LGBTQ+ young people and their families

This page gives you advice about what support is available for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQ+) young people and their families.

The 4U Youth Group exists in the city to support young people between the ages of 13 and 19-years-old who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender variant or who are questioning their gender identity/sexuality.

We have an experienced, skilled youth team who offer a weekly youth group every Tuesday 6.00pm – 9.00pm. We meet in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Each week we run activities which are designed to help to improve self-esteem, give young people a social outlet in which to make new friends and to provide information to support them as they move into adulthood.

To access 4U, the young person will first need to have a conversation with our Specialist Support Worker to establish if 4U is the right group for them, or whether alternative support would be more suitable. To arrange time to speak with the team, email lgbtyoungpeople@portsmouthcc.gov.uk with the appropriate contact details of the young person, parent or their support worker.

The Youth Group space has step-free access and an accessible toilet, although some of the hallways are quite narrow. If you have any questions about access, please contact us for more information and we will be happy to help.

LGBT History Month takes place annually in February, and is a month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. It aims to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, the LGBTQ+ community while celebrating its achievement and diversity, and increasing the visibility of the community.

You can read more about LGBT History on the following sites:

• Young Stonewall – 10 events from LGBT history
• The British Library – A short history of LGBT rights in the UK
• English Heritage – Stories of England’s LGBTQ past
• Kings College London – Video – History of LGBT rights in the UK: A long road to equality

And you might find the following resources useful:

• LGBT+ History Month – General Resources
• LGBT+ History Month – 2021 LGBT History Month resources
• The Proud Trust – LGBT+ History Month resources
• Stonewall – LGBT History Month packs
• Teachwire – 10 great teaching resources for February
• TED – Love is love – seven personal stories of love and commitment in the LGBTQ community

The following links are useful for young people, parents and professionals:

• Allsorts – Allsorts support LGBTQ young people in Brighton. They have a collection of really useful resources for professionals, parents and young people.
• The Tavistock Gender Identity Development service – The only clinic in the country for children and young people aged under 18 who are trans, gender variant or exploring their gender identity.
• Gendered Intelligence – Work with trans / gender variant young people nationally. They run youth groups in London, Leeds and Bristol and regular projects, as well as running a parents’ group. GI also work with schools and other organisations to improve knowledge and understanding around gender identity.
• Y Services – Support for LGBT young people in Havant, Fareham and Gosport.
• Young Stonewall – An LGBT rights charity, working with policy-makers and organisations to improve equality and the lives of LGBT people in the UK and abroad.
• Equality and human rights – Information on protections for LGB and Trans people under the Equality Act 2010.
• Changing your name – Government advice on changing your name legally
• Kroma – Support for LGBTQ adults (over 18) in Portsmouth

For parents

• Chrysalis – Chrysalis are based in Southampton and support trans adults over the age of 18. But they can offer support to parents of trans children no matter what age your child.
  
  

For professionals

• LGBT youth in care – Information for professionals and carers on how to support LGBT young people in care.