LGBTQ+ Resources in the RGV

By Guadalupe Muñoz

South Texas Equality Project (STEP)

The South Texas Equality Project (STEP) is a coalition made up of LGBTQ+ non-profits and community groups focused on advocacy and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. STEP organizes community events, monthly meetings, and hosts opportunities for involvement. We highly encourage visiting their website to see a list of LGBTQ+ friendly medical care practitioners and clinics, legal services, businesses, spiritual organizations, and nonprofits in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. Users can also submit a business or review through the website.

Contact Information

South Texas Equality Project

IG: @southtexasequalityproject_

Facebook: @STEP.RGV

GENTex

The Gender Equality Network of Texas is a Trans-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to advocate for the needs of Trans Women, Trans Men, and Gender Non-Conforming individuals in the Rio Grande Valley.

Services	Contact Information
Emergency housing Hormone replacement therapy delivery Utility assistance	IG: @gentexrgv Email: gentexriograndevalley@gmail.com Support Casa Kimberly

Casa Orgullo

Created by the Valley Aids Council in 2020, Casa Orgullo is the first LGBTQ+ youth drop-in center in the Rio Grande Valley. As a relatively new organization, Casa Orgullo’s services are ever-expanding! Follow their social media accounts to stay tuned as Casa Orgullo continues to grow!

Services	Contact Information
Tutoring & virtual workshops for college preparedness HIV/STI education upon request HIV testing & counseling services Mental health & wellbeing services, including peer support groups Vocational & educational assistance Referrals & resources Meals & snacks Clothing Legal services	(956) 668-1155 300 S. 2nd St. McAllen, TX 78508 IG: @casa.orgullo Facebook: @CasaOrgulloRGV Email: casaorgullo@valleyaids.org

RGV Trans Closet

The Rio Grande Valley Trans Closet is a Trans-led nonprofit organization providing free gender-affirming clothes and funding for the needs of low-income Trans people of all ages! They are also the only Trans-led organization in the Valley that helps fund gender-affirming care for Trans youth who need to travel out of the RGV for care.

Services	Contact Information
Gender-affirming clothes including binders Funding for hormone replacement therapy Emergency groceries aid Transportation aid Utility aid Rent aid Medical bill aid Weekly peer-led virtual support groups	IG: @rgvtranscloset Facebook: @rgvtranscloset Amazon wishlist

Valley AIDS Council

The Valley AIDS Council is the primary provider of HIV prevention, education, and testing services in the lower Rio Grande Valley whose mission is to deliver culturally appropriate sexual health and wellness services in South Texas and advocate for the Latine population at the local, state, and national level.

Services	Contact Information
Condom distribution & harm reduction kits HIV prevention education Hormone replacement therapy funding Confidential HIV/STI testing Primary outpatient care and support services for anyone living with HIV/AIDS	IG: @valleyaidscouncilstx Facebook: @VACSouthTexas

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)

The Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) is the largest provider of free legal services for low-income Texans. TRLA’s LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Project aims to help LGBTQ+ Texans navigate legal issues from name changes to confronting discrimination. TRLA has locations in Brownsville, Harlingen, and Mercedes.

Services	Contact Information
Name change Gender marker corrections Civil legal assistance Advice with employment, housing, education, family law, immigration, and expunction Services for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault	(956) 447-4800 IG: @texasriograndelegalaid Facebook: @TRLegalAid Twitter: @TRLA

RGV PRISM

Teach For America’s National Prism Alliances aim to be more intersectional in the movement to end educational inequity by encouraging more LGBTQ+ leaders to teach. The RGV Prism works alongside LGBTQ+ partners in the area to advance educational equity and inclusiveness for educators and students. Every year, the alliance provides scholarships to LGBTQ+ students from the Valley.

 Contact Information

Facebook: @RGVPRISM

Guadalupe Muñoz, Health Educator, is based in the Rio Grande Valley. As a health educator, Guadalupe aims to empower young people to make informed decisions about their sexual health and relationships. Guadalupe enjoys working on their garden, spending time with their pups, and finding new hobbies in their free time.