NH Outright’s logo.
At a time when LGBTQ+ youth face unprecedented challenges, including targeted legislative attacks and discrimination, organizations like New Hampshire Outright play a crucial role in providing safe spaces, advocacy, and support. The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity (NHCJE) spoke with New Hampshire Outright’s Executive Director Heidi Carrington Heath and Education & Training Director Jessica Goff about their commitment to ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.
From Local Roots to Statewide Impact
Thirty-one years ago, a group of determined parents in New Hampshire’s Seacoast region came together at the University of New Hampshire to create resources for LGBTQ+ youth. While support for parents and adults was available, resources for younger individuals were scarce and the group was set to bridge that gap. This led to the foundation of Seacoast Outright, New Hampshire’s oldest LGBTQ+ organization. Today, the organization has rebranded as New Hampshire Outright to reflect its statewide reach and expanded focus.
“Our mission is to serve, support, and advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and families across New Hampshire,” said Heidi Carrington Heath, New Hampshire Outright’s Executive Director. “We also work in the legislative space as part of the statewide LGBTQ+ coalition, and we host Portsmouth Pride, which is one of our most known events.”
New Hampshire Outright also focuses on education and training, helping communities become more inclusive and affirming for LGBTQ+ individuals. “We’ve presented to educators, nonprofits, caregivers, businesses, and other community groups,” said Jessica Goff, Education & Training Director. “Our goal is to build knowledge of LGBTQ+ language, terms, and concepts in the community, and create an understanding of why it's so critical to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.”
An example of this work is explaining the systemic barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and promoting the use of pronouns and gender-neutral language, to ensure inclusivity. Their approach also includes training for mental health professionals. “In 2023, we launched the Queer Youth Resilience Project to train mental health clinicians across the state to be more well-equipped to care for the LGBTQ+ population,” added Goff.
“Our goal is to build knowledge of LGBTQ+ language, terms, and concepts in the community, and create an understanding of why it’s so critical to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.”
Creating Safe and Supportive Spaces
At the heart of the organization’s youth programming is Friday Night Group (FNG), a weekly peer support gathering for LGBTQ+ and allied middle and high schoolers held in Portsmouth. This space fosters joy, connection, and community for youth. For younger ages, the “Little Outrighters” group meets monthly, offering a parallel support group for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.
To broaden its reach, the organization also offers an online support space for youth aged 13-18, ensuring that even those who cannot attend in person can access a supportive community in a space that has safeguards and adult supervision. Recognizing the need to support LGBTQ+ individuals beyond their teen years, New Hampshire Outright plans to expand its impact in the year ahead.
“We’ve noticed that as kids graduate from our programming, there aren’t support groups targeting them unless they happen at college or elsewhere,” explained Heath. To fill this gap, the organization recently launched a young adult group in Portsmouth for ages 18-24, providing much-needed support for those aging out of youth programs.
Within schools, New Hampshire Outright also plays a pivotal role in promoting inclusion and understanding through the first statewide Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Network. These student-led groups create safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ students and their allies to connect, get support, and share resources.
The organization also partners with Waypoint NH to address housing instability and homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth, who have higher rates of housing issues than their straight and cisgender peers. “We run a group with Waypoint on the Seacoast and we’re moving it to Waypoint's Manchester office in 2025, as we’re seeing a growing need for this support in that area,” said Heath.
Legislative Challenges Negatively Impact LGBTQ+ Youth
“We are in a hard chapter for LGBTQ+ youth. . . There is a cost to them watching their personhood be debated and questioned publicly by the people in power who are supposed to protect them.”
As part of the statewide LGBTQ+ policy coalition convened by the ACLU, New Hampshire Outright advocates for protections and resources for LGBTQ+ youth and families. New Hampshire’s 2025 legislative session kicked off with at least 8 bills that are concerning for the LGBTQ+ community, according to a legislative tracker maintained by journalist Erin Reed, setting the tone for heightened legislative challenges. “We are in a hard chapter for LGBTQ+ youth,” lamented Heath. “I think it's going to be a year of risk mitigation, and understanding the makeup of legislators.”
Legislation and public discourse have a real, tangible impact on LGBTQ+ youth. “There is a cost to them watching their personhood be debated and questioned publicly by the people in power who are supposed to protect them,” said Heath.
According to 2024 data from The Trevor Project, 90% of LGBTQ+ youth reported that recent politics negatively impacted their well-being. Additionally, their U.S. National Survey further revealed that LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide risk with “39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year — including 46% of transgender and nonbinary young people. LGBTQ+ youth of color reported higher rates than White peers.”
Goff stresses that despite the statistics, LGBTQ+ youth are not inherently more at risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “Poor mental health outcomes among LGTBQ+ youth are a direct result of discrimination, harm, and feeling unseen and unheard,” she emphasized. “When our youth are loved, included, and supported, those rates drop.”
“Poor mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth are a direct result of discrimination, harm and feeling unseen and unheard. When our youth are loved, included, and supported, those rates drop.”
Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth to See a Thriving Future
Beyond peer support, representation plays a critical role in shaping how LGBTQ+ youth view themselves and their futures. “One in three LGBTQ+ youth, and half of trans and non-binary kids, don’t see themselves living to age 35,” noted Goff. “Part of our work is providing representation through our facilitators and other folks and to show kids models of what their lives can look like as adults.”
New Hampshire Outright’s PRISM program, part of a long-standing collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire, pairs queer and trans youth with queer/ trans or otherwise affirming adults, offering youth the chance to see role models who reflect their identities and experiences. "We're always looking to create more intergenerational space,” explained Heath. "We want our kids to know they can be whole and thriving not just at 20, but also at 50, 60, and beyond," said Heath.
By creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and advocating for their rights, New Hampshire Outright continues its vital work of ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued for who they are. Despite the challenges, Heidi and Jessica are optimistic and reenergized by the positive stories of LGTBQ+ youth they encounter every day. “Our kids are incredible—brave, resilient, and strong,” says Heath. “Their identity is their superpower.”
“Our kids are incredible– brave, resilient, and strong. Their identity is their superpower.”
How You Can Support LGBTQ+ Youth in New Hampshire
For more information or to get involved, visit New Hampshire Outright’s website. Supporting New Hampshire Outright’s mission is more important than ever. Here are a few ways to get involved:
Volunteer: Join as a facilitator or help with events.
Donate: Contributions directly fund programs, advocacy, and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Attend Events: Show your support by participating in community events, fundraisers, and trainings.
Advocate: Educate yourself and others about issues affecting LGBTQ+ youth, challenge misinformation, and amplify their voices in your circles.
About Heidi Carrington Heath
Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director at NH Outright
Heidi Carrington Heath is a dedicated non-profit leader with over a decade of experience in the LGBTQ+ movement, and passionate about creating a world where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. She has held roles with Phillips Exeter Academy, Family Equality Council, and MassEquality. She holds a BA from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, and a professional diploma from NYU. Outside of work, Heidi enjoys reading, live music, cooking for loved ones, and exploring New Hampshire’s Seacoast with her spouse and two cats, Moxie and Windsor.
About Jess Goff
Jessica Goff, Education & Training Director
Jess joined Seacoast Outright in 2021 as a University of New Hampshire MSW intern and stayed on after earning her Master’s in Social Work in May 2022. She holds a B.A. in Human Development from Rivier University, where she was treasurer of the GSA club. With experience in the nonprofit sector, Jess is dedicated to creating safer spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and the many communities with which they intersect. She lives in Concord, NH with her partner and cat, Zuzu. In her free time, Jess enjoys social justice activism and doing puzzles (in that order!).