LGBTQIA+ Resources

Fandom is a diverse place, and we want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and welcome.

Recently we've been looking at our LGBTQIA+ community and striving to provide the right environment for people of all sexualities and gender identities.

Many of the staff at Fandom are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, and we know many of you are, too. So we ask that everyone follows a few simple rules to make Fandom a safe space for everyone.

• Be inclusive and open to others.
• Don't use slurs or homophobic, transphobic (including exorsexism), aphobic or biphobic language, even if it's not directed at anyone in particular.
• Treat people as individuals; don’t expect a single person or their experiences to represent an entire community.
• Respect a person’s identity and use the terms that someone uses for themselves by mirroring their language.
• In articles, use the pronouns and gender identity that the character uses for themselves.
  • If the character says "I am a woman", use that in the article - even if another character calls her a man.
• Don't use the word "gay" as an insult.
• Use the correct pronouns when you know them. And if you don't know, ask! To avoid misgendering someone, use they/them/theirs pronouns until you have the opportunity to ask them.
• Don’t assume people’s pronouns. Even if you are correct, this can send a harmful message that you have to look or act a specific way to be seen as a certain gender.
• Don't use deadnames, both for other users and the people/characters you write about.
  • For articles, you can make a redirect page for the deadname. That will ensure that people looking for the character can easily find them under either name.
• Speak up- if you see something offensive, report it to admins or Special:Contact
• Speak to the person before advocating for them. Never out someone’s orientation or gender identity.

Additional guidelines & suggestions regarding how to properly discuss gender identity in content can be found here.

Resources

There are many wonderful resources out there for those who need accepting and genuine help for issues around sexuality and gender.. While the following list is not exhaustive, here are some resources we are happy to recommend

It Gets Better

Lists resources in 40+ countries for LGBTQIA+ individuals

LGBT National Hotline

• Resources for all ages giving a safe and confidential space to discuss any issues. For example: coming out, gender and/or sexuality identities, safer sex, suicide, and more.
• Monday thru Friday from 1PM to 9PM PST; Saturday from 9am to 2pm PST
• Number: 888-843-4564

LGBT National Youth Hotline (ages 25 and under)

• Free and Confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger.
• Mondays to Fridays from 1 pm – 9 pm PST; Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm PST
• Number: 800-246-7743

PFLAG

• Offers resources and support groups for LGBTQIA+ people, their families and allies.

Pride Institute LGBTQ Dependency

• Substance Dependency Organization
• Number: (800)-547-7433

Trans Health Clinic

• Provides lists for United States, Canada and England Trans Health Clinics

Trans Legal Services Network

• Assistance with name and gender change processes and any other legal issues

Trans Lifeline

• A 24/7 helpline for transgender people with transpeople giving peer-to-peer support.
• US (877) 565-8860
• CAN (877) 330-6366

Trans Women of Color Collective

• Offers community funding for wellness, survival, and education for trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary People of Color.

Trevor Project

• Resources for LGBTA+ people under 25 in crisis
• Open 24 hours
• Number: (866)-488-7386

True Colors United

• Focuses on supporting homeless youth. They have a hotline but you can also reach out to them for other resources.
• Number: (212)-461-4401