2SLGBTQIA+ Community
2SLGBTQIA+ stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus other identities. Resources include support in mental health, educational sources, social spaces, and more.
2-1-1 is a free, confidential and 24/7 hotline for Canadians to access social support. Agents can provide information and resources regarding community outreach, social services, crisis intervention and more. Services are available in all provinces and in 150+ languages; these services can be accessed via phone, text, and website.
This is list of LGBTQ2S specific resources and referrals (Edmonton-Based).
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations provides prevention education and support for 2-Spirit, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit people living with or at risk for HIV and related co-infections in the Greater Toronto Area. Their work is based on indigenous philosophies of holistic health and wellness.
Advance is a community-led partnership to increase access and the use of priority health services among gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (cis and trans), and Two-Spirit people (GBT2Q) in Canada.
The CHEW Project provides free crisis support and counselling to 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the Edmonton area. Their drop-in centers prioritize a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. They also offer basic needs support, harm reduction, and community connections.
Crisis Support for 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians
It Gets Better Canada’s complete list of crisis support resources for all provinces. The database includes hotlines, counselling and community outreach programs, among others.
Community One Foundation has grants and awards to provide funding for foster leadership in the 2SLGBTTIQ+ communities of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), and help cultivate new services and programs in the areas of health and social sciences, arts and culture, and research, education and advocacy.
This is an introductory guide provided by California’s Queer Ally Program into 2SLGBTQIA+ allyship. It provides examples of common heterosexual privileges, as well as the harmful effects of homophobia and questions for self-reflection.
YWCA Canada is a leading voice for women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people. For 150 years, they have been at the forefront of a movement: to fight gender-based violence, build affordable housing and advocate for workplace equity.
Flags of Inequality visualizes European countries’ current status regarding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and equality. While some countries have made more progress than others, none of the flags have achieved equal representation.
Fred Victor is a registered charity dedicated to tackling the homelessness crisis in Toronto. Their programs provide access to affordable and transitional housing, as well as homeless and emergency shelters in the area. They also offer food support, healthcare services, and employment training programs.
The University of Alberta’s Fyrefly Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on 2SLGBTQI+ outreach and empowerment. They provide a number of research-based programs within the community, which prioritize acceptance, education and independence.
Gender Affirming Care in Nova Scotia
The GACNS is a community organization in Nova Scotia, working to provide 2SLGBTQI+ individuals with the education and resources they need to access gender affirming care.
Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services
The Institute for Sexual Minority Studies & Services (iSMSS) provides educational programs and services to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies. They direct services from mental health support to 2SLGBTQ+ education to the community.
Lulu's Lodge is an 5-bedroom supportive transitional home that is available for youth aged 16-21. Self referrals here are accepted.
Northern Mosaic Network As an organization, the Northern Mosaic Network strives to make communities in the Northwest Territories a safer, more open, more knowledgeable place for all 2SLGBTQIPA+ people and their allies.
Nova Scotia Emergency Shelters
There are two emergency shelters Shelter Nova Scotia offers. Barry House, a 17 bed for gender diverse individuals or individuals who identify as female. Then, there is Metro Turning Point, a 30-bed for individuals who are gender diverse or are male.
OK2BME offers a wide range of programs available to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Some of their programs include counselling and community support, workshops, music therapy and other supports for neurodivergency and ongoing transitions. Many of their services have both in-person and online support, so they are accessible to individuals across Canada.
To uplift 2SLGBTQ people by leading, serving, and supporting in a dynamic community, OUTSaskatoon fosters physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health through intentional services and meaningful engagement.
pflag Canada is a charitable nonprofit focused on understanding, education and advocacy. Founded by parents who wanted to learn more about supporting their 2SLGBTQI+ children, pflag’s services are open to allies, families and 2SLGBTQI+ Canadian residents.
Anti-oppressive, Intersectional, Transformational.: They’re on a mission to reshape the political landscape to advance the priorities of young Black, Indigenous, and racialized women and gender-diverse youth. By centring the lived experiences of marginalized young women and gender-diverse youth in our work, they created a platform to amplify issues and solutions that are often dismissed within civic and political institutions.
Pride guide 2022: Youth strategies for tackling gender-based violence in our schools
The purpose of this guide is to present a collection of by-youth strategies that address some of the most common challenges in navigating the physical, psychological, and emotional spaces within high schools. This guide for students also features a glossary of many commonly used terms and acronyms within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Project 10 works to promote the personal, social, sexual, and mental wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and adults through advocacy and education. This website is available in two languages: English and Français.
Provincial Resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth
The PDF that is presented relates to the different types of housing models that are present, and can help provide further info on which type of housing models will be more appropriate for individual needs/circumstances. As there are no specific LGBTQ2S+ housing programs in Canada, it can be difficult to track down & find specific non-profits that have clear housing programs laid out.
QMUNITY is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives. It provides a safer space for LGBTQ2SAI+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included. Its building serves as a catalyst for community initiatives and collective strength.
This is a safe space to explore sexual orientation and gender identity alongside issues with oppression and trauma.
