Searching for LGBTQ+

Drop-in centre where teenagers can talk to a public health nurse about any health-related issue

• counselling on birth control, sexuality, relationships, lifestyle and life skills
• pap smears test
• sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing

Centres available at offices in Alexandria, Cornwall, Casselman, Hawkesbury, Rockland and Winchester

Support groups

Confidential, comfortable and open atmosphere where families, friends, spouses, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans (GLBT) can:

• share their feelings and experiences
• share knowledge
• reach out
• search and discover more about the human condition.

Presentations for groups wishing to gain a better understanding and awareness of LGBTQI2S identities and issues

Resources and events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and allies of Prescott Russell

COVID-19 (January 26, 2021): To chat with a coordinator, email gsrc@cusaonline.ca to organize a meeting over Zoom. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the services will be provided virtually until further notice.

Safe(r) space for Carleton students wishing to connect with queer and transgender community

Services include:

• peer support
• social and educational events
• referrals to community resources
• gender affirming resources
• safe(r) sex supplies
• queer library (100+ books)

COVID-19 (16 December 2021): Staff is delivering services remotely. Métis who are in need of help accessing supports are urged to contact the MNO toll free at 1-800-263-4889 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org.

Bi-weekly Drop-in program: Willow's (16+) for women and 2SLGBTQ+ people who trade/sell sex and/or use substances

• access to an Ottawa Public Health Nurse
• harm reduction supplies (safer sex, injection, inhalation)
• a hot meal
• clothing
• menstrual products
• toiletries
• peer support
• overdose prevention and education & Narcan kits
• crisis intervention
• referrals, including for cultural supports

Direct outreach is being offered during COVID-19: Bi-weekly Support Group (16+) via zoom for women (16+) survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and trafficking

• personal development workshops
• arts-based activities
• cultural activities
• lunch

Support program offered via zoom during COVID-19 with lunch being dropped off:

• Métis-focused
• Trauma-informed
• Strengths-based
• Evidence-based, rooted in harm reduction

The Team is also available to provide trainings, workshops, and presentations to community members and service providers related to harm reduction, gender-based violence, human trafficking, etc.

Coalition advocating for a ban on conversion therapy

• promote awareness around conversion practices in Canada
• advocate for development of legislation against conversion therapy
• researches effects and potential support systems for survivors

Support groups

Confidential, comfortable and open atmosphere where families, friends, spouses, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans (GLBT) can:

• share their feelings and experiences
• share knowledge
• reach out
• search and discover more about the human condition.

Presentations for groups wishing to gain a better understanding and awareness of LGBTQI2S identities and issues

Facilitates communication and increases understanding between the Ottawa Police Service and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified communities

• increases the overall feelings of safety of these communities, the levels of transparency, trust and confidence between these communities and the police, and the level of awareness in the community of the services and programs offered by the Ottawa Police Service
• offers advocacy

Free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video counselling session concerning:

• sleep issues
• anxiety and depression
• bullying
• behavioural issues
• separation
• relationships
• grief and loss
• drugs and alcohol
• gender and sexuality
• adjusting to life in Canada
• problem gambling
• isolation and loneliness

Services include:

• Adult Mental Health Brief Counselling Intervention
• Adult Addiction Brief Counselling Intervention
• Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Brief Counselling Intervention
• Children & Families Brief Counselling Intervention
• Youth and Young Adult Addiction Brief Counselling Intervention
• Indigenous Counselling Service

Social service for the health and wellness of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two spirits (transsexual, transgender, genderqueer), two-spirit and questioning ( 2SLGBTQ+) people in the Ottawa/Outaouais region.


Identifying and addressing the needs of these groups:

• community development
• the provision of online, referral and library resources
• advocacy for safer sex practices, sex positive dialogue, an understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ issues in the heterosexual and cisgendered (non-trans) community
• the delivery of respectful and inclusive services and programs provided in a safe environment that affirms equality and is free of discrimination

Educational services:

• information resources
• referral services
• educational workshops and seminars
• training programs for health and social service professionals
• speakers' bureau
• library of 2SLGBTQ+ -related materials (including books, magazines, audio-visual resources, and historical documents)
• variety of discussion and support groups
• outreach and educational services to the communities-at-large

Financial support for individuals identifying as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (2SLGBTQ+)

• may vary according to resources available
• currently, Kind Space is able to offer ten $100 VISA gift cards per month
• takes up to fourteen days for the card to be issued
• arrangements must be made for the card to be picked up or mailed to the recipient
• donations are welcome

Programs for children and youth from Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and/or Queer (2SLGBTQ+) identities, families and communities

Camp Ten Oaks: week-long, sleep away summer camp for children and youth 8-17 years old from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families and communities * two, one week-long sessions run annually with one outside of Kingston, ON and the other outside of London, ON

Camp Lifting Leaves: A weekend sleep away camp for children and youth (aged 12-21) involved with Children's Aid Societies or Indigenous Well Being Agencies, from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities

Families in TRANSition: A 10-week program for families of newly out trans and gender diverse young people. Caregivers and youth meet separately to learn how to navigate systems and build community with one another.

Shaping Parenthood: A 2SLGBTQ+ Ottawa Parenting Series: An ongoing series of workshops aiming to empower 2SLGBTQ+ communities in their family planning, providing them with knowledge of systems, practices, and resources available to make a family their way.

