LGBTQ HEALTH RESOURCES

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people often experience significant obstacles in obtaining health care and health coverage, and our state’s healthcare system is no exception. In fact, in Tennessee, the LGBTQ community faces a range of barriers to access while also lacking critical protections against discrimination. If you are having problems with your TennCare or other public benefits programs applications or have been denied due to discrimination, call us for free assistance: 615-255-0331. 

To learn more about making Tennessee healthcare more equitable, visit our Health Equity webpage here. At the bottom of that page, you can also find resources for LGBTQ health services and other health related information.

WHERE CAN I GET LGBTQ HEALTHCARE ASSISTANCE?

There are many LGBTQ-friendly and LGBTQ-focused health services providers and advocacy organizations in Tennessee. Some of these organizations are lsited by region below. Click the drop down buttons to see more.

Statewide and National Organizations for LGBTQ People

GaL-AA (Gays and Lesbians in AA) was established to serve and have the involvement of lesbians, gay men, and others in Alcoholics Anonymous, regardless of how they choose to identify themselves. In selecting the name, careful consideration was given to a variety of combinations. While the name only directly reflects gays and lesbians, we embrace all LGBT+ members of the AA fellowship.

Website: http://gal-aa.org/

Included Health is the first comprehensive health platform partnering with employers to connect LGBTQ+ members to culturally competent, quality providers who understand the unique needs of the community.

Website: https://www.includedhealth.com/

The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.

Website: https://itgetsbetter.org/

OutCare is the nation’s first comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare offering provider and healthcare resource directories, mentorship, medical education reform, and cultural competency training. OutCare’s most notable endeavor, the OutList, is an online, nationwide directory of healthcare providers who identify as culturally competent in the care of the LGBTQ+ community.

Website: https://www.outcarehealth.org/

Rescuing Health financially aids individuals who do not qualify for any other type of public or private healthcare assistance in obtaining specific health treatments or surgeries.

Website: https://www.rescuinghealth.org/

The TTF is a work group comprised of transgender and gender-variant individuals representing each of the five HIV Prevention regions of Tennessee. The ultimate goals of this body are to prevent transgender individuals from acquiring HIV, increase access to care and improve health outcomes for transgender people who are living with HIV, and reduce HIV-related health disparities for transgender communities. Services offered include a Trans Resource Guide, where health-related resources at trans-affirming locations can be found across the state of Tennessee, as well as a webcast series on trans health-related topics.

Website: https://www.hivtn.net/ttf

Trans in the South: A Directory of Trans-Affirming Health & Legal Service Providers is a directory of more than 400 Southern health service providers who are trans-affirming.

Website: https://southernequality.org/resources/transinthesouth/#provider-map

Organizations for LGBTQ People in West Tennessee

CHOICES provides comprehensive, non-judgmental sexual and reproductive health services, including services for LGBTQ people.

Website: https://memphischoices.org/lgbtq-health-services/

Phone: 901-274-3550

Location: 1203 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38104

Friends for Life strives to address the roots of need—including stigma and inequality—to improve health and wellness for everyone we serve. Their goal is to eliminate new transmissions of HIV in Memphis and the Mid-South and empower those living with HIV to become their healthiest, happiest selves.

Website: https://www.fflmemphis.org/

Phone: 901-272-0855

Location: 43 N. Cleveland Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38104

OUTMemphis provides services to support LGBTQ issues and individuals to become a part of every aspect of civic life for every demographic. They host social support groups, peer-led projects, and social activities specific to trans men and women of color, seniors, parents of queer youth, Latina and Latino individuals, men of color, and every intersection of the LGBTQ community and our allies.

Website: https://www.outmemphis.org/

Phone: (901) 278-6422

Location: Community Center – 892 S Cooper St; Admin/Donation Center – 832 Virginia Run Cove; Youth Emergency Center – 2055 Southern Avenue

Positively Living & Choice Health Network operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving East Tennessee’s most vulnerable populations: nearly 5,000 individuals and families struggling to survive the challenges created by HIV, homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and disabilities. Services provided include a medical clinic with disease testing, treatment, and prevention along with a full service pharmacy, client services which includes therapy and mental health, food, housing, and transportation support, and a harm reduction program which offers a syringe services exchange, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, and resources for our neighbors who use substances.

