2SLGBTQ+ Community Resources

The following resources have been compiled in collaboration with MAX Ottawa. This is a living list that will be updated and edited as needed to reflect the resources that are available in the National Capital Region for 2SLGBTQ+ folks. If you have any additions or edits to suggest please email [email protected].

  • Community Organizations

    • MAX OttawaMAX Ottawa provides community support, education and health services for men who are into men. They also provide education and support for men with HIV/AIDS and provide community support to help stop the stigma.
    • AIDS Committee of OttawaThe AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) provides support, prevention, education and outreach services from an integrated, anti-racism, anti-oppression social justice framework that promotes the holistic well-being of those living with, affected by, impacted by and at risk of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa.
    • Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual DiversityThe CCGSD offers workshops for youth, trans resources, teaching resources and more resources for youth and community organizations across Canada.
    • Capital Rainbow RefugeCapital Rainbow Refuge can provide help to LGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers in Eastern Ontario who are looking to connect with community services or supports. It also provides a toolkit to support refugee claims.
    • Franco QueerFranco Queer is an organization for 2SLGBT+ francophones in Ontario and outside of Quebec. They offer services for migrants and newcomers, social spaces, and more.
    • Kind SpaceKind Space offers a physical space for 2SLGBTQ+ folks to have a safe space to be and receive community support. Kind Space offers workshops and programming for youth, an online resource list, a community library and more.
    • Wisdom 2 ActionWisdom 2 Action provides capacity building, mental health awareness, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and support, community engagement and more support for organizations to build safer community spaces, and increase their capacity to serve their communities.

  • Employment Services

    • IO AdvisoryDr. Helen Ofuso is the career coach at the IO Advisory. The Doctor has a background in psychology and provides career counseling, executive counseling, and HR counseling for her clients as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and anti-racism resources. The IO Advisory is also a member of the Dapper and Daring 2SLGBTQ+ Directory.
    • Youth Services BureauYSB Employment Services offers job seekers of all ages support to prepare for the job market and find employment. YSB Employment Services is part of the Employment Ontario network, delivering services in Ottawa.

  • Healthcare Resources

    • BIPOC Women’s Health NetworkThe BIPOC Women’s Health Network provides gender affirming care and culturally sensitive 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare.
    • Centretown Community Health CentreThe Centretown Community Health Centre provides various culturally sensitive 2SLGBTQ+ mental health, and healthy living programming.
    • GetAKit.caGetAKit.ca is an Ottawa-based online resource which provides free HIV self-test kits that can be delivered to your home.
    • GoodheadAn online mental health resource for gay, bisexual, queer and questioning and other guys into guys.
    • Ottawa Public Health Sexual Health ClinicThe Ottawa Public Health Sexual Health Clinic offers a range of services and supports including information on sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) and contraception; free testing and treatment for STBBIs; confidential or anonymous HIV testing, emergency contraception, affordable contraception (for those that qualify); pregnancy testing and information about options; and other immunizations and vaccines.
    • Planned Parenthood OttawaPlanned Parenthood is a pro-choice organization supporting informed sexual and reproductive health choice through education, counselling, information and referral services.
    • The Gay ZoneThe Gay Zone provides GBTQ2+ health and wellness support with STI testing, yoga, access to Prep and Pep, anonymous HIV testing and more to support wellness and build community.
    • Trans Health OttawaTrans Health Ottawa exists to support trans and gender diverse community members so they can navigate transition-related and general health services in the Champlain region (Ottawa and surrounding areas). This site also brings together pertinent information and resources for health and social service providers, including information on transition-related healthcare, provision of inclusive care and local educational opportunities.

  • Housing and Shelter

    • Bruce HouseBruce House brings hope, housing and support to individuals and families impacted by HIV in Ottawa and area through a variety of outreach and support programs.
    • Operation Come Home Operation Come Home is an employment, education, and support centre for homeless and at-risk youth age 16 and up. Our programs focus on what works and what matters to youth, as well as encourage personal growth of everyone as an individual. Operation Come Home is based in Ottawa, Ontario.
    • Youth Services BureauThe Youth Services Bureau offers emergency shelter, transitional and long-term housing services for youth ages 16-20.
    • Black Femme LegalBlack Femme Legal is a Black femme led organization offering a workplace toolkit in support of Black queer and trans women, femmes, and gender non-conforming folks in Ontario. They also offer other resources, including support resources and legal resources.
    • Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC)The HRLSC offers legal advice pertaining to the Human Rights Code to anyone in Ontario regardless of age, income, immigration status, etc. They offer free and confidential legal advice through their phone lines to anyone who has experienced human rights violations.
    • Legal Aid OntarioLegal Aid Ontario provides legal aid services for those who are financially eligible. They cover issues pertaining to criminal law, family law, mental health legal issues, and immigration and refugee law.
    • University of Ottawa’s Community Legal ClinicUniversity of Ottawa’s student-run legal clinic offers free services and case management in Ottawa. Must be financially and geographically eligible. Drop-in three times a week.

