they are also are investing in writing and educating about these bills and broader transgender issues in the United States. Your donation will allow us to continue funding web-hosting, legislative tracking, and outreach services that can make our mission more accessible and broad-reaching, allowing us to create change, together.

https://www.transformationsproject.org/

and the merch page is https://www.redbubble.com/people/TFPShop/shop

 

Centre LGBTQA in the Press

 

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