LGBTQIA+ Forum
Integral Care and What’sintheMirror? are proud to present a virtual community forum focused on mental health and well-being in the LGBTQIA+ community. Experts from across Travis County will explore the following topics and much more.
- How stigma and discrimination can increase mental health challenges
- How to reach out and support a loved one who is LGBTQIA+
- How to access gender-affirming mental health and substance use disorder care
Audience members will have an opportunity to submit questions in advance of the forum and ask questions at the end of the discussion. The forum will be moderated by Integral Care’s Clinical Manager of Special Projects Jessica Pedrick, MEd (she/her/hers). Learn more about our panelists below.
In Partnership With
PANELISTS
Earley Barnes-Ulrich, LCSW-S, LPHA III (she/her/hers)
School-Based Therapist, Integral Care
Earley Barnes-Ullrich is a Middle and High School School-Based Therapist at Integral Care. She is LCSW, Board-Approved Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, a TBRI® Practitioner, EMDR Certified Practitioner, and HeartMath® Certified Practitioner. Her pronouns are she/her and she identifies as a lesbian. She received her BSW in 2006 and MSSW in 2009 from the University of Texas School of Social Work. Before Integral Care, she worked as a therapist at DePelchin Children’s Center, Austin Child Guidance Center and the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center. Earley taught as an Assistant Adjunct Professor a Theories and Methods of Family Interventions at the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social work for two semesters. Earley served on the Board of Directors of the Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy for six years. She is the chairperson of the UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work Play Therapy Symposium, and serves as the RPT-S reviewer for the UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy. Earley provides social work clinical supervision and/or play therapy supervision.
Tarik Daniels, Writer. Performer. (he/his/him)
Mental Health & HIV Advocate, Executive Director/Founder, Whatsinthemirror?
Tarik Daniels is an AfroQueer writer, performer, certified mental health peer specialist & HIV awareness activist. Tarik is the Founder and Executive Director of WhatsintheMirror?, a social movement that provides mental health awareness and suicide prevention through art and advocacy to communities of color. He is serving his second term as a City Commissioner for Austin’s LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Board and Vice Chair of City of Austin’s HIV Planning Council. Tarik has written, directed, and produced several plays and released a novel, No Bonds So Strong in 2018 and hosts a black queer lifestyle podcast, What Works For Us. As a public speaker and storyteller, he uses his own personal narrative as a person living with HIV to bring awareness to HIV and mental health stigma. He is the winner of the 2019 Austin Under 40 Awards in Arts & Entertainment, 2020 SXSW Community Service Award Honoree, & 2021 BEQ LGBTQ 40 Under 40.
JP Cardenas (they/them)
Learning and Development Specialist, Integral Care
JP Cardenas (they/them) is a Learning and Development Specialist with Integral Care. They also sit on the Diversity and Inclusion Council Leadership as the Communication Lead. Prior to this role, JP served in a number of roles within the Adult Behavioral Health side of the agency, providing direct services to clients with severe mental illness. JP holds a Masters in Counseling from St. Edward’s University Austin and is currently working on becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, who specializes in working with the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of the agency, JP is a Queer educator, activist, and involved with two local LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations. JP is a Board Member and the Director of Health and Wellness with Austin Black Pride, the IDEA Team Lead with Embrace Austin and has recently joined Austin Public Health’s LGBTQ+ Health Justice and Tobacco Prevention Commission Advisory Board, which was created to address health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community.
Jessica Pedrick, MEd (she/her/hers), has ten years of experience supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in academic, behavioral health, and community settings. From 2016 to 2019, Jessica developed and implemented the Culturally Competent Care Project at Integral Care as part of a diverse team. Jessica is also the elected chair of Integral Care’s Diversity Council. Jessica holds a Masters of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Clark University. Jessica also serves on the Board of Directors for Waterloo Counseling, a local non-profit recently celebrated 35 years of providing inclusive, affordable mental health services to those living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ population.
Integral Care supports adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities in Travis County. Integral Care’s services include a 24-hour helpline for anyone who needs immediate support, ongoing counseling to improve mental health, drug and alcohol treatment to help with recovery, and housing to regain health and independence. Integral Care helps provide a solid foundation for well-being. Founded in 1967, Integral Care is Travis County’s Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority.