  • Mental Health Resources (Indigenous)

  • Mental Health Resources (National)

    • 988 - National Suicide Prevention HelplineCall or text 9-8-8 if you are feeling like you have lost hope and are struggling to cope, if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or if you are worried about someone else. When you reach out, a trained responder will listen without judgement, provide support and understanding, and can tell you about resources that will help.
    • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)Call 416-525-8501 and press 2; services available from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
    • Kids Help PhoneText “CONNECT” to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868
    • LGBT YouthlineText 647-694-4275 or call 1-800-268-9688
    • Trans LifelineCall 877-330-6366

  • Mental Health Resources (Local)

    • Centretown Community Health Centre
    • Good2TalkGood2Talk provides free, confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia
    • Ligne québécoise de prévention du suicideCall 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553).
    • Mental Health Crisis LineFor people aged 16 and older: 613-722-6914.
    • Ottawa Distress CentreFor all ages: 613-238-3311
    • Ottawa Youth Services Bureau (YSB)For caregivers and youth under 18: 613-260-2360.
    • Outaouais Crisis Intervention Services
    • Regional Coordinated Access for Mental Health and AddictionsHelping you access the services you need in eastern Ontario Looking for support for your mental health, substance use health and addictions? Navigating the complex and sometimes confusing healthcare system can be challenging. We can help.
    • Tel-Aide OutaouaisCall 819-775-3223.

  • Parents and Family Resources

    • Families in Transition Program (Ten Oaks Project)The Families in Transition Program is a 10-week group that meets once per week for 2 hours over zoom that provides parents with gender identity and trans issues, strategies for improving communication and connection with trans/gender questioning young people, and general support in parenting a trans/gender-questioning youth.
    • Shaping Parenthood Program (Ten Oaks Project)Shaping Parenthood will offer a space to talk, connect, share, and learn about a specific topic related to shaping 2SLGBTQ+ families. Unless otherwise specified, meetings are open to everyone and run from 7:00-9:00 PM. Locations will be posted on the Facebook event pages.
    • Ottawa Birth and Wellness CentreThe Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre is a midwife-led, community-based healthcare facility who encourages their clients to incorporate their cultural practices into their birthing plans and welcome and support all families.
    • Family Services OttawaThe Around the Rainbow program provides education, counseling and support services to 2SLGBTQI+ families and individuals. Our objective is always to improve 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion in all environments.
    • Ontario Caregiver OrganizationThe Ontario Caregiver Organization has a list of resources on mental health and a variety of types of healthcare needs.
    • Around the Rainbow – Parent & Caregiver Peer Support GroupFree, monthly drop-in group for parents and caregivers of transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse children, youth and young adults.

  • Refugee and Immigration Resources

    • Rainbow RefugeeRainbow Refugee aims to enable LGBTQI+ and HIV+ persons fearing persecution in their countries of origin to seek asylum in Canada and exercise their rights. The program supports members of the community residing in British Columbia to claim and exercise their rights through information sessions, assistance, and advocacy.
    • Capital Rainbow RefugeCapital Rainbow Refuge supports and sponsors LGBTQI+ refugees. Through volunteer-led sponsor groups, advocacy, community building and outreach, they help LGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers arrive and thrive in Eastern Ontario.
    • Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)OCISO supports immigrants through the journey of making Canada their home by providing creative and responsive programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, by building community through mutual respect and partnerships, and by fostering healthy and inclusive spaces for open dialogue and healing.
    • OCASI Positive Spaces InitiativeThe OCASI Positive Spaces for LGBT Newcomers-LGBT Settlement Support Provincial; LGBTQ initiative by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI).

  • Seniors (65+) Resources

    • Ottawa Senior Pride NetworkVolunteer-run network made up of LGBTQ older adults Committed to creating safe, LGBT-positive seniors’ services & programs, and residential environments through education, advocacy, and outreach.
    • Centretown Community Health CentreThe Centretown Community Health Centre provides various culturally sensitive 2SLGBTQ+ mental health, and healthy living programming.
    • The Good CompanionsThe Good Companions proudly offers a variety of programs for the LGBTQ2+ senior community, including: Wellbeing Check-in Program, Out and About Saturdays, Rainbow Coffee Club, and LGBTQ2+ Adult Day Program.

  • Sports and Activity Groups

  • Student Resources

    • Carleton Gender and Sexuality Resource CentreThe GSRC offers services for Carleton University students on campus and online with a queer library, peer support, safer sex supplies, gender affirming resources and referrals to community resources, and a variety of workshops related to gender and sexuality.
    • University of Ottawa Pride CentreThe Pride Centre operates in-person and online with a gender affirming program, closet of gender affirming clothing, safer sex + sanitary supplies, queer library, a drop in centre and more for University of Ottawa students.
    • Ottawa-Carleton District School Board 2SLGBTQ+ ResourcesThe OCDSB is committed to building a culture of caring, which prioritizes the dignity and well-being of students in inclusive and caring classrooms.
    • GegiGegi is an online resource to help students advocate for themselves and others when it comes to gender expression and gender identity.

