LGBTQIA+ caregivers and care recipients may experience unique challenges related to health care access, discrimination, social isolation, legal recognition, family dynamics, and finding affirming services and supports. Many individuals within LGBTQIA+ communities also rely on chosen family, friends, partners, and community networks for caregiving and support across the lifespan.
Whether you are caring for a partner, spouse, friend, parent, child, or member of your chosen family, affirming resources and supportive communities can make a meaningful difference. In Wisconsin, available programs and services may vary depending on age, disability, caregiving relationship, geographic location, and access to inclusive care providers and organizations.
This page provides national, state, and local resources for LGBTQIA+ caregivers and care recipients, including information on caregiver support, aging resources, mental health services, advocacy organizations, affirming health care, support groups, and community programs designed to strengthen and support LGBTQIA+ individuals and families.
10 Tips for Finding LGBT Affirming Services
It is important to find service providers who understand LGBT issues and can be trusted to provide you with competent, respectful care.
DCF - LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Hub
Affirming and supporting children, youth, and families with LGBTQIA2S+ identities is vital. Child welfare professionals, agencies, and community organizations should consider and address individualized needs, no matter the service setting, by following best practices and referring families to programs designed to improve outcomes for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.
Disability Belongs
Disability Belongs provides disability inclusion and advocacy resources with attention to intersectional issues affecting LGBTQIA+ people with disabilities, including accessibility, representation, healthcare equity, and civil rights protections.
Diverse Elders Coalition
We advocate for the unique needs of our communities.
Family Caregiver Alliance - Special Concerns of LGBTQ+ Caregivers
As Americans live longer, greater attention is being paid to the concerns facing aging adults and caregivers.
While many issues are the same for all older adults and those who care for them, some unique considerations arise for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people dealing with aging.
LGBTQ Caregiver Center
We provide advocacy, education, and resources to empower LGBTQ caregivers and those who care for LGBTQ people to improve their health and well-being.
PFLAG and SAGE - Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Grandchild
Grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren's lives, serving as a soft spot to land on during difficult times. Yet, when a grandchild comes out as LGBTQ+, grandparents might be among the last to know. This isn’t because that relationship is less important, however, but sometimes because an LGBTQ+ young person might be fearful of losing that close relationship and unconditional love, which means so much to them.
SAGE - Aging While LGBTQ+
Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
Safe Zone Project
The Safe Zone Project is a free online resource for powerful, effective LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops.
The Trevor Project - Supporting LGBTQ Young People with Disabilities
Disabled people are part of the LGBTQ community. Because of the intersections of their identities, LGBTQ young people with disabilities have distinct lived experiences. However, there is very little information available about how to support LGBTQ young people with disabilities. This guide will help inform you on how to best support the LGBTQ young people in your life with disabilities and better understand the things that impact them.
