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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:

• Contact Ontario211 or search LGBTQ+ on their website
• 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 from across Ontario that support newcomers who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community:

• Kind Space A 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Centre in Odawa/Ottawa
• Centretown CHC Trans Health Program supports trans and gender diverse folks ages 17 and up who are residents of Ottawa and the Champlain Region.
• Windsor Pride Community serve 2SLGBTQIA identified people and their families, allies, employers and educators in Windsor-Essex.
• Among Friends (2SLGBTQI+) Programs offering programs and services for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) newcomers in the Toronto area.
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Refugee Services Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto offers support, even if you are not Christian, religious, or part of MCC Toronto’s congregation.
• NorWest Community Health Centre - offers support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) clients are provided with safe, supportive, and non-judgmental health and counselling services in the Thunder Bay area. 
• OK2BME - is a set of supportive services for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) and questioning kids, teens, adults, and their families in Waterloo Region.
• New to Canada - The 519 supports LGBTQ+ refugee and newcomer communities in downtown Toronto.
• Queerspora - is a social and educational group from MAXOttawa that provides support and connection for GBTQ+ newcomers in Ottawa
• Fierté Sudbury Pride - Offers 2S-LGBTQIA+ resources to the Sudbury area.
• reachOUT - is a creative, inclusive and accessible program at Lumenus for 2SLGBTQ+ youth providing family and individual counselling in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Supporting Our Youth (SOY)   from Sherbourne Health offers free health promotion services and programming centred on supporting the health and well-being goals of 2SLGBTQ+ youth, many of whom are homeless, racialized and newcomers in the Toronto area.

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 people who identify with multiple, 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.
• Latino Group Hola - The519
• LGBTQIA+ positive church groups
• Planting the Seed - A Fertility and Reproductive Support Group for 2SLGBTQIA Communities. Hosted by Seed & Sprout Community.
• Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) combines education, prevention, and advocacy to address the unique needs of East and Southeast Asian communities and people living with HIV, LGBTQ+
• Rainbow Railroad
• Salaam: Queer Muslim Community's  settlement services are not LGBTQ-specific but are LGBTQ-friendly

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