LGBTQIA+ Resources

Evanston Care Network

Enter your zip code, and then start typing “LGBTQ” in the search bar to pull up the LGBTQ+ tag for services in your area.

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)

Evanston Public Library partners with Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) as a Legal Self-Help Center. A legal self-help center is a place where you can learn about the law, your legal rights, and how to go to court.  Search “LGBTQ” on the ILAO page for forms and information specific to the LGBTQIA+ community, including legal name changes, emancipation, power of attorney for finances or health care, fair housing, and hate crime basics.

Rainbow Railroad

Rainbow Railroad helps to find pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ people who are experiencing state-sponsored violence, persecution and discrimination by providing emergency travel support and other services.  Services include:

– Help determining effective routes to safety
– Assistance finding pre-travel and logistical support
– Funds for airfare, visa and passport fees
– Post-arrival support

Appointments for Legal Information

Evanston Public Library partners with Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) as a Legal Self-Help Center. Now, patrons can make a free, online appointment with our legal self-help navigator! Learn about the law, your legal rights, and how to go to court.  Click on the Appointments link for more information.

Legal Information Reference Center

Legal Information Reference Center offers a wide selection of essential state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms that may be customized for the most common legal procedures.  This includes forms and information packages for name changes and power of attorney for finances or health care.

Evanston Community Organizations Directory
See below for links to organizations in the Evanston Community Directory with a focus on LGBTQIA+ individuals, or search using the LGBTQIA+ tag from the directory itself.

Website Address
Address
Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021, Evanston, IL
60204
Description

Affirmation: United Methodist is a non-profit, all-volunteer, national activist caucus of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and their family and friends, that advocates full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in all areas and levels of the United Methodist Church.

Organization Name
Address
1515 E 52nd Place
Chicago, IL
60615
Phone Number
(872) 333-5199
Description

Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, and designed to create and provide affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ+ community of Chicago. Due to discrimination and harassment, many LGBTQ+ people struggle to obtain resources. BSA provides educational and access-based programming to provide community members with what is needed to survive and thrive. All programming, services, and resources are intended for BIPOC trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. BSA also supports individuals and organizations in building networks and strategies. Our trainings and workshops are intergenerational and intersectional, for people of all ages interested in anti-oppression and movement building.

Access the BSA Trans Resource List for wellness, housing, community and support, food and nutrition, employment, and health resources in the area.

Organization Name
Website Address
Address
4025 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL
60613
Contact Email
Phone Number
773.388.1600
Fax
Admin Fax: 773.388.8887 Medical Fax: 773.388.8936
Description

Howard Brown Health Center exists to eliminate the disparities in health care experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness.  Howard Brown provides the following:

Health Services:
Aging Services
Alternative Insemination (AI) Program
Broadway Youth Center
COVID-19 Services
Dental Services
Insurance Enrollment Assistance
Men’s Health
OB/GYN Services
Pediatric Services
Primary Care
Trans & Nonbinary Health Women’s Health

HIV/AIDS Services:
Case Management
Community Testing Sites & Outreach Services
Howard Brown Health Express Linkage To Care
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Services for HIV+ Women and Youth
Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic

Counseling:
Behavioral Health
GED Program
In Power: The Sexual Harm Response Program
Intimate Partner Violence
Smoking Cessation
Substance Use & Abuse
Support Groups and Workshops

Online contact form:  https://howardbrown.org/contact-us/

Organization Name
Address
180 N. Michigan Ave.
Suite 1830
Chicago, IL 60601

5340 N. Clark St.
Suite 212
Chicago, IL 60640
60601/60640
Phone Number
773.750.3505
Fax
312-263-1933
Description

We are committed to providing an affirming therapeutic environment for the LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Intersex) population and beyond that supports the development of a strong professional relationship between clients and their therapists. The safety and strength clients draw from that solid therapeutic relationship allows them to feel more freedom to examine, embrace, and express who they really are.

IntraSpectrum literally means “the spectrum within” – IntraSpectrum counselors serve as guides and companions in the process of exploring with our clients their unique internal spectrum of identities, thoughts, feelings and desires. In our work together, we endeavor to help you become more you.

Intake form: https://intraspectrum-chicago.com/get-support/
Contact form: https://intraspectrum-chicago.com/talk/

Address
65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL
60601-7296
Contact Person
Brian J. Richardson, Regional Director
Phone Number
312-663-4413
Fax
312-663-4307
Parent Organization
Description

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
The Midwest Regional Office accepts Help Desk calls at any time during business hours (M-F 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.).Lambda Legal's Help Desk staff respond directly to those who are seeking legal information and assistance with discrimination related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and HIV status.

Website Address
Address
17 N. State St., Suite 900
Chicago IL
60602
Phone Number
312-427-8990
Fax
312-427-8419
Description

At Legal Council, our programs serve individuals and families facing barriers due to chronic, disabling, and stigmatizing health and social conditions. All of our work combines direct representation, education, and advocacy across the city, state, and nation.

Individual Legal Representation:  We provide free, expert legal assistance to low income individuals. We help clients with the following issues:

Child health | Confidentiality & testing | Debt collection | Discrimination | Education plans | Employment | Future planning | Health screenings | Immigration | Insurance | Lead poisoning | Public benefits and much more. Get help now.

EDUCATION AND TRAININGS
In addition to legal counsel and representation to clients in need, our multilingual staff offers free training, technical assistance, and educational programs to service providers, case managers, social workers, agency administrators, physicians, attorneys, educators, student groups, and members of the general public.

If you would like to request a training or technical assistance for your group (in English or Spanish), contact our main office at 312-427-8990 or submit a request. Our staff will be happy to work with you to develop tools that best meet the needs and interests of your group.

