LGBTQIA+ Resources

To provide the most helpful information to members of the YSU community, the Office of the Dean of Students does its best to ensure that the following resource descriptions are accurate and up-to-date. If you encounter outdated or missing information, please e-mail dos@ysu.edu.

Sticky notes from National Coming Out Day events — **Sticky notes written by particpants in YSU's National Coming Out Day events**

Check out National Coming Out Day @ YSU (Fall 2022) in this video montage!

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Jones Hall, Suites 1002 & 1003 | Website | 330-941-3522 | Instagram

As people interact with one another, they develop and exchange a diverse set of identities. These identities, including among others, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, religion, varying physical and mental abilities, class, age, education, profession, and regional identity carry socially constructed meaning and value. Each of us brings multiple identities to the organizations and communities of which we are a part, forming a mosaic that allows us to retain our individuality while contributing to collective purposes and achievements. The health and well-being of any society depend on its members appreciating the entire mosaic of which they are apart. We need to actively oppose all discriminatory practices and support organizations that reflect and empower diverse perspectives. YSU seeks to work in collaboration with the larger community of which it is a part to provide leadership in the attainment of these goals and to foster educational, economic, and social opportunity for all citizens in our community.

DEI Logo

Office of Equal Opportunity, Policy Development & Title IX

Suite 312, Tod Hall | Website | 330-941-4629 | dclantz@ysu.edu

If you feel that you are being negatively impacted due to your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Policy Development & Title IX. The Office manages all harassment and discrimination claims for the University that are based on protected identities and can connect you with appropriate resources related to your concern.

YSUnity

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

YSUnity is a student-run, non-profit organization and is currently Youngstown State University's only LGBTQIA+ organization. YSUnity's mission is to promote awareness of issues relating to LGBTQIA+ students; to provide a supportive and welcoming common place for all LGBTQIA+ students and faculty; to create a more welcoming campus for the LGBTQIA+ community through campus activism, education, and events; and to network with other organizations and businesses on and off campus to create a diverse network of support for the benefit of all members of YSUnity and those who wish to take advantage of this network of support.

LGBTQ+ Alumni Association & EMERGENCY FUND

Donate to the Emergency Fund

You are not alone; there is a large network of Penguins who understand the experience of you or a loved one.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students, the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association has worked to establish an emergency fund for current LGBTQ+ students to access in their time of need.Students who feel that they may be in need of this resource should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@ysu.edu for information. There is a direct link to donate to the Fund (see above) through the YSU Foundation. Please note that your donation is specifically for the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund to ensure that it is routed appropriately.

LGBT Alumni Emergency Fund logo

University Name Change Process

Second Floor, Meshel Hall | Website | 330-941-6000 | onestop@ysu.edu

Students can choose to change their name for a variety of reasons and the Penguin Service Center is the office that oversees both legal name changes (reflected on government documents) and Preferred First Name (a name that should be used at the university)
- To Change Legal Name: Students can complete the Student Change of Information Form at the Penguin Service Center. Interested students must submit this form, along with supporting legal documentation of their name change and a valid photo ID. Once all three documents are submitted, the Penguin Service Center will process a name change in Banner. The legal name change will be reflected in all official campus databases.
- To Change Student E-mail Address: When a student submits the Student Change of Information Form to change their legal name, the Penguin Service Center will also ask if they would like to update their student e-mail address to reflect the name change. If so, a Penguin Service Center Counselor will submit a special IT request and the will change occur in a few weeks. A student may contact the Penguin Service Center at onestop@ysu.edu any time their legal name and/or e-mail address does not match their information in Banner.
- To Change Preferred First Name: Students may complete the Student Change of Information Form at the Penguin Service Center. Unlike the process for changing one's legal name, students are only required to submit the form with proof of a valid photo ID. Once these two documents are offered, a preferred first name change will be processed in Banner.
Unfortunately, when a student changes just their preferred first name, the update will only appear on the platforms most frequently used at the University (including Blackboard and Penguin Portal). Some U.S. mail from programs/departments may still include a student's legal name.

Community Resources

Full Spectrum Community Outreach

5060 Youngstown Poland Road , Youngstown, OH 44514 | Website | 234-254-8924

Provides adult peer support to promote social and emotional wellness for all LGBTQIA+ community members, as well as assistance navigating local resources and steps regarding gender transition. Additionally, offers staff-supervised peer groups to provide a social outlet and for emotional support among gender and sexual minority youth (ages 13-24) in the Mahoning Valley.
Information About Full Spectrum Adult and Youth/Teen Social and Support Groups, The Closet of Change, and other initives and events

PFLAG

2201 Goleta Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44504 | Website | youngstownareapflag@gmail.com

Comprised of parents, families, friends, and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of members of the LGBTQIA+ community by offering support to cope with adverse societal issues, education to enlighten the public, and advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal rights.

