The Rainbow Guidebook

Resource List

This list of resources is created and maintained by a team of LGBTQ+ researchers with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. We add resources that we feel are supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. We think these resources will be helpful to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their teachers, and their supporters. Many of these resources use plain language, pictures, and videos to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to understand relationships, gender, sexuality, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Teach and learn about LGBTQ+ topics

ASAN Proud and Supported ❯
Easy Read and Plain Language toolkits about understanding and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Green Mountain Self-Advocates LGBTQ+ Resources for Self-Advocates, Families and Allies ❯
Resources created by self-advocate Thomas Caswell about youth and adults with developmental disabilities coming out as LGBTQ+.
LGBTQ+ An Easy Read Guide - UK ❯
A plain language and visual booklet about LGBTQ+ identities. Includes drawings and explanations of sexual acts between same sex partners. Some information only applies to people living in the UK.
Outspoken Identity Booklet - UK ❯
A plain language and visual workbook with information about LGBTQ+ identities. Includes activity pages such as flag coloring and drawings to dress with cutout clothing.
Transgender An Easy Read Guide - UK ❯
A plain language and visual booklet with information about transgender identities and gender transition. Some information only applies to people living in the UK.

Teach and learn about relationships and sexuality

Elevatus Training ❯
Offer evidence and trauma-informed curriculum, online training, in-services and workshops to help professionals, educators, self-advocates and parents skillfully and confidently navigate sexuality and intellectual, developmental disabilities and autism.
Sexuality and People with Developmental Disabilities ❯
Educational videos for self-advocates about the importance of providing information to people with developmental disabilities and supporting them in their sexual self-advocacy. Topics include: Sexual Self-Advocacy, Sexual Feelings and Relationships, and Consent.
NCIL Sex Ed for Individuals with I/DD ❯
YouTube videos to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn about sex.
Real Talk Videos ❯
Video conversations on dating, love, relationships, and sex created by a sexual health initiative aimed at people living with cognitive disabilities.
AUCD Sex Talk for Self-Advocates ❯
A webinar series that addresses self-advocate questions about relationships and sexuality.
Sexual Health Equity for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (SHEIDD) ❯
Resources to promote holistic sexual health education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
amaze ❯
Features free, fun, animated videos to provide young people the answers they actually want to know about puberty, sex, their bodies, and healthy relationships. This includes dozens of videos about the LGBTQ+ community and videos about sexuality + disability.
Let’s Talk About Sex: Students with Disabilities and their Sexual Health Toolkits ❯
This toolkit, designed by and for parents of children with disabilities, offers practical tools and strategies that parents can use to help their child through puberty and adolescence..
Relationships and Boundaries Self-Paced Online Course ❯
A free online, self-paced course from Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region about relationships, consent, boundaries and internet safety for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Planet Puberty ❯
A website that provides parents and caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities and/or autism with the latest information, strategies and resources for supporting their child through puberty. Resources include handouts, videos, interactive games, lesson plans, and more.

Facts about LGBTQ+ youth and adults with disabilities

LGBT People with Disabilities Infographics ❯
Statistics and research about equity issues impacting LGBT people with disabilities.
Advocating for LGBTQ Students with Disabilities ❯
A resource that provides educators and parents an overview of the rights of LGBTQ students with disabilities, as well as actionable recommendations on how to best support them.
Human Rights Campaign: Understanding Disability in the LGBTQ+ Community ❯
Statistics and links about the lives of disabled LGBTQ+ people
Outing Disability ❯
A documentary featuring narrative interviews about the sexual lives of people with disabilities.
Drag Syndrome ❯
A drag group featuring drag kings and queens with Down syndrome.
Rainbow Support Groups of MA ❯
Information about the Rainbow Support Groups located in Massachusetts and guidelines for starting a Rainbow Support Group. You can also request training led by their founder and coordinator, Pauline Bosma.

Support for family and friends

Family Acceptance Project ❯
This project provides free booklets, posters, and videos for families on why and how families should show support for their LGBTQ loved ones. There are materials available in multiple languages and faith-based resources.
PFLAG ❯
National organization that provides support groups and resources for parents and families of LGBTQ+ people.
Somos Familia ❯
Somos Familia builds leadership in Latinx families and communities to create a culture where people of diverse genders and sexual orientations can thrive. The website includes resources and videos in English and Spanish created by Latinx families.
Gender Spectrum ❯
Resources and videos to support gender-diverse young people and their families.
My Kid is Gay ❯
Resources for helping families understand their LGBTQ kids, including personal stories written by family members and articles in Spanish.

National US LGBTQ+ organizations

Human Rights Campaign ❯
HRC’s campaigns are focused on mobilizing those who envision a world strengthened by diversity, where our laws and society treat all people equally, including LGBTQ+ people and those who are multiply marginalized.
National LGBTQ Task Force ❯
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people.
Lambda Legal ❯
Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
GLAAD ❯
GLAAD – the world’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization – increases media accountability and community engagement that ensures authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized.

National US LGBTQ+ helplines

The Gay and Lesbian National Hotline 888-843-4564
https://www.glnh.org
Trevor Project 866-488-7386
Helpline for LGBTQ+ people
Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860
Helpline for transgender people