2SLGBTQIA+ Resources
Although 2SLGBTQIA+ communities remain understudied, some estimates suggest there may be up to 250,000 caregivers across Canada who care for, or are 2SLGBTQIA+ identified themselves. Existing research has shown that members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities may be at higher risk for some health conditions. Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community may face unique barriers accessing health care, including stigma, prejudice and mental health impacts.
Caregiving may also look different for 2SLGBTQIA+ caregivers and care recipients. Caregivers may include or even prioritize a person’s chosen family; a partner, a friend, a neighbour, or a relative may be the caregiver. Caregiving may include a 2SLGBTQIA+ caregiver caring for another community member, or for a heterosexual care recipient, as well as heterosexual caregivers caring for a 2SLGBTQIA+ identified person, and present additional challenges around navigating some of those relationships. Caregiving within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities can also involve adverse social conditions and difficulty navigating the health care system.
If you’re an 2SLGBTQIA+ caregiver and seeking resources for yourself or caring for someone who is 2SLGBTQIA+ identified you may find some of these resources helpful.
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Resources for BIPOC & 2SLGBTQIA+ Caregivers
Across Boundaries provides equitable and holistic mental health and addictions services and supports for racialized communities within frameworks of anti-racism, combating anti-blackness and anti-oppression. We recognize the urgent need for mental health support services and services for those who are 2SLGBTQ+ and who identify as QTBIPOC (Queer & Trans Black, Indigenous, and Person of Colour).
BIPOC Women’s Care provides a list of 2SLGBTQ+ Care resources, including resources specifically for Culturally Sensitive 2SLGBTQ+ Care, as well as Gender Affirming Care.
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Resources and Programs for 2GLBTQIA+ Caregivers
Alliance for Healthier Communities (Rainbow Communities) aims to support the best possible health and wellbeing for everyone in Ontario. They champion transformative change to improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities facing barriers to health and provide resources specific to LGBT2SQ+ communities and individuals.
BridgeWay Family Centre offers a monthly drop-in program for 2SLGBTQ+ families to meet and connect with one another.
Capital Rainbow Refuge provides safe haven to members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community fleeing dangerous situations.
EGALE Canada works to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada and to enhance the global response to 2SLGBTQI issues. EGALE offers some resources that may be useful for caregivers:
- Rainbow Table is a virtual space that connects 2SLGBTQ+ seniors through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
- Access to Justice offers legal information and resources that may be useful to caregivers
- Crossing the Rainbow Bridge is a resource that supports end of life planning and care needs of LGBTQI2S Older Adults in Ontario.
- Aging and Living Well Among LGBTQI Older Adults in Canada is a national study that explores key issues facing LGBTQI older adults in Canada.
Kind Space Ottawa offers a variety of Care programs and services for 2SLGBTQ+ community members, including the community care fund and paid sick day fund offering a one time paid sick day fund for an LGBTQ+ newcomer, immigrant worker to say home.
Pflag Canada is proud to be Canada’s only national organization that offers peer-to-peer support and helpful resources, striving to help all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Rainbow Caregivers Network is a peer support group for people who care for individuals who identify within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher or care provider.
Rainbow Health Ontario Rainbow Health Ontario promotes LGBT health and works to improve access to services, increase knowledge, highlight innovative practice, and foster networking and collaboration within the community.
The Rekai Centres (Rekai Centre & Wellesley Central Place) seek to transform traditional models of long-term care by ensuring integration within a stimulating downtown Toronto community. All care and service provided is inclusive and respectful of LGBT older people.
Senior Pride Network is a volunteer-run association of intergenerational individuals, organizations and community groups that share an interest and commitment to expanding programs and services for older 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer and intersex people in the City of Toronto. Senior Pride Network has compiled resources on older LGBTQ communities.
Sherbourne Health Centre offers a wide range of innovative LGBT specific supports in a dignified, non-judgmental way, as they seek to fill known gaps in care. These include primary health care, counselling, outreach, health promotion, and education.
SPRINT Senior Care has developed an innovative peer support program for LGBT caregivers, matching volunteers with lived experience with caregivers who may face barriers accessing services due to their sexual orientation.
Young Adult Cancer Canada hosts online web chats for young adult cancer patients and their supporters, including Out With Cancer, a bi-weekly web chat for 2SLGBTQ+ young adults cancer patients. Every cancer, every stage, YACC’s got your back.
The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the LGBTQ2S communities. A City of Toronto agency with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, we strive to make a real difference in people’s lives, while working to promote inclusion, understanding and respect. The 519 offers LGBTQ2S Family Events and oversees the Will Munro Fund for Queer and Trans People Living with Cancer.
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Resources for Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Seniors
Leading & Learning with Pride: A Revitalized Tool Kit on Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors equips all service providers and care partners with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide respectful, inclusive, and affirming care to 2SLGBTQI+ seniors.
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Health Conditions
CATIE is Canada’s Source for HIV and Hepatitis C information
The Canadian Cancer Society is the only national charity supporting all Canadians living with all cancers, and provides information on cancer screening for LGBTQ communities, as well as information on caregiver support.
The Cancer Survivor Network provides information and resources to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ persons living with or at risk of cancer, and their caregivers.
The Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance is a network of organizations and service providers who come together to meet the needs of gay and bi men, including working on HIV prevention and sexual health for 2SGBMSM.
HepCInfo offers information on Hepatitis C prevention and treatment for immigrants and newcomers.
Kipling Acres, is one of three long-term care homes operated by Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services offers a LGBT positive
environment. Specializing in dementia care, this facility also supports older people who wish to remain at home but require some assistance.Queering Cancer provides online information, resources and support groups for LGBGTQ2+ cancer patients and their caregivers.
