LGBTQ+ RESOURCES

LGBTQ+ RESOURCES IN CHAMPAIGN, URBANA, AND MATTOON, ILLINOIS.

Within our community, we are fortunate to have various organizations, support groups, and other resources that offer a place to connect. The following are resources for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and their families. The great thing about resources in our community is that they are accommodating – we have centers that provide education, health services, therapy services, and more whether online, over the phone, or in person. Elliott Counseling Group provides therapy services with counselors with expertise in supporting those within the LGBTQ+ community and their families.

CRISIS HOTLINES

The Trevor LIfeline

Helpline for LGBTQ Youth
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Chat: thetrevorproject.org (daily 2pm-9pm)
Text: 1-202-304-1200 (M-F 2pm-9pm)

The Trans LIfeline

Helpline specifically for trans youth & staffed by trans individuals
Call:1-877-565-8860
Info: translifeline.org

State of Illinois AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline

Call: 1-800-AID-AIDS
1-800-782-0423 (TTY)
8 am to 10 pm every day
773-661-0910 (HIV Testing & Prevention Program)

Center on Halsted LGBTQ Violence Resource Line

Call: (773) 871-2273

THE UP (UNITING PRIDE) CENTER OF CHAMIAGN COUNTY

The UP (Uniting Pride) Center of Champaign County

A multi-service agency, for youth and adults, with a purpose to support and promote human care, education, and community-building activities directed at furthering the well-being and development of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and ally community of Champaign County.

Link to their website.

“Rainbow Room” Located in
the Lower Level of the
University YMCA
1001 S. Wright St.
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 992-0095

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The mission of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is to foster an environment that is open, safe, and inclusive for people of all sexualities and gender identities. The Center is a resource not only for the LGBT community but for the entire University of Illinois community. The LGBT Resource Center seeks to help in the efforts to address homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and heterosexist attitudes and beliefs on the campus, and to work to make the environment safe and affirming for all students, faculty, staff, and LGBT students, faculty, and staff at the University of Illinois in particular.

Link to their website.

Room 323 (3rd Floor) of the Illini Union
1401 W. Green Street
(217) 244-8863
[email protected]

Link to their Facebook page.

 

UPARENT

 

A support, social, and educational group for parents of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming children. This is a welcoming space for any parent or guardian who wants to learn more about how to support and understand their children.

Parents and guardians of children of any age are welcome.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact: Staci Poe

Email: [email protected]

DATE & TIME

1st Thursday of every month

6:00pm-7:30pm

LOCATION

Urbana Free Library
210 W Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801

CHAMPAIGN URBANA PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT

LGBT-friendly sexual health services. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District offers free, anonymous HIV testing and counseling, prevention services for HIV/STD’s, safer sex information and materials. Men who have sex with men and identify as such may qualify for the 20-minute rapid HIV test. Call for an appointment. Free condoms, lubricant and other safer sex items are available as well as a LGBT-friendly lending library.

Link to their website.

201 W Kenyon Rd, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 352-7961

 

 

GalUP

 

A women’s group that meets to discuss unique challenges faced by women in the LGBTQ+ community. GalUP is inclusive of all female-bodies women, transgender women, or female-presenting non-binary individuals.

CONTACT INFORMATION

(217) 922-0095
[email protected]

DATE & TIME

Last Wednesday of every mo.

6:00pm-7:30pm

LOCATION

Champaign Public Library
200 W. Green St.
Champaign, IL 61820

TALK IT UP

A peer-run LGBTQ support and social group for middle and high school youth. LGBTQ youth can expect an atmosphere of acceptance and support while meeting other LGBTQ youth. The group is co-facilitated by two adults experienced in working with youth; however, the youth participants lead the group! 

Contact: [email protected]

Date & Time: Mondays from 6pm to 8pm

Location:
“Rainbow Room” Located in
the Lower Level of the
University YMCA
1001 S. Wright St.
Champaign, IL 61820

ILLINOIS SAFE SCHOOLS ALLIANCE

 

The mission of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (the Alliance) is to promote safety, support and healthy development for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, in Illinois schools and communities, through advocacy, education, youth organizing and research.

 

Link to their website.

GREATER COMMUNITY AIDS PROJECT (GCAP)

Educational programs on HIV/AIDS prevention and support services for people living with AIDS.

Link to their website.

Call (217) 351-2437 or email [email protected] for assistance.

 PARKLAND PRIDE

A student group that encourages collaboration, fellowship, and awareness regarding the spectrum of sexual and gender identities and embraces membership from students of all affinities.

Link to their Facebook page.

AMASONG: C-U’S PREMIER LESBIAN/FEMINIST CHORUS

Amasong is an award-winning amateur chorus with an enthusiastic local following. They perform folkloric, women-oriented, and classical music. Amasong provides an opportunity for lesbians and feminist women to gather together in the pursuit of choral excellence. They accept self-identified women at varying levels of experience and ability.

Link to their website.

Email [email protected] for more information.

To audition email [email protected]  and tell them a bit about yourself.

Auditions are held in August and January.

ELLIOTT COUNSELING GROUP 

Here at Elliott Counseling Group, we have been serving individuals, couples and families in the community since 2002, addressing the entire range of emotional and mental health issues. In addition to providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy, we provide many additional services. We currently employ a select group of the best and most well-regarded therapists in the community, bringing diversity in personal characteristics and culture, in style and orientation, and in experience and areas of specialization.

Listed below are therapists that specialize in the issues faced by individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and their families.

MOLLY MCLAY LCSW

Her passion is empowering clients healing from gender-based violence and trauma, such as sexual assault and relationship abuse, as well as working with anxiety and sexual and gender identity concerns. 

NICOLE EPPERSON LCPC

Nicole has helped clients address a variety of concerns and specializes in LGBTQIA issues, chronic pain and chronic medical conditions, grief and loss, addiction, relationships, and family issues. She takes a client centered approach and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, strengths-based, and solution focused approaches.

KEVIN SHEPHERD LCSW

He has extensive work in working with youth and adults in managing depressive symptoms and the stress that comes with life adjustments and changes. He has supported those with grief and loss issues. Kevin has a passion to also work with clients struggling with sexual identity issues. He enjoys working with those who have issues with gaming and technology.

LOOKING FOR A THERAPIST OR COUNSELOR?

We offer medication management, therapy, and counseling services in Champaign, Urbana, and Mattoon. We would love to see if we fit your needs well. Contact our customer care team to get started.