  • Trans Resources

    • CHEO Gender Diversity ClinicCHEO’s Gender Diversity clinic supports children, youth and families at all stages of their journey with gender identity.
    • Gender Markers Guide (CCGSD)The CCGSD is proud to introduce the following section guides to help folks on changing your gender markers on identification document. The drop down sections below contain links to government websites and forms, as well as some legal and community support from Provincial and national organizations.
    • Ottawa Trans LibraryThe Ottawa Trans Library is a library and community space featuring trans stories and relevant info for trans and gender diverse youth. They also host a variety of events for trans, non-binary and gender diverse folks.
    • SAEFTY OttawaSAEFTY (Support and Education for Trans Youth) is Ottawa’s only independent youth group run entirely by and for trans and gender diverse youth. SAEFTY provides drop-in programming and community events for trans and gender diverse children, youth, and people of all ages.
    • Trans Health Ottawa Trans Health Ottawa exists to support trans and gender diverse community members navigate transition-related and general health services in the Champlain region (Ottawa and surrounding areas). This site also brings together pertinent information and resources for health and social service providers, including information on transition-related healthcare, provision of inclusive care and local educational opportunities.
    • Trans ID Clinic at Kind SpaceThe Trans ID Clinic at Kind Space provides financial aid, legal support and help for trans folks to obtain identification.
    • Trans OutaouaisTrans Outaouais is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the development of harmonious relations within the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the inclusion of gender-diverse people and all other intersections.
    • Trans Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion ToolkitThis toolkit synthesizes pertinent knowledge and research on trans mental health and suicidality in Canada, alongside concrete tools and resources that trans people, friends and families of trans people, and service providers who work with trans communities can put to use. Developed following engagement with local communities in Waterloo region, these resources are grounded in local context but applicable to a wide variety of audiences and stakeholders.

  • Trans, Non-Binary, and Women's Resources

    • BIPOC Women’s Health Network The BIPOC Women’s Health Network provides gender affirming care and culturally sensitive 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare.`
    • Canadian Women’s Foundation Grant Programs The Canadian Women’s Foundation provides the following grants for women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary peoples: Teen Healthy Relationship Grants, Rebuilding Lives Grants, Economic Development Grants, Girls’ Fund Grants, Investment Readiness Program (IRP) Grants, and the Community Needs Grants.
    • Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against WomenOCTEVAW provides a communal advocacy platform and a uniting voice for more than 30 local member agencies, all of which share the common goal of eliminating gender-based violence.
    • Purple Sisters Youth Advisory CouncilThe Purple Sisters Youth Advisory Council is an intersectional feminist group working as part of the Youth Services Bureau to bring young women’s issues to light.

  • Youth Resources

    • BBBSO Prism programBig Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa, now known as BBBSO provides a youth mentorship program with mentors from the 2SLGBTQ+ community to build long term mentorship relationships with youth 2SLGBTQ+ ages 6-24.
    • CHEO Gender Diversity ClinicCHEO’s Gender Diversity clinic supports children, youth and families at all stages of their journey with gender identity.
    • Jeunesse IdemJeunesse Idem provides francophone support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth ages 6 to 35 with drop in sessions and a variety of activities.
    • LGBT YouthlineLGBT Youthline provides counselling via text and live chat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. The Youthline is based in Toronto, but provides online resources and peer support as well.
    • Odawa Native Friendship CentreAs part of their programming, the Odawa Native Friendship Centre provides community support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth with a safe work out space, workshops, and a physical safe environment for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
    • Rainbow Ottawa Student Experience ROSE is dedicated to providing community and support to 2SLGBTQIA+ students and youth on unceded Algonquin Anishinabeg territory in a way consistent with anti-oppression, and the principles of accessibility, equity, and compassion.
    • SAEFTY OttawaSAEFTY (Support and Education for Trans Youth) is Ottawa’s only independent youth group run entirely by and for trans and gender diverse youth. SAEFTY provides drop-in programming and community events for trans and gender diverse children, youth, and people of all ages.
    • Transcend Youth GroupA free, monthly art and discussion drop-in group with gender diverse facilitators for trans, non-binary and questioning youth ages 11-17. Meet people, have discussions, make art & have fun!
    • Youth Services Bureau Spectrum ProgramThe Youth Services Bureau Spectrum Program takes place on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. at 147 Besserer St. and is open to youth ages 12 to 25. The community group offers counselling, mentorship, peer support, snacks, showers, activities and a space for queer youth to connect.

  • Miscellaneous Resources