Covid-19 Resources for the LGBTQ Community

Whether you are in need or in a position to volunteer or make a donation, there are efforts and resources being coordinated to address our LGBTQ community of Pittsburgh’s needs during the Covid-19 crisis.

I WANT TO HELP
I NEED ASSISTANCE

Stay Safe. Stay Proud.

We’re All In This Together

It’s estimated that nearly half of the 1.3 million workers in the Pittsburgh region will be directly impacted by the order to close nonessential businesses to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That means more people than ever will lose income and need help with food, medical care, and supporting themselves and their families in the coming weeks and months. During times of economic crisis the most marginalized, especially the QTPOC community, suffers the most. We are all in this together to help our brothers and sisters through this crisis.

Stop the Spread

  • If you must go out, wear a mask,
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
  • If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and frequently touched objects.
  • Practice physical distancing.

As Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and our community member Dr. Rachel Levine says:

My mask protects you.

Your mask protects me.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the resources available to you and your loved ones in the LGBTQ community.

Available Resources

Benefits

  • Attorney General Josh Shapiro has created an Unemployment Rights & Resources Guide here for Pennsylvanians
  • The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank can help you apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.Click here for info.
  • The Hispanic Development Corporation is assisting their community members in applying for unemployment benefits.  Click here for more info

Business Resources

The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, has put together here a toolbox for business owners who need resources about preparing for return, readying your workforce, and helping your workforce.

Covid-19 Questions

  • Allegheny County residents can call 888-856-2774 to speak with a representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • PA Department of Health
  • The United Way 2-1-1 hotline is available for all residents in Allegheny, Butler, Fayette, Westoreland, Armstrong, Butler, Cambria Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset and Washington Counties.

Differently Abled

Domestic Violence Issues

Emergency Funding

SistersPGH is leading the Pittsburgh Covid-19 LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund.  To date, over $25,000 has been raised.  To apply for emergency funding, click here.

Face Masks

  • Click here to apply for a Covid-19 Face Mask Request Form
  • The Post-Gazette has provided a list of mask resources.

Farmers Markets

While farmers markets are deemed an essential business and can open for the 2020 season, a lot of changes, including pre-orders and pickups, social distancing guidelines, and restrictions on prepared foods will be in effect to keep farmers, vendors, and customers as protected as possible.Many markets are starting the season with temporary hours and restrictions that may change as the season progresses, so always check their social media pages or websites for the latest updates from each individual market.  For an update to date list of Farmers Markets, click here.

Food

  • 412 Food Rescue
  • Allegheny County Area on Aging
  • Community Health Resources Food Pantry
  • Emergency Food Assistance Program here
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
    • Click here for a list of drive-up distribution sites, grab & go sites, produce to people program & senior boxes.  
    • Click here for a real-time updated map of free food distribution sites
  • Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation is making grocery care packages for LGBTQIA+ folks. Click here for info.
  • Sheetz  is offering free Kidz Meal Bagz at all of their 600 locations every day while supplies last. Families interested in taking advantage of the free Kidz Meal Bagz program can go to any Sheetz location and ask an employee for a meal at the register or through the drive-through. Meals will be available daily while supplies last. Families will be offered one bag per child. The Meal Bagz include a turkey sandwich, chips and a drink.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • United Way Pennsylvania–If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Pennsylvania 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance and more, dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.  Specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.
  • Urban League Hunger Resources

Housing

Immigrants & International

Legal

  • Transgender Law Center is hosting virtual community gatherings with Spanish and ASL interpretations.
  • The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has a Know Your Rights Guide for Transgender People Navigating Covid-19  here.

Medical

  • Accepting new patients and those without insurance.  Also can provide emergency HIV medicine and PrEP.  