This is an ongoing online project to preserve pre-2010 online spaces. The QDHP lists documents relating to LGBTQ+ life. The resource includes personal essays, archival material, editorial columns, etc. It showcases key individuals who have made an impact in the development of digital platforms.
Rainbow Railroad is a humanitarian and crisis support organization, based in Canada and the USA. One of their main priorities is the safe relocation of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals facing state-sponsored violence and severe oppression. They also offer a variety of support and protection programs to individuals worldwide.
The Rainbow Resource Centre has been serving the 2SLGBTQ+ residents of Manitoba for over 50 years. Their range of programs are accessible for participants of all ages, including specific programming for youth and adults aged 55+. They prioritize social support, counselling, education and accessibility.
This site has safety planning resources for people experiencing abuse, materials on healing from trauma, and information on healthy relationships/sexuality. If you identify as trans or non-binary and you are currently in an abusive relationship or have experienced trauma in your past, this site can help.
Responding to Sexism, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Here are some tips for parents and educators of younger children when responding to sexism, homophobia, and transphobia.
Support And Education For Trans Youth Ottawa
SAEFTY Ottawa fosters spaces for trans and gender diverse children, youth, and adults, along with their families to connect with each other through youth-centred events outside of mainstream health and social services in the Ottawa region.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the LGBTQ+ Community
Article: This study evaluated how COVID has impacted health, social, and occupational areas of functioning of the LGBTQ+ community. Participants were asked how COVID has impacted their life circumstances (i.e., physical health, mental health, financial stability, meeting basic needs, and social connectedness). Compared to cisgender, heterosexual people, significantly more cisgender sexual minority people reported worsening physical health, and significantly more gender minority people reported worsening of all outcomes.
The QUILTBAG is a queer & Metis-owned retail shop, specializing in accessories and art created by the local 2SLGBTQI+ community. Their brick and mortar store is accessible and open to all ages, and they offer options for discreet online shipping. Local artists can inquire about their works being available in the shop.
The Trans Lifeline is a bilingual, international peer support hotline for transgender individuals. The hotline is operated by trans people; they work hard to ensure an accepting and understanding experience for those seeking crisis support.
Trevor Space is a online community of young 2SLGBTQ+ individuals (ages 13-24). They provide an affirming virtual environment to explore complex identities and engage unique interests.
What is Heterosexism and What Can I do About It?
This article discusses the term heterosexism and how male-female relationships are considered the norm. There is still much work to do to achieve equity for members of the LGBTQ community. There are ideas on what you can do to make a difference.
What Does the Word “Queer” Actually Mean? Experts Explain Its History _ Cosmopolitan 2022
This 2024 Cosmopolitan article explores the word ‘queer’ and its relation to a spectrum of sexual orientations, gender identities and lifestyles. The article examines the word’s history as an insult, and its evolution into an empowered 2SLGBTQIA+ global community.
Their mission is to make Nova Scotia a safer, healthier, and happier place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and youth through support, education, resource expansion and community development.
Read, Watch, & Learn
Flee (Movie)
Movie: In FLEE, filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen tells a poignant story of belonging and the search for identity. Amin’s life has been defined by his past and a secret he’s kept for over 20 years. Forced to leave his home country of Afghanistan as a young child with his mother and siblings, Amin now grapples with how his past will affect his future in Denmark and the life he is building with his soon-to-be husband. Told brilliantly through the use of animation to protect his identity, Amin looks back over his life, opening up for the first time about his past, his trauma, the truth about his family, and his acceptance of his own sexuality.
How We Fight for Our Lives (Book by Saeed Jones)
How We Fight for Our Lives is a coming-of-age memoir about a young, gay, black man from the South as he fights to make a place for himself in the world he lives in. We are given insight into his relationships with his family, lovers, and friends that readers can relate to, as we all face the same fight to become ourselves.
Making Gay History (Podcast)
This nonprofit organization, Making Gay History, brings LGBTQ+ history to life through the voices of those who lived through it. Their podcast explores decades-old rare interviews from Eric Marcus to create intimate and personal portraits of dozens of champions, heroes, and witnesses to history. With 11 seasons and a different historical figure interviewed in each episode, there are many unique people to learn about in this podcast.
Milk (Movie directed by Gus Van Sant)
This biographical film is based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California.
The State of Healthcare for LGBTQIA+ Patients (Video)
In this TEDx talk, Cameron speaks on the need for bettering health care for rainbow communities. He discusses the difficulties that people in the LGBTQ+ community face trying to access good quality medical care from doctors that is unique to their needs. He also discusses the stigma around coming out to medical professionals, and what people, especially medical professionals, can do to help fix this problem.
Why LGBTQ+ Should be Taught in Schools (Video)
In this TEDx talk, Dakota speaks about why she feels it is important that students are educated on what it means to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community and their struggles. She opens up about her and her friend's experiences and how a more inclusive and representative education would improve their school experience. Dakota brings a unique perspective to the issue and encourages everyone to accept the people around them for who they are.
Power in Numbers
13
Volunteer Opportunities
44
Total Resources
