LGBTQIA+ Deaf Resources

Published: Tuesday 03 June 2025 | 2 Comments

Grouped under: General Information

Are you a deaf person who identifies within the LGBTQIA+ community? 

Being a deaf LGBTQIA+ person comes with a unique set of challenges that can be hard to manage, and can have impact on mental health. 

Deaf LGBTQIA+ people are a minority within a minority, which means they often struggle to find their place, and feel accepted within both the deaf and the LGBTQIA+ communities. 

In the US and the UK, there are growing Deaf LGBTQIA+ communities offering helpful information, advice and support to anyone in need, and LGBTQIA+ organisations that provide a safe place to meet others. 

Here’s some Deaf LGBTQIA+ resources – from accessible support services and organisations, to mental health resources and social media accounts. 

You can learn more about Deaf LGBTQIA+ history here. And, learn the BSL signs for the diverse array of sexualities and identities here. 

LGBTQIA+ Support Services 

Galop – A national helpline for LGBTQIA+ people who have experienced or experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
Phone: 0800 999 5428
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Webchat is open Monday – Thursday 9:15am – 4:30pm 

Mermaids – Supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families.
Phone: 0808 801 0400
Email: info@mermaidsuk.org.uk
Webchat is available 1pm – 8:30pm Monday to Friday
Text: Text ‘MERMAIDS’ to 85258 

Switchboard – the LGBTQIA+ helpline.
Phone: 0800 0119100, open 10am–10pm every day
Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt.
Online chat is available on their website. 

LGBT Foundation – A national charity with LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing at the heart of what they do. 

Gendered Intelligence is a trans-led and trans-involving charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people. 

Deaf LGBTQIA+ Support Organisations UK 

Regard is a national organisation of lesbians, gay men, bi, trans and queer people (LGBTQIA+) who self-identify as disabled. They follow the Social Model of Disability. This is a way of thinking about disability that says it is society that needs to change by removing the barriers that deny us inclusion and equal rights. 

Unique LGBT is a group which meets monthly in King’s Cross and central London. Unique is run by disabled LGBTQ+ people, for disabled LGBTQ+ people. You can join the Facebook group. 

Deaf Rainbow UK provides information, represents and supports deaf people who are either coming out and/or identify as LGBTQIA+. 

Mental Health Resources UK 

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health)
Phone: 0141 530 1000
Email: info@samh.org.uk 

Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm, Monday to Friday)
Text: 86463
Email: info@mind.org.uk 

Papyrus UK – HOPELINE247 is a service for young people experiencing thoughts of suicide. Lines are open 24 hours every day of the year including Weekends and Bank Holidays.
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
BSL Video: InterpretersLive!  

Samaritans – a safe place to talk about whatever’s getting to you. Free 24 hours phone line.
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org 

SHOUT – the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. All the conversation is done via text.
Text: Text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation. 

Pink Therapy is the UK’s largest independent therapy organisation working with gender and sexual diversity clients. You can search and find therapists and mental health resources on their site. 

Counselling Directory is a comprehensive database of UK counsellors and psychotherapists, with information on their training and experience, fees and contact details. Use keywords such as ‘LGBT’, ‘gay’, ‘lesbian’, ‘bi’, ‘trans’ or ‘same-sex couple’ to find professionals who specialise in supporting LGBTQIA+ people. 

Deaf LGBTIQA Support Organisations US 

Deaf Queer Resource Center resource center for, by and about the Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex and Questioning communities. 

Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) a society for Deaf Gay and Lesbian citizens in the United States and Canada. 

BSL Glossary

Deaf Rainbow UK have created an ongoing BSL glossary for the array of sexualities and identities. You can view the BSL videos here. 

Social Media Accounts to Follow

@deafrainbowuk – posts about deaf LGBTQIA+ information, support, events, accessible PRIDE and BSL definitions 

@deaf_lgbt_family – posts about gender and sexuality, BSL definitions, and being lgbt in different countries 

@chellaman – deaf trans artist and influencer 

@mrlukechristian – deaf gay man and founder of Deaf Identity. Read his Deaf Role Model interview.

.@evolutionofelliot – deaf trans actor 

.@ouch_mouse – Genderqueer DeafBlind scientist, and drag king @papa_smear. Read their Deaf Role Model interview.

If you know any other resources to add to the list, please leave a comment or contact us.