Community Resources
RIGHT TO BE - Tell Your Story
Right To Be's storytelling platform is a safe space where you can share your harassment story, get support, and help others experiencing harassment. Sharing your story contributes to the collective building of a better world where everyone has the Right To Be who they are, wherever they are. https://stories.righttobe.org/
Qmunity – BC’s Queer Resource Centre
Improving queer and trans lives through services, connection and leadership. We offer: information and referrals; diversity training and consulting services; all ages events and drop-in programming; counselling and social support groups; volunteer and practicum opportunities; community meeting space.
Also home to the Bute Street Clinic (run by BCCDC), which offers free and anonymous STI/HIV testing for the LGBTQQS community; Staffed opening hours 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, after hours bookings upon request.
Free Counselling - QMUNITY’S free counselling program is offered by Masters level counselling placement students. Counselling clients are eligible to receive up to 10 weekly sessions. Counselling is focused on health, wellness, community building, reducing isolation, and minimizing the impact of problematic thoughts.
QMUNITY’s new low-cost counselling program is offered by professional counsellors who have completed their counselling placements at QMUNITY and are now registered professionals. Counselling clients self-select to pay at rates of: $60 Accessible - $70 Standard - $80 Generous For more information https://buff.ly/2u1JRPZ
www.qmunity.ca
Tel: 604-684-5307
email: reception@qmunity.ca
2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurses - A new service within Island Health. The primary goals of the service are to have a member of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community involved in our healthcare in the hospital and to promote a physically, psychologically, and culturally safe perspective for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the hospital for any reason. Ultimately, we hope this program will help reduce the harms to 2SLGBTQIA+ people and improve access to care. The website below has a referral form that patients or community members can use to access this service: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/diversity-equity-inclusion-services/2slgbtqia-liaison-nurses
Seniors Community
Living With Pride Foundation
Our goal is to advance the availability of housing and services to our 2SLQBTQIA+ seniors in Vancouver. Empowering 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors through inclusive housing, services, and community events. Fostering dignity, equality, and social connection. Building a stronger, inclusive society where every 2SLGBTQIA+ senior can access the resources they need to thrive.
https://livingwithpride.ca/
Queerness and Aging in YVR
An article exploring resources for senior queers in Vancouver
https://whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-bc-stories/queer-senior-vancouver
Dignity Seniors
Dignity Seniors is led by 2SLGTBQI+ seniors, and we work towards increasing supports for 2SLGTBQI+ Seniors throughout BC through research, advocacy and community partnerships. Resources, events and more can be found on their site.
https://www.dignityseniors.org/
Dignity Seniors is looking for Volunteers
https://www.dignityseniors.org/opportunities-1
Quirk-E - A queer imaging and writing collective
QMUNITY’s Older Adults and Seniors programs https://qmunity.ca/get-support/olderadults/
West End Seniors Network http://wesn.ca/
Vancouver LGBTQ+ GROUP - Support and resources for LGBTQ+ immigrants, youth, families, and seniors. Wednesdays at 5:30-7 PM Ages 14+ For information, call MHHS at 604-879-3277 or email Edmond at edmondl@helpinghouse.org DROP-INS WELCOME. Multicultural Helping House Society at 4802 Fraser Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5V 4H4, Canada. helpinghouse.org
LGBTQ Dignity Project - Our project is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Gender and Health. Our goal is to improve the conditions today’s older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit (LGBTQI2S) individuals face when they enter long-term care. https://www.lgbtqi2sdignityproject.ca/
BC Care Providers Association - Together with our partners, BC Care Providers Association and EngAge BC are working with seniors’ living and wellness operators to help improve LGBTQ2+ competency across the sector. https://bccare.ca/aging-with-pride/
SFU LGBT End-of-Life Conversations website - Providing LGBT persons and their service providers with tools that will empower them to take positive action in regards to end-of-life planning. http://www.sfu.ca/lgbteol.html
OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS
JQT Vancouver (pronounced J-Cutie) is a volunteer-run Jewish Queer and Trans charitable non-profit dedicated to "queering" Jewish spaces and "Jew-ifying" Queer spaces through education, dialogue, art, cultural celebration and partnerships in Vancouver, BC, on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. https://www.jqtvancouver.ca/
Island Queers Giving to local groups supporting Island queers. We are a group of volunteers on Vancouver Island fundraising to support community non-profit initiatives.
