Boys & Girls Clubs are committed to ensuring equity and inclusion for all young people.

Our Clubs work to offer a safe, positive environment for youth, staff and families of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. It's part of our broader mission to ensure every young person has access to quality out-of-school time opportunities where they are physically and emotionally safe and build healthy habits and the skills they need on their path to a great future.

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Leonard A. on what the Club means to them.

“I can come here and really be who I am.  At home there’s always a filter but here there isn’t. People here are more accepting than where I typically am for most of my day. From my perspective it seems that it’s the only accepting place.”

- Casper, BGC Wisconsin

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe every kid has what it takes. The mission and core beliefs of Boys & Girls Clubs fuel our commitment to promoting safe, positive and inclusive environments for all. Boys & Girls Clubs of America supports all youth and teens – of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and religion – in reaching their full potential.

Resources & Stories

Inclusive Practices to Empower LGBTQ Youth

Letting kids know that we see them, and we accept them for whoever they are.

Growing Up Kate (She/Her/Hers)

Kate H. shares her experience as a trans female and how acceptance means everything.

Parenting LGBTQ Youth

Guidance for positive relationships between parents/caregivers and LGBTQ+ youth.

How to be an Ally

Once accepting adult can make all the difference. Learn how to be an ally to LGBTQ+ youth.

How to Help Teens with Gender Identity

Tips to help parents and teens navigate conversations about gender identity.

Carter’s Pride

"It was liberating to finally be okay with simply just being me."

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Partners

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is proud to partner with the following organizations to provide resources to our Clubs, our members and their families.

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network

GLSEN believes that every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. 

Human Rights Campaign

Find a wealth of resources for supporting LGBTQ youth at home, in school and in the community.

The Safe Zone Project

The Safe Zone Project Is a Free Online Resource for Powerful, Effective LGBTQ Awareness and Ally Training Workshops.

The Trevor Project

The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

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