Founded in 2016, WhatsintheMirror (WITM) is a social and healing justice movement providing mental health awareness and suicide prevention to communities of color through art, advocacy, and affirming care with a focus on women, youth, and LGBTQIA+ persons. Connect to Care Initiative, a program connecting communities of color, including LGBTQIA+ communities and persons living with HIV to mental health services. Funding will cover a consultation and up to two clinical sessions for individuals impacted by COVID-19. As the organization noted in a statement, “we strive to bridge the gaps in the access to mental health services amongst black persons, LGBTQIA communities of color, and persons living with HIV/AIDS by offering culturally affirming care to underserved communities.”
LGBTQIA+ Resources:
Local and National
allgo nurtures and supports artists and artistic expression within in the LGBTQIA+ communities; promotes wellness; and builds coalitions among groups marginalized by race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation/sexual identity in order to enact change.
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce│3007 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Formerly AGLCC, this is Central Texas’ home for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supportive businesses and organizations.
A social organization that provides gay and bisexual men with opportunities to come together in a safe and supportive atmosphere to develop friendships and to participate in social, educational, cultural, recreational, and community activities and events.
Austin Gay & Lesbian Senior Services (AGLSS)
Family Eldercare cares for ALL seniors and adults with disabilities, along with their families as well provides additional resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
Austin Therapists of Color Directory
Austin Therapists of Color is a group for psychotherapists who self-identify as a Person of Color. This group is specifically designed for Austin therapists, students and other mental health professionals working in clinics, hospitals, non-profits, government, academia, private practice and other therapeutic settings.
Equality Texas works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.
Gender Spectrum provides education, training and support to help create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for all children and teens.
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
GLBT National Hotline│888-843-4564
The LGBT National Hotline is for all ages. It’s a safe space that is anonymous and confidential where callers can speak on many different issues and concerns including, but limited to, coming out issues, gender and/or sexuality identities, relationship concerns, bullying, workplace issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide, and much more.
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is a national education organization focused on ensuring that LGBT students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.
Trans and queer youth uniting for racial and gender justice. GSA clubs, or GSAs for short, are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities.
The Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. Click here for HRC Free professional trainings.
Communicates to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and creates and inspires the changes needed to make it better for them.
Integral Care │24/7 Helpline 512.472.4357
Integral Care improves the lives of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities in Travis County.
Kind Clinic│1-833-WE-R-KIND (1-833-937-5463) │1101 W 40th St #102, Austin, TX
Provides Central Texans access to PrEP, PEP, STI Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Care, Gender Care, and virtual visits.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation’s mission is to amplify the story of Matthew Shepard to inspire individuals, organizations and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people.
Promote the use of personal pronouns in the English language.
National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI)│ 512-420-9810
NAMI is a nationwide grassroots advocacy group, representing people affected by mental illness in the United States. NAMI provides education and advocacy by shaping public policy for those suffering the effects of mental illness.
Out Youth │512.419.1233
Out Youth promotes the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being of sexual and gender minority youth.
OutServe-SLDN
OutServe-SLDN is the largest association for actively serving LGBTQ military and veteran communities. It’s a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBTQ equality to America’s military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
PFLAG Austin│info@pflagaustin.org │(512) 302-3524
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) provides opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit.
Helps people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for the LGBTQI+ community worldwide.
TGQSocial │2307 Manor Rd (The Vortex)
The TGQ Social is for the trans spectrum – gender queers, trans ladies, trans fellas, gender non-conforming types and their allies.
The Austin Galano Club (AGC) serves the LGBTQ Recovery Community, and welcomes all persons in recovery, and supports those in recovery, without regard to race, color, creed, or sexual identity or orientation.
The Trevor Project│24-hour hotline: 1-866-488-7386
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Trans Lifeline│(877) 565-8860
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and micro-grants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
TransYouth Family Allies│888-462-8932
Partners with educators, service providers and communities to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
The Safe Zone Project is a free online resource for powerful, effective, LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops.
Waterloo Counseling Center │512-444-9922
Provide individual, group, couple, family, and HIV support counseling. Have adult support groups.
What’s in the Mirror │(737)704-1641
Whatsinthemirror? focus on marginalized communities that includes women, LGBTQIA+, and youth and provides suicide prevention and mental health awareness through art and advocacy to people of color and low socio-economic communities.
Legal Resources
Transgender Law Center changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Trans Law Help is an online database of trans-positive legal resources for people living in the United States. The database is organized by state and includes a list of lawyers, notaries and additional legal services who have identified themselves as resources for the trans community.
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based on gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal works to achieve 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.
Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality advocates for and represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and HIV-positive immigrants seeking safety, fair treatment, and freedom.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The mission of the ACLU LGBT Project is the creation of a society in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people enjoy the constitutional rights of equality, privacy and personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association.
LGBTQ BIPOC
African American Resources
Blacklight Online | Black LGBTQ magazine
National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition | Advocacy and education organization for Black gay men
National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) | Civil rights organization for Black LGBT/SGL people
Zuna Institute | Advocacy organization for Black lesbians
Chican@ and Latin@ Resources
Latino GLBT History Project | Collection of LGBT historical archives
Latino USA | Podcast of LGBTQ Latinx stories
Unity Coalition | Advocacy and education organization for LGBT equality
Native American Resources
NativeOUT | Organization for indigenous LGBTQ/Two-Spirit people in North America
Native Youth Sexual Health Network | Education and advocacy organization for indigenous youth
Asian American Resources
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance | Advocacy and education organization
API Equality-LA | Asians and Pacific Islanders for LGBT Equality; coming out resources
Jewish Resources
Jewish LGBT Network | Social and support organization that maintains a list of LGBT-affirming synagogues
JQInternational | Advocacy and support organization for LGBT Jews and allies
JQYouth | Support organization for LGBT Jewish youth and their families
Keshet | Advocacy organization for the full integration of LGBT Jews into Jewish life
Other Resources
Southerners On New Ground | Regional Queer liberation organization made up of Southern LGBTQ people
Academic and Informational
GLBT Historical Society | Collection of LGBT historical archives
Latino GLBT History Project | Collection of LGBT historical archives
National Consortium of Higher Education Resource Professionals | LGBT topics and resources in higher education
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC | Maintains the world’s largest collection LGBT materials
Queer Resources Directory (QRD) | Electronic library of LGBT news/resources
Soc. Bi | Online open forum on bisexuality
Families
COLAGE | Support and advocacy organization for children of LGBT parents
Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) | Advocacy and support organization for family/friends
Trans Youth Family Allies | Advocacy and support organization for trans youth and their families
Crisis and Youth
The LGBT National Hotline | Telephone and email peer counseling
JQYouth | Support organization for LGBT Jewish youth and their families
The Trevor Project | 24/7 suicide & crisis prevention helpline for LGBT and questioning youth
Athletics
Outsports | National LGBT sports news source
Campus Pride Sports Index | Equity in Higher Education in Sports
Athlete Ally | Allies for LGBT+ athletes, professional and collegiate
You Can Play Project | Promoting respect for all athletes
NCAA Office of Inclusion | NCAA resources and information
Religious and Spiritual
Multi-faith/Unaffiliated Resources
Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion | Muslim, Christian, and Jewish resources, including some in Spanish
Gender Identity and Our Faith Communities: A Congregational Guide for Transgender Advocacy | For faith communities
SoulForce | LGBTQI liberation org that seeks to end political & religious oppression through nonviolent resistance
Christian Resources
Enfleshed | Christian resources for LGBTQ-inclusive preaching and liturgy
Many Voices: A Black Church Movement for Gay and Transgender Justice | Justice for LGBTQ people in the Black church
Our Bible App | Bible study app oriented toward social justice, including LGBTQ affirmation and interfaith work
Queer Grace: An Encyclopedia for LGBTQ and Christian Life | Information about Christianity and LGBTQ people
Queer Theology | Resources, encouragement, and support for LGBTQ Christians and supporters
Building an Inclusive Church: A Welcoming Toolkit 2.0 | For churches that want to become welcoming and affirming
A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth by Cody J. Sanders | An guide focused on ministry with LGBTQIA youth
Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology by Pamela R. Lightsey | Queer theology centering Black LGBTQ women
Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians by A. Hartke | Resource for imagining a trans-inclusive Christianity
A list of LGBTQIA+ affirming Christian organizations by denomination
Muslim Resources
Queer Muslims | Resource and narrative-sharing blog for LGBTQ Muslims
The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity | Support and advocacy organization for LGBTQ Muslims
Queer Ummah: A Visibility Project | Collection of personal stories by queer Muslims
The “I Am Not Haraam” Project | Resource and storytelling blog by and for LGBTQ Muslims
Jewish Resources
Eshel | Support organization for LGBTQ Jews and their families in Orthodox communities
Keshet | Advocacy organization for the full integration of LGBTQ Jews into Jewish life
Buddhist Resources
Transbuddhists.org | Trans-authored Buddhist resource featuring s a guide for creating inclusive meditation spaces