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Where can I find support groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) newcomers?

If you are new to Ontario you may want to connect with other newcomers who also identify as LGBTQIA+. You may want to find a community group specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) newcomers.

This may be easier to do in larger areas. If you live in a smaller region there may be fewer specific groups for the LGBTQIA+ community; there will still be general LGBTQIA+ programs.

You don’t have to be openly “out” to join these kinds of groups. "Being out" as an LGBTQIA+ person means identifying yourself as part of this group and disclosing this to other people. Support groups and community programs can help you meet people and get involved in your new community so you can be comfortable and feel safe to come out when you are ready.

Finding LGBTQIA+ Support Groups in Your Area

To find an LGBTQIA+ support group in your area you can:

• Call 211 or search LGBTQ+ - 211Ontario (online)
• Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) are student-run clubs that provide a safe place for high school students and teachers to meet, talk and educate others about Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) issues.
  
• Check with your local college or university to find out if they have LGBTQIA+ groups on campus. Many groups are often open to non-students, especially in smaller communities.

You can find some examples of different LGBTQIA+ programs:

• 2SLGBTQ+ peer-led Drop-in groups - Kind Space (Ottawa)
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Programs and Services - Centretown CHC (Ottawa)
• 2SLGBTQIA Friendly Services - Windsor Pride Community (Windsor-Essex)
• LGBTQ2S - CultureLink  (Toronto)
• LGBTQ+ Programs - Access Alliance (Toronto)
• LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs - Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto (Toronto)
• LGBTQ2S Health - NorWest Community Health Centre - (Thunder Bay) 
• New to Canada - The519 (Toronto)
• Queerspora - Max Ottawa - (Ottawa)
• Rainbow Resources - Fierté Sudbury Pride - (Sudbury)
• reachOUT 2SLGBTQ+ Youth - Lumenus (Greater Toronto Area)
• SOY’S Health and Well-Being Programs (Toronto)

Other areas in Ontario may have LGBTQIA+ groups that are not specifically for newcomers, but you can meet other LGBTQIA+ people and access services and resources in a positive and safe space.

Intersectional Support Groups

Intersectional support groups serve groups of people that identify as having similar overlapping social identities. Social identities can include gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability and faith group. 

Some examples of LGBTQIA+ intersectional support groups are:

• Goodhead.ca - Mental health resource for gay, bisexual, queer and other guys into guys.
• International Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR)
• Latino Group Hola - The519
• LGBTQIA+ positive church groups
• New to Canada - The519
• Planting the Seed - A Fertility and Reproductive Support Group for 2SLGBTQIA Communities. Hosted by Seed & Sprout Community.
• Programs for the Asian Community - ACAS (Greater Toronto Area)
• Rainbow Railroad
• Salaam: Queer Muslim Community
• SOY's Black Queer Youth Initiative (BQY) - Black, Caribbean, African or Black-identified multiracial queer and trans spectrum youth aged 29 or under who live in Toronto

For More Information

• PFLAG Ontario Chapters - An organization that helps people across Canada who are struggling with issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. It supports, educates and provides resources to parents, families, friends and colleagues with questions or concerns. 
• LGBT2SQ Parenting and Family Resources Program - These programs provide information, resources, and referrals for queer and trans folks looking to grow their families, LGBT2SQ families, and gender-expansive kids and youth at Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto.
• Children's Mental Health Centres - This portal can connect you or your child to resources for children and youth. From Children's Mental Health Ontario.
• EGALE Resources - A Canadian 2SLGBTQI human rights organization that advances equality, diversity, education and justice.
• You Are Among Friends [PDF] - A collection of stories, experiences, resources, and information by and for LGBTQ+ newcomers communities in Ontario. From Access Alliance Multicultural Health Centre.
• Trans Lifeline - Provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one