Support Networks

Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association offers support to the local GLBT community in Oak Park, IL. They offer their services to members from Oak Park, River Forest, Berwyn, Forest Park, Brookfield and Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The association offers support programs to adult and youth, emphasizing safety, confidentiality, and comfort for those who need help. It also provides support programs specifically to Latinos. Importantly, the website points to web-based resources on things ranging from coming out to political and news coverage.

PFLAG stands for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and is a national support network for GLBT persons and the people who care about them. PLFAG hosts community meetings through their local chapters and supports and educates families on the current gay rights challenges. PFLAG is an upfront advocate of GLBT rights and pro-gay legislation, participating in marches, rallies and other action. The site offers resources for education on a number of issues and specific bills with which the organization is involved. Through PFLAG, adults can educate themselves on advocacy and legislation and find ways to participate in action. The PFLAG Oak Park chapter meets at First United Church on fourth Sundays.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is a support network that fights for the rights of GLBT employees. Their website lists the issues with which they wrestle, such as getting benefits for domestic partners and health care specifically for GLBT employees. This is a good resource for GLBT adults looking to get up to date on the issues specific to GLBT community in the workplace and to find information on workplaces that have good records in considering their GLBT employees. The website also displays news sources on current issues that affect the workplace. There is a Chicago area chapter, Council 31.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is an activism network that conducts national research and organizes action for the Unites States GLBT community. Their website clarifies issues that are affecting the U.S. as well as listing the actions that the Task Force has taken to help. The organization has compiled reports, issue maps, and fact sheets on contemporary problems such as a map that shows which states recognize same-sex unions. It also makes a point of reaching out to the often underserved transgendered community. These kinds of resources are highly useful to those looking for information on and graphic representations of national trends.

Amnesty International is an organization with a worldwide focus and this section of its interest concentrates on advocating for GLBT persons around the world. The organization's website links to other sites that clarify the problems facing GLBT persons and lists actions that it has taken on behalf of international GLBT communities. This is important for those interested in learning about and effecting global change for those with different sexualities. The website is available in English, French, and Spanish.