When it is and why it matters
LGBTQ support groups, affirming peer communities, and queer-centered therapy spaces matter all year — but June brings them into sharper focus. June is Pride Month. The observance traces back to June 1969, when community members at the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted a police raid, an event that catalyzed the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. In 1999, President Clinton issued the first official proclamation designating June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. The observance has since grown to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other community members.
Pride Month means different things to different people. For some it is celebration. For others it is a time to acknowledge how far the community has come and how much further it still has to go. For many, it is a reminder that finding community is not a luxury. It is a need.
What the research says
LGBTQ+ people face elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions compared to cisgender, heterosexual peers. This is not a property of LGBTQ+ identity itself. Research consistently points to external causes: discrimination, rejection, stigma, and the chronic effort of concealment in unwelcoming environments. A large 2025 cross-sectional study using data from the All of Us Research Program found that sexual and gender minority subgroups had significantly higher odds of at least four of ten commonly diagnosed mental health conditions compared to non-SGM participants (Lu et al., 2025).
The Trevor Project’s 2025 national survey found that 21 percent of LGBTQ+ young people reported being physically threatened or harmed in the past year because of their sexual orientation or gender identity (The Trevor Project, 2025). Rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation remain disproportionately high across LGBTQ+ age groups.
Peer support helps. Research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations has consistently documented that minority stress, including the chronic experience of prejudice, stigma, and rejection, accumulates over time and contributes to worse mental health outcomes (Meyer, 2003). Community connection does not eliminate those stressors, but it reduces their weight. Qualitative research on LGBTQ+ youth has found that peer community spaces, including community groups and LGBTQ+ student organizations, provide a meaningful sense of solidarity and protection against isolation. Research on the benefits of group therapy reflects similar findings for other stigmatized populations.
LGBTQ+ groups in our directory
My Therapy Groups lists LGBTQ support groups — including LGBTQ support groups for adults, youth, and seniors — along with LGBTQ+-affirming therapy groups, and peer support communities. Whether you are looking for LGBTQ support groups led by peers or facilitated by a licensed therapist, the directory filters by format and location for queer and trans people across all 50 states. You can search by topic (identity, coming out, relationship support, grief), by location, or by format (online or in person).
Groups range from broad LGBTQ+ community support to more specific communities: trans support groups, groups for LGBTQ+ people of color, groups focused on relationships, and groups for parents of LGBTQ+ children. Not all topics have strong coverage in every region. If you do not find a group that fits, reach out directly to group leaders. Many can point you toward communities they know of that are not yet listed.
How to choose a group
Identity and facilitation model matter here. Some LGBTQ+ people prefer a group led by an LGBTQ+-identified facilitator. Others prefer peer-led groups that feel less clinical. Both can work well. The right fit depends on what you are looking for.
A few questions worth asking before you join: Is this group for a specific part of the LGBTQ+ community, or broadly inclusive? Does the facilitator have experience with LGBTQ+ issues? Is this a drop-in group or a closed cohort? Is the group online, in person, or both?
If you are trans or nonbinary, look for groups that explicitly welcome trans participants. Representation in the room matters. If you are a person of color, culturally affirming spaces exist. Search terms like “Black LGBTQ+ support” or “Latinx queer community” can help narrow the list. Many LGBTQ support groups also meet online, which expands access significantly.
Whether you are newly out, decades into your identity, or supporting someone you love, LGBTQ support groups can offer something that individual therapy often cannot: the experience of not being the only one in the room.
Other resources
- The Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org): 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.
- PFLAG (pflag.org): support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
- GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality (glma.org): directory of LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org): mental health resources, peer support programs, and a helpline.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.
Frequently asked questions
What is an LGBTQ+ support group?
An LGBTQ+ support group is a regular gathering, in person or online, where LGBTQ+ people can talk about shared experiences, find community, and get support from others who understand. Groups may be peer-led or led by a licensed clinician.
Do I have to be out to join an LGBTQ+ support group?
No. Many groups welcome people who are questioning or who are not fully out. You are not required to share anything you are not ready to share. Most groups operate with confidentiality agreements.
What is the difference between a therapy group and a peer support group for LGBTQ+ people?
A therapy group is led by a licensed clinician and follows a structured therapeutic model. A peer support group is typically led by community members with lived experience. Both can be valuable. Therapy groups often cost more but may be covered by insurance.
Are there groups for specific identities, like trans people or bisexual people?
Yes. Many groups serve specific parts of the LGBTQ+ community. Search the My Therapy Groups directory by identity term, such as “trans support” or “bisexual community,” to find groups that match your experience.
What if I am struggling and need help right away?
If you are in crisis, call or text 988. The Trevor Project operates a 24/7 crisis line specifically for LGBTQ+ young people: 1-866-488-7386, or text START to 678-678.
References
Lu, J. A., Soltani, S., Austin, S. B., Rehkopf, D. H., Lunn, M. R., & Langston, M. E. (2025). Mental health disparities by sexual orientation and gender identity in the All of Us Research Program. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.56264
Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674-697. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12956539/
The Trevor Project. (2025). 2025 U.S. national survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2025/
My Therapy Groups is a directory. Group leaders write their own listings, and we do not vet, supervise, or endorse the groups listed here. We are not a clinic and we do not provide clinical services or guarantee outcomes. That is the group’s work, not ours. If you are in crisis, call or text 988. We will be here when you are ready.