LGBTQ Eating Disorder Resources

One of the hardest parts of eating disorders—aside from recognizing or admitting that something may be wrong—is finding the help and information you need. Here, I hope to offer you a continually updated place to go for reliable, personal, eating disorder resources.

There are often real barriers standing in the way of eating disorder/disordered eating treatment: stigma, limited understanding of eating disorders, time away from work or family, past negative experiences with healthcare providers, financial limitations, and simply figuring out where to start or which level of care is right for you (1).

Because of this, many people delay seeking help until things feel overwhelming or even worse, the situation becomes critical. I want to pause here and gently remind you of something important: there is no such thing as being “sick enough” when it comes to disordered eating. That thought is often part of the disorder itself and, almost never the truth.

Seeking support at any stage, with any level of symptoms, is valid and encouraged. In fact, early intervention can make a meaningful difference. It can help identify patterns sooner, increase motivation for recovery, involve supportive people (when appropriate), and begin to challenge the shame and stigma that so often keep people stuck (2). Like many health conditions, the earlier it’s addressed, the better.

Let’s get started here and if you need more guidance or just someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Resources:

• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project was started in 1994 and has since done so much for the LGBTQ+ community in outreach and support. While not specifically an eating disorder facility/company, they offer many crisis services including a 24/7 chat service and phone line. Through these free services, an agent can help connect you to the right place, all while being confidential. 
• Inspire Recovery: Located in Florida, Inspire Recovery is an LGBTQ+ addiction clinic that specializes in substance use disorder and co-occurring issues. While not an eating disorder clinic, substance abuse and eating disorders often go hand in hand (roughly 1 in 5 individuals with eating disorders will also have substance use disorder in their lifetime) (3). There is additionally a nutritionist on staff who educates clients and helps them through feelings of body dysmorphia and disordered eating. 
• Fenway Health LGBTQIA+ Aging Project: A wonderful resource for older LGBTQ+ adults that provides group sessions via Zoom meetings, community meals, and meal programs in Massachusetts. They offer a FREE weekly Zoom group for older adults as well as a free 8-week in-person Bereavement Group.

Food Resources

• FRAC: FRAC (Federal Resource & Action Center) has provided a list of ways to get food, whether it be SNAP programs (food stamps) or emergency food programs. SNAP professionals are trained with a non-biased approach, and their main goal is to get you food. As food insecurity is prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community, this is a vital resource as food insecurity can lead to or make worse, disordered eating. 
• Community Servings: A meal delivery service for those with critical chronic health issues where all meals have been made from scratch with the assistance of a Registered Dietitian, tailored to help with a person’s medical restrictions or needs. This includes HIV/AIDs individuals who may need assistance with meal preparation and correct nutrition. 

Eating Disorder Resources

• Center for Discovery: Center for Discovery is an eating disorder treatment facility with clinics across the United States, and features inclusivity to all backgrounds. They are centered around a body-positive, “all foods fit” approach that targets both the nutritional and mental health areas of an eating disorder. They take most insurance, but please check with them about your personal insurance policy. 
• National Eating Disorder Association: NEDA is one of the first and one of the largest non-profit organizations in the battle against eating disorders. Their website features many resources, such as what to expect from treatment and where to seek it. Additionally, they have a page set up for free and low-cost support resources that feature online support groups.
• The Emily Program: The Emily Program works to promote eating disorder awareness, treatment, and recovery. With locations in Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington- they have treatment plans tailored for any body, any background, and any eating disorder issue. Additionally, they offer virtual intensive outpatient care for clients. 
• Eating Disorder Therapy LA: Based in California, this facility offers low-cost session options for eating disorder clients for about $60 per session (as of May 2026). The clients meet with graduate students who are working on their practical hours in the field, thus allowing them to meet with individuals at a discounted price. Their sessions run on a first come, first serve basis- so check for availability first. 

Resources for Professionals

• National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center: This website provides free educational materials for those in health care working with LGBTQ+ individuals. Their materials include research journals, videos, webinars, and more. There is a LOT of accessible information here for those working with the LGBTQ+ community, and I encourage anyone and everyone to make use of it for a more inclusive place of work. 
• EatRight ACEND: If you are a professional in the nutrition field, you may already be familiar with ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics). This is the accrediting agency for the educational programs that prepare dietetics students for the dietetics credentialing exams. There are currently new resources being developed focusing on LGBTQ+ education for providers in health care.

Terms to know

LGBTQ: Lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer/questioning. This is the all-encompassing term for people who identify as something other than straight and/or cisgender. There are many more letters in the full ‘alphabet’ in this community, but this is the shortened version.

Assigned at birth gender: This is the gender you were born as, but not necessarily the gender you identify as. We have learned that gender isn’t black or white but has many colors and ranges. What you were assigned at birth isn’t necessarily who you are. We may also see this as AFAB (assigned female at birth) or AMAB (assigned male at birth).

Non-binary: Someone who falls outside of the typical male or female gender binary. Someone who may feel androgynous or consider themselves another gender than is typically thought of; also known as gender-non-conforming.

Transgender: Someone who is another gender from which they were assigned at birth.

Cisgender: The gender you were born into, without any changes. If you were assigned male/female, and feel male/female, and want to be male/female- then you would be considered cisgender.

Gender Dysphoria: Not feeling right in your assigned gender and feeling like you truly are someone else. A friend once described this as “looking at your hand, but it’s not truly your hand”. This affects a wide range of transgender and other individuals, world-wide.

Body Dysmorphia: Similar to above, but this is felt by all people- no matter how they identify. This is the feeling of not feeling like the person you see when you look in the mirror. Common in eating disorders, people may see themselves as ‘larger’ or ‘less attractive’ than they are, perpetuating dissatisfaction and low self-esteem.

References

1. Nicula M, Pellegrini D, Grennan L,  Bhatnagar N, McVey G, Couturier J. Help-seeking attitudes and behaviours among youth with eating disorders: a scoping review. Journal of Eating Disorders. 2022;10(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022- 00543-8
2. Koreshe E, Paxton S, Miskovic-Wheatley J, et al. Prevention and early intervention in eating disorders: findings from a rapid review. Journal of Eating Disorders. 2023;11(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00758-3
3. Bahji A, Mazhar MN, Hudson CC, Nadkarni P, MacNeil BA, Hawken E. Prevalence of substance use disorder comorbidity among individuals with eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research. 2019;273:58-66. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.007