Mutual support groups whose meetings take place in local community settings, usually on a weekly or monthly basis, enabling participants to have face-to-face contact with other people. In-person support groups generally have scheduled meeting times, closed membership and professional leadership; and may feature speakers and activities.

Mutual support groups that schedule virtual "meetings" via the Internet. Included are groups using video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet (which emulate a person-to-person meeting using real-time video and audio streaming), e-mail listserv groups (which distribute posted messages to participants via e-mail), bulletin/message boards (whose postings are restricted to people who register), newsgroups (whose postings are unrestricted and open) and chat groups (which permit real time discussion) that are devoted to providing support for participants around a particular issue. Internet support groups are generally available around the clock; and are convenient for people with limited mobility, serious health issues or transportation problems, who don't have time for face-to-face meetings, or who simply wish to maintain their privacy and remain anonymous. They may be the only option for individuals with rare disorders or other unusual problems who are unlikely to find enough people in their local area to form a support group. Internet support groups may be monitored by professionals, but most are not.

Mutual support groups whose members identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit or as part of other communities such as those in the process of coming out or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. Groups may also be structured for parents, children, heterosexual partners or other relatives or significant others. The groups provide an opportunity for members to share their issues and concerns with others in a safe, supportive environment. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Individuals who are generally between the ages of 18 and 25 depending on the ages that specific programs use for qualification.

The parents, children, heterosexual spouses or partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning.

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity is not in harmony with their birth assignment, or who experience their gender identity as radically different from what is expected of a "man" or "woman". It includes but is not limited to people who identify as transgender, trans woman, trans man, transsexual, gender non-conforming, gender variant, gender queer or pangender. Many communities live under this umbrella but there is no single or universal experience of what it means to be trans (a word used interchangeably with "transgender").