Social distancing and quarantining are critical to limit the spread of the virus and protect everyone’s health, but it can cause or increase isolation for many in our community. For those of us who are most vulnerable, whatever the reason, we’re compiling resources that may help. We’ll continue to update this page with additional resources as the situation evolves.

 

Legal Rights and Resources

GLAD Answers

Our legal information line, GLAD Answers, remains available to answer your questions and provide resources and referrals regarding your rights as a member of the LGBTQ and HIV communities.

So that we can keep our volunteers safe, we are not able to answer phone calls live at this time, but are available online at GLADAnswers.org for the fastest response. You can also leave a voicemail at 800-455-GLAD with your name and contact information and we will return your call within two business days.

ID Project

Transgender people living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont) seeking to update their legal name and gender on federal and state documents can be matched with an attorney for free legal representation through our ID Project. Due to the current COVID-19 public health crisis, many courts and government offices are temporarily closed or operating for emergency business only. You may unfortunately  experience delays in getting a response from state or federal government agencies or in the processing of your name or gender marker change requests as a result. For your safety and the safety of others you should not travel to any government office at this time. You should keep dated copies of any materials you submit by mail or electronically. We’ll update this notice as more information becomes available.

Visit our Know Your Rights During COVID-19 page. For LGBTQ parents, visit our FAQ page to understand your legal rights during the public health crisis.

 

Health Resources

 

Seek Support

 

Connect

 

Take Action

  • Be informed and share reliable information. Misinformation is dangerous. Make sure you know the facts and help share correct information to keep everyone safe. Trust official sources like the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and official communications from your local or state government.
  • Apply to be a Contact Tracer. Contact Tracers are providing crucial support to help flatten the curve by remotely contacting people who have been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19 and connecting them with testing and services.
  • Urge Massachusetts lawmakers to pass Emergency Paid Sick Time. Help ensure that all workers can take paid sick time during the public health crisis to avoid potentially spreading the virus and to take care of themselves or loved ones.
  • Tell Congress to protect hospitality workers. With 90% of hospitality workers unemployed, Congress appropriated billions for hotels to protect workers pay and healthcare. Now, the hotels want to use that money to pay their banks instead of workers. Tell Congress not to cut workers out of the deal.
  • Take action to support LGBTQ foster youth. COVID-19 and the efforts to curb its spread are wreaking havoc on the already-strained child welfare system. Tell your Senator and Representative to immediately increase in funding to support vulnerable children and families.
  • Take part in the ongoing Massachusetts Week of Action. While we can’t be together in person, we can act together in solidarity to protect our incarcerated loved ones, our families, and communities. Visit the page each week for new actions.
  • Join the Transgender Law Center’s weekly video call series on how trans people can support each other and advocate at a local, state, and federal level for the care, resources, and support they deserve.
  • Ask Congress to address urgent needs of babies and families. As the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down child care centers, as well as a range of service providers and workplaces, legislators need to ensure the needs of babies and families are met in the next stimulus bill.
  • Sign the petition to help ensure all people, regardless of immigration status, have access to care and support to face the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump needs to order DHS to suspend deportations, immigration arrests, mass raids, detentions, and enforcement in sensitive locations.
  • Urge Congress to support people with disabilities in the next stimulus bill. Congress has passed two bills to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic – but more must still be done to support people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professional workforce.
  • Spread the word. Share GLAD’s resources with your friends to make sure they know their rights! If we’re missing anything you think should be included, let us know.

 

Work From Home

 

Unwind

Want more activity ideas? Try this guide for activities for you, your children, or the whole family.

 

If you have resources you think we should include, let us know. While we may be physically apart, we’d love to connect with you on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

From All of Us at GLAD…

We’re here for you in this time of uncertainty, and our work for equality and justice for all our LGBTQ and HIV+ communities will not stop.

Our community knows from experience that the best way through is together. We’re grateful for all you do to make our work possible, and for all you’re doing to support one another. If you are in a position to make a gift to GLAD at this time, you’ll help us continue doing our work for the most vulnerable in our community.

Thank you, be well, and take care of yourselves and each other.

In uncertain times, the fight for justice continues. Donate. Background: heart surrounded by intertwined rainbow pathways on aqua background

 

Updated September 2020