• Health
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Where can I find LGBTQIA+ positive health services?

In Ontario, many health care providers have LGBTQIA+ positive spaces where health professionals deliver appropriate care.

Some members of the LGBTQIA+ community have had negative experiences with doctors or other health professionals. They may have faced heterosexisim, homophobia or discrimination and avoid getting medical care because they are not sure what kind of treatment they will receive.

It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in Canada. If you have a bad experience with a health care professional who is discriminatory against you, you may want to get help from a community legal clinic or make a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission or the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Many of the resources and organizations in this article offer positive spaces for LGBTQIA+ people, however some service providers may not have had training on LGBTQIA+ specific issues and their attitudes and awareness may vary.

General Healthcare

To access general healthcare, you may want to find a family doctor, visit a walk-in clinic or visit a community health clinic (CHC) in your community.

Below are some resources that may help you find a healthcare provider and learn about Ontario's healthcare system.

• Access Alliance - This clinic offers primary health care, illness and disease prevention and health education services to LGBTQIA+ immigrants and refugees of all ages who live in the City of Toronto.
• Rainbow Health Education - A directory of LGBTQIA+ friendly health or social services providers. From Rainbow Health Ontario.
• 211 Ontario -  A directory of community, social, government and health services across all of Ontario. You can search for a particular service in your area. From 211 Ontario.
• Settlement.Org Health section – Information about health insurance, finding a medical professional, low-cost healthcare and more.

Sexual Health

There may be a sexual health clinic in your area. They may provide services such as low-cost birth control, emergency contraception, testing for sexually-transmitted infections or pregnancy, and counselling.

Ask your local community health centre (CHC) if they have a sexual health clinic. Some CHCs provide health care services to people who do not have OHIP.

Below are some clinics and resources you may find helpful.

• Sexual Health Infoline Ontario & eChat - Call to speak with a live counsellor from anywhere in Ontario. It’s anonymous and free. The eChat is available in English only. This service is free, anonymous and the phone service is available in more than five languages.
• Hassle-Free Clinic - Free medical and counselling services in many areas of sexual health located in downtown Toronto.
• Brazen - Trans Women Safer Sex Guide – Brazen 2.0 is a safer sex guide for trans women with updated sexual health and safer sex information for trans women and their partners. From The 519 and CATIE.
• Teen Health Source - A resource where youth can call, text, chat and e-mail questions about sex or sexual health. From Planned Parenthood Toronto. 
• ScarleTeen - Inclusive, comprehensive and smart sexuality information for youth and young adults.
• Sex & U - Information and resources on sexuality. Administered by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.

Mental Health & Counseling

There may be a local community health centre (CHC) or mental health program in your area. Some CHCs and local organizations provide health care services and counselling to people who do not have OHIP.

Below are some clinics and resources you may find helpful.

• Sherbourne Health Centre  - This Toronto health centre has LGBTQIA+ specific programs as well as primary health care services and programs.
• Goodhead.ca - A mental health resource for gay, bisexual, queer and other guys into guys.
• ReachOUT - A creative, inclusive and accessible program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth providing family and individual counselling in the Greater Toronto Area.
• LGBT Youthline - Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental LGBTTQQ2SI peer support through our telephone, text and chat services.  
• Kids Help Phone - Speak to a counsellor or visit the LGBTQIA+ forum to post a question and get support.
• Crisis Resources - Phone numbers of 24/7 distress lines across Ontario. From the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
• YMCA Youth and Support Services  - Services for youth in the Greater Toronto Area who need counselling or community support. 
• YMCA’s Sprott House is a LGBTQIA+ transitional housing program for youth in the Greater Toronto Area.
• ConnexOntario -  Information and Referral Specialists answer all calls, text, emails or webchat requests any time of the day. The service is free, confidential and anonymous for people experiencing problems with gambling, drugs or alcohol and mental illness.
• Rainbow Services - Counselling for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit people who are concerned about their drug and alcohol use.

For More Information

• Sexual Health Ontario - Information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to contraception, fertility and sexual health clinics.
• Support Near You - Information on where survivors of sexual violence can find support. From the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres.
• Queerspora - A project aimed to mobilize sexual health knowledge and skills within Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer (GBTQ) newcomer communities in their diaspora with an intersectional vision.
• Here to Help - Articles for members of the LGBTQIA+ community about mental health and substance use.
• PFLAG Canada – An organization that provides health information and resources about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and to help family members understand and accept their LGBTQ2S children.