2SLGBTQ+ External Resources (Outside of TMU)
For students/clients looking for care:
Navigating healthcare as a 2SLGBTQ+ person can take time and advocacy to find affirming, competent, and safe care. We have provided these options but we recommend doing your own vetting. Ask local queer and trans community groups or use social media/Discord (or “word of mouth”) to find providers and discern who feels the right fit for you.
Some general questions to ask providers are:
- What training have you had related to queer and trans healthcare?
- How long have you been working with queer and/or trans people?
Check in with your sense of comfort and remember you are entitled to receive care that feels safe - so trust your judgment.
Counselling Supports:
1. HQ Mental Health Services (external link) – free counselling groups and access to psychiatry for cis men who are into men, 2-Spirit, trans and nonbinary folks
2. 519 (external link) – offers groups, counselling, programs for 2SLGBTQ communities in Toronto
3. Sherbourne Health – SOY programming (external link) many drop-in groups, programming and mentorship that are trans-specific or more broadly offered to 2SLGBTQ folks
4. Friends of Ruby (external link) – offers drop in space, ongoing counselling, case management to youth 16-29 and transitional housing for 2SLGBTQ youth aged 16-19
5. FST program - David Kelley Services (external link) offers short term counselling for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, families and couples and, runs an online peer support group for 2STNB+ folks ages 16-29
6. CTYS – pride and prejudice program (external link) offers individual or family counselling for youth 12-24 and the Families in Transition program
7. LGBT Youthline (external link) – free, confidential peer support phone line and chat for 2SLGBTQ+ communities
8. Trans Lifeline (external link) (Canada-wide): 1-877-330-6366 offers trans peer support via phone (11am to 5am EST)
Medical Care
1. LOFT – Bloom program (external link) supporting people 18+ who wish to engage in hormonal and/or surgical gender transition. *Services are available for trans people living with mental health and substance use issues and/or who are experiencing homelessness.
2. SAFER SIX – primarily a sexual health (external link) clinic that also offers Gender affirming medical care (external link) , provides gender-affirming surgical assessments (external link) (1st and secondary assessments), they house the Gender Affirming Aesthetics Clinic (external link) who provide services like laser hair removal and other feminizing and masculinizing non-surgical procedures.
3. FORIA (external link) – virtual gender-affirming care. Free if you live in Northwestern Ontario, but otherwise there are fees for service in southern Ontario.
4. A.S. ELECTROLYSIS & LASER CLINIC (external link) - located in Toronto above the Carrot Common at 320 Danforth Avenue, Suite 203 (near Chester Subway Station). They share they are an 2SLGBTQ+ positive space and have supported the trans communities for 25 years.
5. Bluebird Laser (external link) - located in Toronto on Augusta (Kensington Market area). They offer lower cost rates for trans clients where cost is a barrier.
Gender-affirming Voice Coaching
2. https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/service-provider-directory/voice-by-kylie/ (external link)
Shelter / Housing
1. 519 – Pacewood (external link) Shelter - shelter dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers who have arrived through a refugee pathway. The space prioritizes trans, gender diverse and non-binary folks.
2. YMCA Sprott House (external link) - 2SLGBTQIA+ transitional housing program for youth 16-24 years, who are homeless or under housed, providing case management, skills development, programming and supportive services.
3. Friends of Ruby Transitional housing (external link) : - offers transitional housing for 2SLGBTQ youth aged 16-29.
Social Supports
1. 519 (external link) – groups, counselling, programs for 2SLGBTQ communities in Toronto.
2. Sherbourne Health – SOY programming (external link) many drop-in groups and programming and mentorship that are trans-specific or more broadly offered to 2SLGBTQ folks
3. Planned Parenthood Toronto (PPT) - TEACH (external link) program trains peer facilitators, ages 16-25, to lead anti-homophobia workshops that encourage participants to think critically about homophobia and cisheteronormativity in our communities. Youth Futures (external link) is a QTBIPOC 6 month bi-weekly community-building workshop series. NBD (external link) is non-binary BIPOC drop-in.