Public Notes

Formerly AIDS Legal Council of Chicago. 

Address
208 S. La Salle Street, Suite 1300 , Chicago IL
60604
Phone Number
(312) 660-1370
Description

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is dedicated to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
NIJC provides pro bono legal services to these groups and advocates for policy reform and broad-based systemic change.  Representation is limited to low-income immigrants.

NIJC provides free legal information at Chicago Immigration Court Helpdesk Monday-Thursday. (525 W Van Buren St #500, Chicago, IL 60607).  Group Information Sessions take place in the waiting area of the Chicago Immigration Court on Monday through Thursday at 8:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. Individual Information Sessions take place in the pro bono room at the Chicago Immigration Court on Monday through Thursday at 9-11:45 a.m. & 1-3 p.m.

Languages: Spanish and French (Español, Français)
Detained Adults: Call on Tuesdays from 11am – 2pm CT
Telephone for detainees: 312-583-9721, Telephone for family members calling about a detainee: 773-672-6599
LGBT Individuals (detained and non-detained): Call on Wednesdays or Fridays from 10am – 12pm CT Telephone: 773-672-6551
Detention facility speed dial code: 565

 

Organization Name
Address
PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois, P.O. Box 734, Elmhurst, IL
60126
Phone Number
Helpline: 630-415-0622
Parent Organization
Description

PFLAG is an organization of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies who work together to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people. It supports families, educates
allies, and advocates for equality through its network of supporters, members, and chapters across the country.

PFLAG's Evanston Chapter meetings are held virtually on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

PFLAG also has a Deerfield Chapter.
Deerfield Chapter meetings are held the second Thursday of the month at 7:15 p.m. at Congregation BJBE.

Organization Name
Address
3080 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL
60026
Contact Person
Lizzy Appleby
Phone Number
847.724.2620 x121
Description

The Pride Youth Program offers social, support, and leadership programming for more than 250 LGBTQ+ youth ages 4-24 and their families from across Chicago’s northern suburbs. Our prideCONNECT, prideSUPPORT, and prideLEAD programs offer a variety of opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender youth, and youth who are questioning their sexual and/or gender identities to build relationships, get support, and lead their communities. The Pride Youth Program is guided by our core values: inclusion, hope, non-punitive accountability, partnership, and responsiveness.

Upcoming events and crisis resources available here.

Organization Name
Website Address
Address
Adler University
17 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL
60602
Contact Email
Phone Number
312-662-4000
Fax
312-662-4099
Description

Welcome to the newly designed and branded Chicagoland LGBT Services Directory - now Queery. Queery is easier to use, packed with more features, new service listings, and will soon be an app for download to use on the go. Come back often as we update services regularly. Service categories include Basic Needs, Mental Health, Legal, Substance Use, Social, Health, Networks, and In Crisis.

Website Address
Address
5537 N. Broadway St. Chicago, IL
60640
Contact Email
Phone Number
773-989-9400
Fax
773-989-9494
Description

TPAN provides healthcare and empowers people affected by HIV and health disparities. Our programs and services include peer-led programming, youth services, mental health and group therapy and counseling, education, patient/client advocacy, and services for older adults. We provide care to a broad community of people affected by HIV and health challenges, including LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and vulnerable individuals from across the Chicago metropolitan area.

Hours of operation:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Website Address
Address
203 N LaSalle, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL
60601
Contact Email
Phone Number
(312) 558-1472
Description

We provide free, life and gender-affirming legal services to everyone on the gender spectrum regardless of financial status. We especially prioritize folks who are low-income and street-based transgender and gender-nonconforming people targeted by the criminal legal system.

We create and distribute information, resources, and training curriculum for trans and gender non-conforming community members. We also provide workshops for organizations and groups looking to learn more about allyship for the trans, sex worker, and incarcerated communities.

We work when it’s best for our clients and best for our staff.

Official hours:

M/T/W/TH/F: 9:30am-5:30pm

S/Sat: Closed

Organization Name
Address
PO Box 70976
Oakland, CA
94612-0976
Contact Email
Phone Number
510.587.9696; Collect line for people in prison and detention: 510.380.8229
Description

Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.

From employment and housing discrimination to criminalization and violence, transgender people are often forced to engage with a legal system that wasn’t built for us. Even something as basic as correcting our identity documents to reflect who we truly are can be a confusing, overwhelming, and isolating process.

By maintaining a robust collection of resources and publications, TLC does our best to guide you through some of the more common legal challenges and questions transgender people encounter. If you can’t find an answer in our publications, our Legal Help Desk is here to respond to your questions and refer you to other resources and members of our pro bono network for support.

Visit Legal Help Desk form to contact via internet: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/resources

Address
1911 Church St., Evanston, IL 60202
60202
Contact Person
Maggie Blinn DiNovi, Executive Director
Contact Email
Phone Number
847-866-1200 ext. 244
Fax
847-866-9143
Description

Youth have vastly different opportunity sets based on their income, race, culture, gender identity, and sexual orientation. These gaps in opportunity prevent many youth from realizing their fullest potential.

We utilize three strategies — Advance, Build, and Catalyze — to close this opportunity gap and prepare youth for post-secondary and life success. Across these strategies, we seek to build deep, caring relationships with youth, their families, and the community institutions around them.  For all youth, Y.O.U. provides both academic support and enrichment programming. Academic support includes support with independent learning assignments, tutoring, goal setting, and social-emotional check-ins. Current enrichment programming includes a focus on team building, literacy, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), and social justice. All of our clinical and outreach services, including counseling, case management, and our 24/7 youth housing hotline, have continued without interruption, primarily through virtual and telehealth models.

If you are under 22 and experiencing a housing-related crisis, please call 847.866.1200 x 1

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

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