LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer. It is also used as a shorthand for longer acronyms like LGBTQ2SIA, which includes people who identify as queer or questioning, two-spirit, intersex, and asexual or aromantic.
People in the LGBTQ community can have more physical and mental health needs, in part because of the stress of living with discrimination. Below are crisis services, groups, and informational websites you may find helpful.
The Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT) gave a presentation at the RHO (Rainbow Health Organization) Conference on the work the HFHT Positive Committee has done to create positive spaces within our Family Health Team.
Support groups such as knitting nook, lesbian and bi peer support group, social circle, and yoga. Available for women ages 16 years and up.
AFFIRM is a skills group for youth identifying as LGBTQ+ or questioning. Youth will learn to develop different ways of thinking and behaving that affirm their identities while integrating healthy ways of coping with internal/external stressors.
You can register by going to the Project Youth AFFIRM website.
AFFIRM is an evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group and is offered in partnership with the University of Toronto (Dr. Shelley Craig - Developer of the program), supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada and delivered at two sites in Hamilton, with the Hamilton Family Health Team holding groups for youth age 14-18 and the North Hamilton Community Health Centre for young adults age 19-29.
An organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ individuals struggling with substance abuse into recovery. We feel that quality content is key in providing those struggling with addiction and their parents, families, and friends with educational information on how to get help.
Trans Community Health (TCH) is a twice-monthly clinic for trans and gender non-conforming individuals. The physician at the clinic - Dr. Siobhan Callaghan - will facilitate gender transitioning and hormone therapy for anyone 16 years and older.
The Hamilton-Wentworth chapter of PFLAG Canada is a community resource providing support, information and education, and community to people around issues of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation -- their own, and those of others.
Trans Peer Support provides confidential information, advocacy, and meetings to assist transgendered and gender non-conforming folks and their allies.
Students, friends, family, supports, alumni, and other community members are all welcome can join and give their support.
Resources, referrals, and support to the LGBTQ community at McMaster as well as in the Hamilton community. There is a bimonthly meeting for people who are not comfortable entering the centre, and an online message board available year round for support.
The GLBT Youth Support Group gives non-judgmental resources and support to youth who are struggling with their sexual orientation and looking for safe place to discuss and work through distress. Meetings are about once a month.
The New Generation Youth Centre is an inclusive, positive space where young people are supported to develop leadership, work together, and build community.
Visit NGen's Programs page for more information about offerings at the Centre. The "Kaleidoscope" and "Support Around Gender" groups will offer LGBT youth a chance to connect with others and gain support.
Confidential and anonymous peer support for people with concerns about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Contact the AIDS committee of Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo Area for more information about this group.
Group meets Tuesday evenings at a pre-arranged location. Call for meeting times and locations.
Face-to-face and telephone peer support for lesbians with cancer, as well as support for their partners and caregivers.
A community based organization committed to recognizing and responding to the stigma and challenges posed by HIV and AIDS on individuals and communities through education, support and outreach.
Counselling and psychotherapy services from professionals who state they have LGBTQ competency.
Located in downtown Toronto, the Sherbourne Health Centre offers a wide variety of culturally appropriate LGBT healthcare programs and services in a welcoming and safe environment.
Professional, short-term, individual, couple and family counselling to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer. Group services and educational forums are offered from time to time.
Support services that empower men, women and youth living with HIV to achieve self-determination, informed decision-making, independence, and overall well-being. They provide counselling, information provision, social support activities and programs that help people with HIV return to work.
Located in the heart of the Church and Wellesley Village, the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives is the second largest LBGT archive in the world. It offers a permanent collection of archived materials and a research library, as well as regular special exhibitions.
Prime Timers Toronto is a diverse group of gay and bisexual men over 40 who gather in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational and recreational activities.
The Toronto Bisexual Network is a community where bisexuals and people questioning their sexuality can share diverse perspectives on bisexual issues and experiences. They offer support, a social network, information and referrals.
Women for Recreation, Information & Business is one of Toronto's largest groups of lesbians, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered women, offering social, informational and business events to its members and the community.
Sunshine Centres for Seniors is an LGBT-inclusive charity which seeks out isolated and frail seniors who are at risk for depression, connecting them to a supportive community.
Senior Peoples' Resources in North Toronto (SPRINT) An LGBT-inclusive non-profit agency which provides practical and affordable services to help older adults (55+) and adults with disabilities live at home safely and as independently as possible.
Positive Spaces provides community links to find organizations across Ontario who provide resources, and referral links to doctors, medical clinics, counsellors and lawyers in the GTA.
The LGBTQ Settlement Network is a network made up of community organizations and community members in Toronto and surrounding areas that provide services to and/or advocate for LGBTQ+ newcomers.
Expressive Arts groups for LGBTQ newcomers, immigrants and refugees of all genders are run twice a year, and all of our other Expressive Arts groups are open to all women, including lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer women.
Helping all Canadians who are struggling with issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. PFLAG Canada supports, educates and provides resources to parents, families, friends and colleagues with questions or concerns.
The Pink Pages is a directory and source of friendly businesses and services catering to the gay, lesbian, trans, bi, and queer community in the Greater Toronto Area.
Rainbow Health Ontario is a province-wide program that works to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Ontario through education, research, outreach and public policy advocacy.
Centre for Disease Control provides health resources for LGBTQ people and their friends, parents, and educators.
Mind your Mind is a mental health website for youth (not LGBT-specific).
Healthcare guidelines from Sherbourne Health Centre for transgender, transsexual, gender non-conforming, and gender questioning clients. Different medical treatment plans and psychosocial supports are offered depending on the needs and goals of the individual client.
A toolkit to help organizations become more inclusive of their trans* clients, staff and volunteers. Developed by The Canadian AIDS Society and the Trans* Community Advisory Committee. A French version of the toolkit is also available.
Do you know of a resource that could be helpful to LGBTQ patients or health care providers? Please email Sabrena Dorris or call 905-667-4848 ext. 105.