Resources
Local Resources
The BRC offers a wide variety of LGBTQ-focused sensitivity and cultural competency trainings and workshops.
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Diversity and Resiliency Institute of El Paso
A division of the Borderland Rainbow Center, their Mission is to promote the values of diversity and inclusion through education and training, fostering resiliency in professional practice, company culture, and within the community.
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The LGBTQ+ Heroes Project is a grant funded initiative aimed at bringing visibility to the stories of these heroes, and reducing societal marginalization for the queer community. The goal is to inspire others to stand against social injustices and inequalities. The project utilizes playing cards featuring LGBTQ+ Border Heroes as illustrated by local artists to supply our West Texas Borderland community, and beyond, with an interactive educational resource that provides insight into LGBTQ+ history and brings continual awareness to a community in need. Pre-Order your deck TODAY!!! The second deck is focused on Texas LGBTQ+ Heros, nominations for artists and heroes is active now.
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A peer case management program for transgender individuals in the border region; due to various factors, transgender individuals in our region tend to be isolated from their communities and forced to navigate the world alone, which can lead to lack of knowledge of local resources available.
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A listing of local self-identified LGBTQ-friendly therapists, doctors, and social service providers.
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A local chapter of a national organization that encourages and supports LGBTQ folks and their families since 1973. Check their facebook for monthly support group meetings the the family of LGBTQ people on the west and east sides of El Paso.
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A grant funded organization that provides education, resources, and testing for HIV and STI's for men who have sex with men (MSM). They provide free social events and a safe space for young gay and bisexual men.
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The Queer Student Alliance at UTEP
UTEP students band together to advance LGBTQ+ equality and pride through support, education, and action. We aim to dismantle social and institutional barriers to equality for all people.
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The Queer Student Alliance at EPCC
EPCC students work together to educate and encourage acceptance and understanding about the issues related to the LGBTQ+ community within El Paso Community College.
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The LGBT Initiatives at Texas Tech Health Sciences
Texas Tech Health Sciences' Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Health sponsors three lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) initiatives on campus.
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COVID-19 & You
The COVID-19 & You team is proud to share with you our report on the EXPERIENCES OF SEXUAL & GENDER DIVERSE TEXANS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. This report (download it) includes a summary of our survey results among 1300 LGBTQ+ Texans interviewed May - July 2020.
This work was possible through the collaboration of the COVID-19 & You Coalition consisting of Texas statewide organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities. We thank Texas Pride Impact Funds (TPIF) for starting important conversations and making meaningful connections throughout the state and Borderland Rainbow Center (BRC) for representing El Paso in the coalition.
We also want to thank the UT Austin Pride Health Pop-Up Research Institute for funding the gift card raffle for those who took the survey.
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El Paso Public Library - Career Online High School
The El Paso Public Library, in partnership with Gale/Cengage, offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online through Career Online High School (COHS).
EPPL and the City of El Paso are providing a limited number of free scholarships to qualified adult learners who are looking to advance their careers, prepare for workforce entry or continue their education.
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Applicants who successfully complete an online self-assessment and a 2 week prerequisite course, followed by an in-person interview, will be considered for a free scholarship to attain their accredited high school diploma.
Once enrolled, COHS pairs each student with an academic coach, who provides the student with an individual career path, offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance and connects the student with the resources needed to master the courses. Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program.
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To be considered for the program, applicants must:
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Be age 19 or over
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Reside in the City of County of El Paso
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Have an El Paso Public Library card
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Have access to a computer and Internet either at home or at a library nearest you
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Be able to dedicate at least 8 hours per week to course study
To begin the online self-assessment & apply visit www.careeronlinehs.gale.com/eppl/
To contact us or for more information, please email learn@elpasotexas.gov.
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k-12 resources
Our response to Governor Abbott and Attorney General Attorney Paxton's -
The BRC has worked with a coaliton of organizations across Texas to respond to Paxton's ruling that mandated reporters should report families who support their transgender youth with gender affirming care and providers who deliver that care. Click below for our joint statement in response.
