Community Resources

Resources

Jan 1

Written By Jude Goodwin

🌈 TransLifeline

In Canada, call 1-877-330-6366

Phone hotline operates M-F 10am-6pm Pacific time. All operators are trans or nonbinary.

Learn about their Hotline services here: Hotline - Trans Lifeline

🌈 Crisis Centre

Contact details for support through phone, text, or online chats can be found here: https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/get-support/crisis-lines/

Learn about the Crisis Centres’ services here: https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/

🌈 QCHAT Support Association

QCHAT offers free, confidential, and judgment-free peer support and resource referrals for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across British Columbia. Whether you're questioning your identity, navigating challenges, or just need a supportive ear, we’re here for you.

Text: 250-800-9036
Call: 1-855-956-1777
Chat Online: qchat.ca

Available: 6–9 PM Pacific time, Saturday – Thursday

🌈 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.

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

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.

www.qmunity.ca
Tel: 604-684-5307
email: reception@qmunity.ca

SENIORS AND AGING

See our Resources for 2SLGBTAiA+ Seniors here.

🌈 OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS

The Dogwood Monarchist Society, the non-profit society behind the Mother Court of Canada, the Imperial Court of Vancouver. Our primary mandate is to raise funds for registered LGBTQ+ charities in British Columbia as we provide safe, queer spaces for social-interaction to celebrate Vancouver’s drag community and their supporters.. https://dmsvancouver.com/

Inclusive Peoples Coalition Supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities in the Lower Mainland, BC (Canada) by connecting, organizing, and sharing information. Based in Surrey BC. https://inclusivepeoplescoalition.weebly.com/

Creative Diversity Friends Club - Private lessons, workshops and drop-in groups, for diverse creative souls of all ages to find connection and joy through creative arts. Neuroinclusive & 2SLGBTQ+ friendly. https://creativediversityfriends.ca/

H.I.M. (Health Initiative for Men) offers a diverse range of health programs and services aimed at improving the overall well-being of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) men, as well as gender-diverse individuals. Visit their website to sign up for the newsletter with events and more information. https://checkhimout.ca/

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/

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

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/

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/

2 Spirits of BC BC Indigenous 2SLGBTIQ+ Wellness Program https://2spiritsbc.com/

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/

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/

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. Dining Out for Life, Candy Grams, Project Empty Bowl, World AIDS Day Luncheon. 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 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. Bingo For Life, Art For Life - https://www.vancouverfriendsforlife.ca/

Ribbon Community formally 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 https://www.ribboncommunity.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/

🌈 NEWCOMERS

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/

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

SHER Vancouver Sher Vancouver is a non-profit society for LGBTQ+ South Asians and their friends, families and allies in Metro-Vancouver, BC. Home of the Survival Guide. http://www.shervancouver.com/

Foundation of Hope We support 2SLGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers, helping in the settlement and relocation of members of the LGBTQ+ community escaping persecution. http://foundationofhope.net/