Mental Health

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a list of tips for taking care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty.
  • Persad Center:  412-441-9786
    • Accepting new LGBTQIA+ clients and can provide resources & mental health services through TeleHealth.
  • PFLAG Pittsburgh  Warmline:  412-833-4556
    • Be connected anonymously with someone who will listen, empathize with your concerns, and empower you.
  • Resolve Crisis Response Network–888-796-8226 (24 hour hotline)
    • Counselors are available via phone or mobile crisis teams can be dispatched anywhere within Allegheny County.
  • Trans Lifeline–877-565-8860
  • Trevor Lifeline–866-488-7386

Pets

Recovery

  • AA Phone Meetings, click here for a list.
  • Persad Center offers an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) therapy group for dual diagnosis clients.  For info, click here.
  • Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing health empowerment services to people who use drugs.  In addition to needle exchange services, PPP has grown to include comprehensive case management services, assistance to drug treatment, individualized risk-reduction counseling, health education, condom and bleach distribution, overdose prevention with naloxone distribution, and free HIV, Hepatitis C, and STD screening in collaboration with Allies for Health + Wellbeing. Click  here  for more  info  & a list of where you can find them in the community.
  • Unity Recovery is offering online recovery support groups give times daily.  Click here for more info.

Seniors

  • Allegheny County’s  SeniorLine remains operational. Contact them for general information and assistance with local resources by phone at 412-350-5460 or at 1-800-344-4319
  • The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank offers a free monthly food box for seniors age 60 and over. Click here for information.
  • Persad Center’s SAGE program holds a weekly conference call for LGBTQ seniors 50+.  Email kboyle@persadcenter for more info.
  • Pittsburgh Cares offers a “buddy program” for people who are immunocompromised, over the age of 60, or are otherwise in need of someone to help run errands and check-in. Sign up here.

Sexual Health

Trans Support

  • SPECTRUM PGH is a peer-led support group for all genders.  
  • TransYOUniting is providing support for food (human and animal), toiletries, etc.  Click here to let them know your needs.
  • The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has a Know Your Rights Guide for Transgender People Navigating Covid-19  here.
  • Transgender Law Center is hosting virtual community gatherings with Spanish and ASL interpretations.

Unemployment Benefits

Unemployed Pennsylvanias have access to expanded benefits during the Covid-19 crisis, and people who were not previous eligible can now receive financial support.  For info, visit the Department of Labor & Industry’s website here.  To apply for unemployment compensation, visit here.

Utilities

  • Effective March 13, 2020, the Attorney General’s Office on Consumer Advocate has prohibited the shutoff of electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications during the Covid-19 crisis.  Call your provider to see if you qualify for discounted rate programs and to alert them of employment changes or the loss of a job. If you have questions or your utilities have been improperly shut off, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocate at 1-800-684-6560 weekdays from 8:30-4:30 PM. Messages left over the weekend will be heard the following Monday.
  • Comcast:  Affordable Internet Access Info
  • If your cellphone has be shut off, Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation offers one time re-connection payment. More info here.

Youth

I can’t find what I need.

If you are in need of support during the Covid-19 crisis and haven’t found the assistance you need, the Delta Foundation and TransYOUniting will make every effort to find and connect you with the appropriate resources

Use the Resources request from available here.

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Because we are all in this together while being apart, we have compiled a list of efforts to benefit the LGBTQ and allied communities that are being coordinated and in need of volunteers and donations.

Volunteer & Donation Opportunities

Community Food Bank

In these uncertain times, the Food Bank is committed to continuing their nearly 40-year mission of feeding people in need and mobilizing our community to eliminate hunger. As they continue these core mission services, cash donations are requested over any product donations at this time.

Donation information

Affirming Face Mask Resources

TransPride Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents blog are sourcing trans and queer affirming resources for cloth face masks in this region. Working together they hope to connect folx who need masks with folx willing to donate and/or make them.

Resources form

Pittsburgh Cares

Sign up to “be a buddy” and help people who are immunocompromised, over the age of 60, or are otherwise in need of someone to help run errands. Buddies check-in by phone calls to  neighbors, share any news and information, run errands such as picking up groceries, medications, etc. (when possible/ if needed).

Sign up

SistersPGH

SistersPGH is leading the Pittsburgh Covid-19 LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund.  To date, over $25,000 has been raised.  They are prioritizing displaced LGBTQIA+ people, those who work in the gig economy and the unemployed. 

Donation information