https://www.islandqueers.ca/
Queer Cohabs Empowering two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & queer folks with legal information https://queercohabs.mailchimpsites.com/
2 Spirits of BC BC Indigenous 2SLGBTIQ+ Wellness Program https://2spiritsbc.com/
Health Initiative for Men With five health centres throughout the Lower Mainland, Health Initiative for Men is a non-profit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being of gay men. https://checkhimout.ca/about-him/
DIVERSEcity Serving Surrey, Langley, Delta and White Rock. At DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, we empower newcomers and other diverse communities to build the life they want in Canada. Our free, multilingual programs and services in language, settlement, employment and counselling provide them with a foundation of information, skills and connections to achieve their goals. https://www.dcrs.ca/
SHER Vancouver Sher Vancouver is a non-profit society for LGBTQ+ South Asians and their friends, families and allies in Metro-Vancouver, BC. http://www.shervancouver.com/
Sher Vancouver’s A survival guide for queer newcomers and students in Metro Vancouver Free Survival Guide - >
UNYA's 2-Spirit Collective
Support, resources, and programming for Indigenous youth, ages 15 to 30, who identify as 2-spirit or LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender non-conforming, along with many other identities), and for those who are questioning their sexual or gender identities. https://unya.bc.ca/programs/2-spirit-collective/
Chilliwack Gender Support
Peer-led transgender support groups in Chilliwack, BC. Providing a safe, supportive environment for trans identifying & gender non conforming people of all ages & their families. http://gendersupportnetwork.com/#about-1
Coming Out - Sex & U
Once you have accepted your own sexual orientation and gender identity, you may want to share this news with others in your life. https://www.sexandu.ca/lgbttq/coming-out/
Queer Undefined
QueerUndefined.com is a crowd-sourced LGBTQ+ dictionary. It has personal and nuanced definitions of queer terminology. Anyone can submit a definition to share their view, so a variety of perspectives are represented. So far it has over 500 definitions and it's gotten over 4,500 visitors! http://QueerUndefined.com
Richmond Multicultural Community Services(RMCS) in BC
RMCS is a non-profit organization in Richmond BC and the LGBTQ2S+ Program is funded by IRCC(formerly CIC). This program aims to help new immigrants (Permanent Residents/Protected Persons) to have a smooth journey settling in Canada. However, everyone is welcome in this program. The program offers 1 on 1 virtual support and counselling plus group sessions. All services are FREE! For info contact Martin Feng Zhang martin@rmcs.bc.ca
Rainbow Refugee Committee (RRC)
Founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee Committee (RRC) is a Vancouver based community group that supports people seeking refugee protection because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Rainbow Refugee Committee engages in outreach and public education on QLGBT/HIV+ refugee issues. RRC is member driven and all volunteer. http://www.rainbowrefugee.ca/
Foundation of Hope
Starting with a small group who co-sponsored two gay Syrian refugees, the Rainbow Foundation of Hope is now a registered charity with a board of directors that provides financial aid to other charities supporting LGBTQ2+ refugees and asylum seekers. Participate in STRUT, their annual flagship fundraiser, or donate online to support their efforts.
Signature event: STRUT Walkathon
Web: http://foundationofhope.net/
McLaren Housing Society of BC
Founded in 1987. McLaren Housing was the first HIV/AIDS housing provider in Canada. The organization began as a private residence offering accommodation to 5 people and has expanded to provide innovative housing options and support services to over 280 people in 260 homes in British Columbia. We work with low-income individuals and families who are living with HIV/AIDS and are homeless or inadequately housed. http://mclarenhousing.com/
A Loving Spoonful
In 1989, after witnessing a once-successful lawyer who lost his job due to his HIV status eating out of a dumpster, founder Easter Armas began to provide meals and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Twenty years on, A Loving Spoonful has served over 100,000 meals and relies on donations, as well as a successful series of signature events to supplement its programs
Signature events: Dining Out for Life, Candy Grams, Project Empty Bowl, World AIDS Day Luncheon
Web: http://www.alovingspoonful.org/
Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation
A legacy of Dr. Peter Jepson-Young, who documented his journey with HIV/AIDS on a CBC television series before his death in 1992, The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation is a world-renowned leader that raises funds to support HIV day health care programs, as well as a live-in resident care program at the Dr. Peter Centre, which opened in Vancouver’s West End in 1993.
Signature events: Passions, Pride Cocktail Kickoff, World AIDS Day, Art For Life
Web: https://www.drpeter.org/
Friends For Life
The Vancouver Friends for Life Society began in 1993 as wellness centre in Vancouver’s West End, providing holistic and wellness programs for people and their families living with life-challenging illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and cancer. Attending their weekly Bingo For Life with Carlotta Gurl at Mary’s On Davie is a great way to help them raise funds, or you can donate directly online.
Signature events: Bingo For Life, Art For Life
Web: https://www.vancouverfriendsforlife.ca/
AIDS Vancouver
Canada’s first HIV/AIDS service organization began in 1983 in response to the growing AIDS epidemic at the time. Over thirty years later, AIDS Vancouver continues to be a world leader in HIV prevention, education, and provides a wide range of services and programs that include an HIV Help Line, a Supplemental Grocery Program, Financial Assistance Fund, and more.
Signature events: National HIV Testing Day, Red Ribbon Gala, AIDS Candlelight Memorial, World AIDS Day Red Ribbon Awards
Web: https://www.aidsvancouver.org/
Vancouver Canada Polyamory
Welcome to Vanpoly, a resource for the polyamorous community in Vancouver, BC, Canada and the surrounding area. Polyamory – or poly for short – involves openness to multiple loving relationships, with honesty, openness, and consent among all partners. It's not better or easier than maintaining entirely monogamous relationships, but can be the "right" way for some people. http://www.vanpoly.ca/