Pride of Rural Virginia

 

Pride of Rural Virginia is a grant-funded initiative to address LGBTQIA+ health & healthcare priorities in rural areas across Virginia. Our goal is to promote healthcare settings which provide safe and affirming environments and offer training and resources to providers who need more guidance on welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

 

How Was Your Last Healthcare Experience?

The PRVider Portal is an anonymous, safe space to share your personal experiences with healthcare providers. The more information we receive from the community, the better we can create and disseminate the tools needed to address current and future health needs for LGBTQIA+ persons in rural Virginia.

 

News & Media

 

 

Resources

 

RESOURCES FOR YOUTH

State

  • Virginia Home for Boys and Girls – Nonprofit organization that has been serving youth in crisis since 1846. Provides transitional living services, specialized education, and therapeutic resources to youth with emotional and behavioral health concerns.
  • Youth MOVE Virginia Support Groups – free, activity-based, and led by trained young adults with lived experience. Youth support groups serve to provide a safe space for youth to have discussions, activities, and initiative about their mental health.
  • Side by Side Virtual Support Groups – Any LGBTQ+ youth that meets identity & age requirements for a particular group is welcomed to join as long as they live in Virginia.
  • The Pride Liberation Project – the only student-led organization advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights in Virginia. Works to create empowering schools and communities for all LGBTQIA+ students.
  • MENTOR Virginia – MENTOR Virginia partners with youth mentoring programs across the state to build quality mentoring relationships that empower, elevate, and encourage young people.
  • He, She, Ze, and We – Supports Transgender and Nonbinary people of all ages by empowering their families, allies, and communities to create life-saving, inclusive environments.
  • Little SMYAL – group designed for LGBTQ youth ages 6-12 to find a safe space to hang out and meet new people, access resources, and gain support. Virtual Play Dates & SMYALtopia Zoom meetings, which feature a digital world where youth can move around, explore, and interact with others.
  • SMYAL Youth – virtual and in-person programs for ages 13-24 which provide supportive and affirming spaces where queer and trans youth can build community, find support, and be themselves.

National

RESOURCES FOR VIRGINIA COLLEGE STUDENTS

RESOURCES FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

STATE RESOURCES

Southwest Virginia

Providers:

Southside Virginia

Providers:

Northwest Virginia

Providers:

Central Virginia

  • Nationz Foundation – provides education on HIV prevention, inspires the community to take responsibility for their health and wellness, and works towards a more inclusive Central Virginia for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Eastern Virginia

NATIONAL RESOURCES

HOTLINES

  • LGBT National Senior Hotline: (888) 234-7243
  • Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
  • TrevorLifeline for young people: (866) 488-7386
  • TrevorText for young people: Text “START” to 678678
Partners

Special thanks to the Virginia Department of Health, State Office of Rural Health for their assistance with this project.

 

This project is funded through a federal grant and is being offered at no charge to participants.

 

 

Want To Get Involved?

for more information on joining the Pride of Rural Virginia initiative, please contact:

Meghan Stump
meghan@vhra.org