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This organization is a major national force for improving the educational experiences of LGBTQ students in the K-12 system. They have a robust menu of resources for teachers, students, and school professionals. Not only do they develop age-appropriate materials for use in schools, they perform extensive original research underlying their policy and activity recommendations, work with policy makers, and advocate for LGBTQ kids nationally.
An easy-to-navigate website that gathers together resources for transgender youth in Texas schools. The site includes a contact form that will connect you with the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in Texas if you need legal assistance. Co-sponsored by the ACLU, Equality Texas, Lambda Legal, and the Transgender Education Network of Texas.
A Texas-based program of Out Youth offering support for GSA's (Gay-Straight Alliances). Many resources are available for how to support the establishment and growth of a GSA.
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The Texas GSA Network is currently conducting our 2019 Registration Drive to gather information on, catalog, and disseminate information to GSAs in middle and high schools across the state. We are also working to unite clubs through an online statewide forum, and provide resources, and virtual training to help students, parents, teachers and faculty make Gender & Sexuality Alliance Clubs sustainable for years to come.
A California-based non-profit offering support for GSA's (Gay-Straight Alliances) across the nation. Many resources are available for how to support the establishment and growth of a GSA.
Free tp Be Me: A Toolkit to Protect Trans Kids' Rights-
A wonderful resource guide about how to protect the rights of transgender kids in Texas K-12 schools.
Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth-
A publication offered by the American Psychological Association for principals,educators, and school personnel.
name change resources
Click on the icons below to download the forms you need.
Adult Name Change Form
Fee Waiver Form
Adult Name Change Instructions
Adult Gender Marker Change Form
Child Name Change Form
Child Name Change Instructions
National Resources
National Suicide Hotline:
English: 1–800–273–8255
Spanish: 1–888–628–9454
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Trans Lifeline:
US: 1–877–565–8860
CANADA: 1–877–330–6366
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Staffed entirely by transgender people and dedicated to the transgender community.
GLBT National Hotline:
888-843-4564
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GLBT National Youth Talk Hotline:
800-246-8860, M-F 2pm-10pm Mountain time
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SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline:
800-234-7423, M-F 2pm-10pm Mountain time
Saturday 10-3pm Mountain time
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BEAM - Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
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We are a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Project:
212-714-1141
English and Spanish
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National LGBT Education Center at the Fenway Institute:
This organizations provides educational programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.
The Education Center is a part of The Fenway Institute, the research, training, and health policy division of Fenway Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and one of the world’s largest LGBT-focused health centers.
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Drug Addiction and Abuse in the LGBTQ Community
Discusses why so many LGBTQ individuals abuse drugs and gives a list of helpful resources.
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Looking at the Landscape of LGBTQ and Gay-Friendly Rehabs
Provides statistics on LGBTQ populations & addiction, where to find an LGBTQ-friendly rehab center and a substance abuse self-assessment.
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Your Guide to LGBTQIAPK Addiction Treatment
Gives information on what LGBTQIAPK means, substance abuse & addiction statistics and LGBTQIAPK addiction treatment.
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LGBTQ Youth & Schools Resource Library
There's a lot of information about schools issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth both on the ACLU's website and elsewhere on the web, but sometimes it can be difficult to find your way to the resources you need online. We've gathered some of the best information we have plus great stuff from other organizations and websites on this page to help you find things that can help you learn more about your rights and what you can do to make your school a safer, more welcoming place.
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Texas Fact Sheet about Gender Affirming Care for Families
Gives information on what families and providers need to know about the legalities of providing gender affirming care to transgender youth.
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daca resources
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Updated August 2020: https://immigrationequality.org/legal/legal-help/other-paths-to-status/deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca/
2-minute video explanations:
English: https://www.facebook.com/TexasCivilRightsProject/videos/10154653123737035/
Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/TexasCivilRightsProject/videos/10154653127457035/
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Know your rights when interacting with ICE at home, work, and in public:
Undocuhealth Project Toolkit: http://weareheretostay.org/?s=mental+health+resources+for+daca