COVID-19 (August 2, 2022): Most primary care appointments will be done in person, with some options for telephone or video visits. Call to make an appointment.

Health centre focused on family and community health

• general practice by appointment
• medical same day appointments for registered clients only
• obstetrics for low-risk pregnancies
• prenatal and postnatal support
• nutrition counselling
• harm reduction services
• options counselling for unplanned pregnancies
• referrals to specialists for registered clients only
• chiropody
• community-based diabetes education
• health education and support on issues like stress reduction, healthy weight, smoking cessation
• health education and support programs and services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and questioning community members

Homeless Initiative

• assistance to obtain a health card, ID and other practical supports
• anonymous human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counselling
• needle exchange program
• social services support, including showers
• nursing outreach

Single session, solution-oriented therapy with a trained professional from the LGBT2SQ+ community

• duration of the session is between 75 to 90 minutes
• clients in distress who feel that they need more assistance may return to the clinic for another session or can be referred for ongoing counseling

Offers counselling in :

• mental and emotional health issues
• addiction
• anxiety
• depression
• personal or work-related stress
• crisis situations
• trauma
• grief and loss
• separation and divorce
• anger
• sexual abuse (both men and women)
• family conflicts
• relationship issues
• parenting
• violence

Health and wellness organization for guys who are into guys * raises awareness, provides prevention and education materials, connects GBTQ2 guys to information and resources


Services include:

Mental health navigation: referrals to mental health professionals either part of or with demonstrated experience working with LGBTQ2+ community

Peer to Peer Programs: emotional support from trained volunteers about what's going on in your life * one-time conversation or more formal mentorship process exploring values, barriers, strengths and motivation

Harm Reduction Services: free and discreet access to harm reduction supplies either in person or delivered * schedule available on website

Group and Community Support: variety of peer discussion groups and Community MAXimizer programs * schedule available on website

Queerspora: project to provide resources and training which aims to mobilize the sexual health knowledge and skills for GBTQ+ newcomers

HIV Testing: home HIV testing kits (partnership with GetAKit.ca) * help navigating going on PrEP or PEP (EquipYourself.ca) * other STBBI testing (partnership with GayZone)

Further list of resources available on the website * training offered for service providers

Health program offering:

• hormone initiation
• surgical referrals and assessments
• counselling
• health system navigation

COVID-19 (January 25, 2021): Counselling services have been moved to telephone sessions. Counselors will be in touch with clients that have existing appointments regarding this change. To book a new telephone counselling session, call 613-233-4443 ext 2109.

Mental health and addictions programs include

• counselling services
• Counselling Connect
• LESA addictions treatment for older adults (refer to related record)
• harm reductions supplies (refer to related record)
• overcoming anxiety and depression group
• Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART)
• LGBT2SQ+ Wednesdays counselling service

Peer to peer community youth group

• workshops, discussion groups, art collaborations, counselling services, peer mentoring, and primary care resources
• access to a snack, showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, telephone, Internet
• crisis counsellors available

Group that gives transgender persons the opportunity to explore their gender identity in a variety of social settings

• facilitates development of gender identity, appearance and mannerisms through the experience of other club members and organized activities
• provides peer support through a diverse membership
• educates the general public about transgender issues
• monthly socials with pot luck dinners and presentations
• resource list of transgender friendly professionals and businesses

Organization that creates and connects individuals and communities to inclusive spaces (for prayers, discussion, and reflection) around the world, where everyone, of every gender, orientation and/or faith is welcome

• holds mixed congregational prayers led by any gender, Meccan style
• supports the institution of marriage, including interfaith marriages and same sex unions, and locates inclusive Muslim officiators for nikkahs
• global justice advocacy
• advocacy for the Muslim, Feminist, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) communities
• Gender Jihad program: leads and supports the entitlement of women to self-determination
• interfaith and intra-faith gatherings
• various social events

Supports and sponsors LGBTQI+ refugees through volunteer-led sponsor groups, advocacy, community building and outreach

• helps LGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers arrive and thrive in Eastern Ontario
• offers direct navigation support to LGBTQI+ newcomers, regardless of status
• trains, supports and mentors groups to privately sponsor LGBTQI+ refugees
• raises awareness and builds capacity with local partners to effectively serve and support LGBTQI+ newcomers
• hosts special events

Adult day program

• morning snack and full three-course hot meal prepared on site
• chair fitness
• group brain stimulating games
• scheduled daily individual activities and many opportunities for social interaction
• live musical entertainment and games
• non-denominational chapel services
• telephone-based programs running simultaneously 5 days per week

Promotes diversity in gender identity, gender expression, and romantic and/or sexual orientation through services via:

• education
• advocacy
• workshops and presentations
• professional development
• scholarships

Community-based program, which provides a full range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two spirit, queer and questioning (2SLGBTQI+) education, programs, support services and counselling

• supports the inclusion of equity and diversity in childcare, preschools, schools, recreational facilities, community health and resource centres
• workshops on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and human rights are adjusted according to the needs of the organization
• parent and caregiver support group for parents with transgender, two spirit and gender diverse children, youth and adults (hosted in partnership with CHEO)
• TRANSCEND Drop-in arts-based trans youth group for trans, gender diverse and non-binary youth ages 11-17
• Rainbow Families Art & Play social group for 2SLGBTQI+ families with young children and families with young gender diverse children