Compass family & community services

525 Marmion Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502 | 330-782-5664 | info@compassfamily.org | Facebook | YouTube

The mission of Compass Family & Community Services is to help individuals and families in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties build better lives and a stronger community. Services offered include counseling, assistance with drug and alcohol addictions, residential services, workforce development, support for homeless and runaway youth, and programs to address sexual assault and domestic violence.

Equality Ohio

Equality Ohio is a non-profit organization identifies and transforms systems and institutions so LGBTQIA+ Ohioans can fully access legal and lived equality. The organization envisions an Ohio where people are welcome, affirmed, and flourishing.

Local health resources

Akron children's hospital center for gender-affirming medicine

Website | 330-543-8538

Adolescent Medicine at Akron Children's Hospital offers the Center for Gender Affirming Medicine for transgender and LGBTQIA+ youth. the Center includes gender-affirming physicians, a medical assistant, a social worker, a nurse coordinator, mental health therapist, and an endocrinologist. It provides customized, thoughtful, evidence-based care, with tools ranging from mental health therapy to medication to family support. The Center's goals are to help gender-diverse youth feel comfortable exploring their gender identity and improve their overall health. Services provided include pubertal suppression, gender-affirming hormones for older adolescents and young adults, mental health care coordination, well checks/preventive visits, education, and supportive care for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families.

Planned Parenthood Youngstown Health center - Transgender Hormone Therapy

77 E. Midlothian Boulevard, Youngstown, OH 44507 | Website | 330-788-2487 | Book Appointment Online

The Youngstown Health Center offers the following services specifically for clients who need Transgender Hormone Therapy: education, resources, and services referral. At the health center, Transgender Hormone Therapy services are available during business hours, on a walk-in basis, as well as during business hours by appointment. Please contact the Health Center directly for pricing information. Some services may have additional charges for lab and blood work. Payment is expected at time of service, unless other arrangements have previously been made. Medicaid is accepted. If you are uninsured, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance for your procedure. You can confidentially find out if you qualify by calling the Youngstown Health Center.

Equitas Health Youngstown

77067 Tiffany Boulevard, Suite 240, Poland, OH 44514 | Website | 330-333-7117 | Book Appointment Online

Equitas Health provides high-impact HIV/AIDS health navigation and supportive services in Youngstown, Ohio. The Office offers HIV advocacy, HIV testing, PrEP connection, and support groups for people living in Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

COMMUNITY AIDS NETWORK AKRON PRIDE INITIATIVE (CANAPI)

The Community AIDS Network Akron Pride Initiative (CANAPI) offers a variety of programs for the LGBTQIA+ community, including housing assistance, HIV testing and prevention, and nutritional assistance and education. CANAPI strives to promote the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and persons at risk and/or affected by HIV through education, support services, quality housing, and advocacy. Through education, outreach, advocacy, and support services, CANAPI works to build a safer, more inclusive community, free from shame and stigma.

national resources

The Trevor Project

866-488-7386 (Trevor Lifeline) - the only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQIA+ young people (ages 13-24)
TrevorChat - a free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQIA+ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors; available daily from 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm ET
TrevorText - a free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQIA+ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention; available Monday through Friday between 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm ET
Trevor Support Center - a site where LGBTQIA+ youth and allies can find answers to FAQs and explore resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and more.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Talkline (All ages)

Website | 888-843-4564 | help@LGBThotline.org

The LGBT National Talkline provides free and confidential peer support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Peer support is offered by highly trained volunteers, who identify somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, from all ages, walks of life, and from all over the United States. Services are offered via telephone, online private one-to-one chat, and email, as well as through factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Youth Talkline (Ages 25 & Younger)

Website | 800-246-7743 | help@LGBThotline.org

The LGBT National Youth Talkline provides free and confidential peer support for the LGBTQIA+ community, ages 25 and younger. Peer support is offered via telephone, online private one-to-one chat, and email, as well as through factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. The LGBT National Youth Talkline provides a safe space where young callers can speak to trained volunteers about many different concerns including, but not limited to, coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, isolation, anxiety at school, family issues, HIV/AIDS, safer sex information, suicide, and much more.

Trans lifeline

Website | 877-565-8860 | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Trans Lifeline connects trans people to community support and resources to survive and thrive.

National alliance on mental illness (NAMI - LGBTQIA+)

Website | E-mail | 800-950-6264 | Text "NAMI" to 741741 | Helpline Chat

The LGBTQIA+ community represents a diverse range of identities and expressions of gender and sexual orientation. In addition to these identities, members of the community are diverse in terms of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and socioeconomic class. This intersectionality — the combined and overlapping aspects of a person's identity — brings a diversity of thought, perspective, understanding, and experience. This complexity is important to understand as a unique and valuable aspect of the LGBTQIA+ community that can result in a strong sense of pride and resiliency. While belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community can be a source of strength, it also brings unique challenges. For those who identify as LGBTQIA+, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health. Although the full range of LGBTQIA+ identities is not commonly included in large-scale studies of mental health, there is strong evidence from recent research that members of this community are at a higher risk for experiencing mental health conditions — especially depression and anxiety disorders.

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