Website: https://choicehealthnetwork.org/positively-living/

Phone: 901-522-5341

Location: 1331 Union Avenue Suite 750H, Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Organizations for LGBTQ People in Middle Tennessee

Nashville CARES, Street Works and an independent contractor providing medical services have partnered to provide a one stop shop Health & Wellness Community Center for Same Gender Loving Men of Color and Gay / Bisexual Men. Support services include a drop-in & event space with free WiFI, evening programming, HIV & STI testing, prevention education, medical care, PrEP, volunteer opportunities and other integrated activities.

Website: https://www.myhousenashville.org/

Phone: 615-499-7406

Location: 442 Metroplex Drive, Building D Nashville, TN 37211

Nashville Cares’s mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee. They work to achieve this through education, advocacy and support for those at risk for or living with HIV.

Website: https://www.nashvillecares.org/

Phone: (615) 259-4866

Location: 633 Thompson Ln., Nashville, Tennessee 37204

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.

Crossville/Cumberland

Franklin

Murfreesboro

Nashville

Tullahoma

Positively Living & Choice Health Network serves nearly 5,000 individuals and families struggling to survive the challenges created by HIV, homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and disabilities. Services provided include a medical clinic with disease testing, treatment, and prevention along with a full service pharmacy, client services which includes therapy and mental health, food, housing, and transportation support, and a harm reduction program which offers a syringe services exchange, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, and resources for our neighbors who use substances.

Website: https://choicehealthnetwork.org/positively-living/

Phone: 931-283-1544

Location: 1100 England Dr., Cookeville, Tennessee 38501

Sisters United’s goal is to create a platform for Lesbian Women of Color to gather information, voice & advocate needs, receive referral and support services, as well as to promote health education awareness.

Website: http://www.brothersunited.com/sistersunited.htm

Phone: (615) 974-2832

Street Works is one of Tennessee’s leading HIV service organizations, providing free, confidential HIV testing and supportive services to persons living with HIV disease in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area since 1997. Street Works provides the following services: prevention, education, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, Medical Case Management, Housing Case Management, Nutritional Services, Emergency Financial Assistance and Early Intervention Services. Street Works Prevention Staff work the streets at night to prevent and reduce HIV disease and STIs on the inner city streets of Nashville.

Website: http://streetworks.org/

Phone: (615) 259-7676

Location: 1225 9th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208

Young Brothers United’s mission is to “uplift a generation of Young African-American Same Gender Loving Males in Nashville through professional & personal development while also providing HIV/AIDS prevention outreach, education and awareness to youth between the ages of 13-24.”

Website: http://www.brothersunited.com/youngbu.htm

Phone: 615-259-4866

Location: 501 Brick Church Park Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37207

Organizations for LGBTQ People in East Tennessee

Appalachian OUTreach seeks to empower, connect, & support the East Tennessee lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ+) people through the provision of safe & healthy, inclusively welcoming & affirming programs & respect for partnerships, which promote community building, resource development, & education for all.

Website: https://appalachianoutreach.org/

Phone: 865-268-9098‬

Positively Living & Choice Health Network serves nearly 5,000 individuals and families struggling to survive the challenges created by HIV, homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and disabilities. Services provided include a medical clinic with disease testing, treatment, and prevention along with a full service pharmacy, client services which includes therapy and mental health, food, housing, and transportation support, and a harm reduction program which offers a syringe services exchange, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, and resources for our neighbors who use substances.

Knoxville

Chattanooga

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.

Athens

Chattanooga

Johnson City

Maryville

  • Phone: (865) 368-6665

Oak Ridge

HELPFUL HOTLINES

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://www.crisistextline.org/ Other ways to contact the hotline (US and Canada): Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 
  • Anti-Hunger Hotline, call: 1-866-3-HUNGRY or text 97779 to be connected to the closest food resource to you
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has an online resource containing an archive of hotlines, LGBTQ advocacy organization pages, and tips for suicide prevention and mental health mindfulness here. 
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential suicide prevention services 24/7. Number to call: 1-800-273-8255 
  • The Trevor Project is a confidential lifeline that provides suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth 24/7. Number to call: 1-866-488-7386 
  • National Help Center’s LGBT National Youth Talkline provides confidential and online one-to-one chat, telephone, and email support to LGBTQ youth. Number to call: 800-246-7743