Réseau ACCESS Network is a non-profit, community-based charitable organization, committed to promoting wellness, harm and risk reduction and education. Réseau ACCESS Network supports individuals – and serves the whole community – in a comprehensive / holistic approach to HIV/AIDS, Hep C and related health issues. Réseau ACCESS Network now offers a 2S-LGBTQ+ Seniors Support Group for those 55+.
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre takes pride in caring for patients who identify as LGBTIQ2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Two-Spirit). Their LGBTIQ2S+ Cancer Care Resource Guide can help you learn more about cancer care resources, services and programs for the LGBTIQ2S+ community.
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Information and Education
BC Cancer Care library has been compiled and evaluated by BC Cancer librarians, and includes a section of recommended websites for those living with cancer who are LGBT identified.
Centre Toronto Youth Services has compiled a list of LGBTQ2S resources and services.
Employment and Social Development Canada has published the toolkit Social isolation of seniors—Supplement to the social isolation and social innovation toolkit: A Focus on LGBTQ seniors in Canada
Family Services Ottawa has created the Around the Rainbow Resource Kit For Parents, Educators and Service Providers Working with LGBTTQ parents and their children.
Global Health Integrative Science (GHIS) has published many reports, interviews and resources to support 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion.
The House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Health has issued a report in 2019 on the Health of LGBTQIA2 Communities in Canada.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada and Wisdom2Action have released a report from the Rainbow Forum in 2019, entitled MHCC/W2A: Rainbow Youth Health.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services of Ontario has released a resource guide to support the child welfare sector
to respond to the needs of LGBT2SQ children and youth.Re:searching for LGBTW2S+ Health is a team of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, Two-Spirit, and queer (LGBTQ2S+) and ally researchers who focus on understanding how LGBTQ2S+ people experience physical and emotional (mental) health, and how they access health services.
Sinai Health Systems has compiled a directory of community resources for LGBTQ+ Older Adults.
SPRINT Senior Care has launched a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Educational Series titled: “Pride, Creativity and Aging” to shed light on the complex and diverse lives of older LBGT folks. This series is focused on embracing our identities as we age.
The Trans PULSE Project (Ontario) was a community-based research (CBR) project that investigated the impact of social exclusion and discrimination on the health of trans people in Ontario, Canada.
Qmunity is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives with access to free counseling, information and referrals, and other programs.
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Resources for Health Care Providers
The Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health is the largest national multidisciplinary, professional organization in the world, working to support the health, wellbeing, and dignity of trans and gender diverse people.
The Association of Ontario Midwives has prepared clinical resources to care for 2SLGBTQI+ clients.
Rainbow Health Ontario offers training for healthcare and social service providers to increase their clinical and cultural competency in caring for their LGBT2SQ service users.
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) is delighted to present the best practice guideline (BPG) Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ health equity. Evidence-based practice supports the excellence in service that health providers are committed to delivering every day.
VHA Home HealthCare has created a training video for care providers as part of the Out at Home Project to bridge the gap between research and practice to enhance the capacity of home care providers to offer culturally affirming care to older LGBTQI2S persons using art-based knowledge translation tools.
The 519 has published the LGBTQ2S Inclusion Playbook: A Series of Best Practices for Healthcare Environments, which is the product of a long-standing collaboration between The 519 and a collection of primary healthcare and community healthcare providers in East Toronto.
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End of Life & Palliative Care for 2LGBTQIA+ Persons
The Canadian Virtual Hospice offers a suite of resources for 2SLGBTQ persons requiring safe and respectful end of life or palliative care:
- For caregivers of 2SLGBTQ persons in end of life care
- Planning For My Care – a guide to support 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive palliative care
- My Choices For Safe and Inclusive Health Care – a place to record information related to health care and preferences
- The 2SLGBTQ Canadian Health Care Bill of Rights supports 2SLGBTQ persons in receiving health care that is inclusive, respectful and free from discrimination.
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Mental Health Support
The Canadian Mental Health Association and Rainbow Health Ontario have compiled information and resources related to the unique mental health needs and realities of 2SLGBTQ+ people, as well as a list of community supports.
Family Services Ottawa offers LGBTTQ+ Around The Rainbow, a community-based program that provides a full range of education, counselling and support services.
OK2BME is a set of support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) kids and teens in the Waterloo Region.
TransFamily Kingston is a diverse group of transgender people, family members, friends and allies in the Kingston Ontario area that gathers to share stories and experiences, provide peer support, and assist each other in navigating the various barriers faced by trans people and by their supporters.
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International Resources
Rainbow Railroad is global not-for-profit organization that helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.
Rainbow Refugee exists to promote safe equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and HIV+ persecution.
Sage Advocay & Resources for LGBT Elders has published 10 Tips for Finding LGBT-Affirming Services.
Trans-Health.com is an online magazine that links
readers to a number of resources that focus on an
aging transgender community.Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
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Resources in French
Fondation Émergence (French only) is a non-profit organization that fights against homophobia and transphobia through different actions and programs.
FrancoQueer (French only) is an association of francophones who are gay, lesbian, two-spirit, trans*, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, non-binary and more (GLBTQIA+), and their allies in Toronto and across Ontario. Founded in 2006, and registered as a non-profit in Ontario, FrancoQueer is the first organisation by and for LGBTQIA+ francophones in the province.
Know of a resource that’s missing from this page? A new program or service that might be useful for 2SLGBTQIA+ caregivers? Contact us at info@archive.ontariocaregiver.ca to let us know!
Sources: https://www.virtualhospice.ca/2SLGBTQ/media/53io5bc2/2slgbtq-knowledge-synthesis.pdf
https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/HEIA-RHO-EN.pdf