In an effort to continue providing resources for members, students and the community at large, ETFO members have curated a bank of resources and websites that can be reference to address 2SLGBTQ+ Education. We encourage all members to ensure that they use this landing page to find sites that can help support their pedagogy and students throughout the year.
From ETFO
National and community organizations
A Compendium of Action to Support 2SLGBTQIA+ Students, Staff and Families (DDSB)
Professional Advisory: Responding to the Bullying of Students (OCT)
| Canadian Federation of Students “Informed, in-depth research on Canada’s post-intermediate education sector is a central pillar to representing and advocating for students across the country. Thorough research serves the foundation of Federation campaigns and policy recommendations to government. The Federation conducts research on a variety of issues in the post-intermediate education sector that affect students, including tuition fees, funding for colleges and universities, access for international students, sexual assault on campus, Indigenous education, and more.” |
| Central Toronto Youth Services Support for youth ages 12-18 through outreach, individual counselling, and group work. Many of our clients face unique challenges that cannot be addressed using traditional approaches. |
| Child and Youth Resources – Trans Care BC Provincial Health Services Authority “A supportive environment is important for gender creative, trans or questioning children and youth.” This site offers guidance in gender basics, health, development, parenting, safety and privacy. Also includes information for schools and queer straight alliances, as well as support for families and friends with articles, books, and movies. Resources include social and medical affirmation and information regarding transition and navigating the system of care in BC. |
| Day of Silence “The GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies all around the country, and the world, take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools. Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, the Day of Silence has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. Every April, students go through the school day without speaking, ending the day with Breaking the Silence rallies and events to share their experiences during the protest and bring attention to ways their schools and communities can become more inclusive.” |
| Gender Journeys (Sherbourne Health) Information and community for anyone with gender changes across the spectrum. “Community speakers, health care providers, artists and activists support discussions about various experiences of gender transition, embodying changes, coming out, health and hormones, dealing with discrimination, trans and genderqueer community-building and negotiating relationships.” |
| Gender Spectrum (U.S. company) “Gender Spectrum works to create gender-sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens.” Includes resources gender expansive youth and families during Covid-19, online consulting, and groups for pre-teens, teens, parents and families. |
| reachOUT Program through Lumenus: Mental Health, Developmental and Community Services “reachOUT is a creative, inclusive and accessible program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, queer and questioning people in Toronto.” The program offers individual and family counselling for youth, referral and case management, accessible workshops, drop-in groups, advocacy, arts programming, sports and recreational activities. |
| LGBTQ Youth Initiative: Send the Right Message “Send the Right Message is a campaign of the LGBTQ Youth Initiative. Our goal is to encourage straight and cisgender youth to challenge every day instances of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. We're here to help them be allies to their LGBTQ friends.” |
| LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow (Family Services Ottawa) “LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow is a community-based program that provides a full range of education, counselling and support services offered by Family Services Ottawa. They support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer and questioning (LGBTTQ+) communities and allies of Ottawa.” Includes education and training on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression for schools. |
| Pflag “Support meetings offer a caring atmosphere to hear about the experiences of others, share your own, and grow in your understanding of gender diversity and sexual orientation. All discussions are confidential, and it is fine to come at first to listen and not to talk. Created for parents, they also welcome LGBTQ2S+ individuals as well as their family members and friends.” Pflag visits schools talking to kids, teachers, and staff about what it means to be gay or trans, and about how to be a good ally. Pflag can be called upon when there is a problem with bullying or when a family needs help getting a school to provide an affirming environment. Pflag is an official partner of the TDSB and presentations are approved for students from Grades 2 to 12. |
| Policy on Preventing Discrimination because of Gender Identity and Gender Expression (Ontario Human Rights Commission) “People who are transgender, or gender non-conforming, come from all walks of life. Yet they are one of the most disadvantaged groups in society. Trans people routinely experience discrimination, harassment and even violence because their gender identity or gender expression is different from their birth-assigned sex. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, people are protected from discrimination and harassment because of gender identity and gender expression in employment, housing, facilities and services, contracts, and membership in unions, trade or professional associations.” |
| Salaam Canada “Salaam Canada is a volunteer-run, national organization dedicated to creating space for people who identify as both Muslim and queer and trans. Salaam is a common greeting in many Arabic-speaking and Muslim countries. It is often spoken out of respect, usually with shaking hands or bowing of the head. Its Arabic derivative means ‘peace.’ [Salaam] offers supports and programs for those in the queer/trans Muslim community. We advocate for social justice for members of this community.” |
| Skylark Skylark offers free, individual and family counselling and support to children, youth and their families who live in Toronto. Counselling services are tailored to the individual strengths and needs of each young person and/or their family. Professional, qualified staff provide a range of relevant, evidenced-based and therapeutic approaches within a multi-disciplinary framework. |
| Stuck in quarantine with your homophobic or transphobic family? (EGALE Resource) “Quarantining is already hard enough, but now you may find yourself in a situation where you are spending extra time and space with people who you may not be out to, or feel particularly safe with. Not being able to be our authentic self at home, or for extended periods of time, can pose a lot of challenges and be a heavy burden to carry — when it’s the case with close family, that weight often grows.” This resource created by EGALE gives tips to help students navigate the pros and cons of coming out, safety in coming out, resources students can share with their parents to support them when coming out, as well as how to deal with not coming out. |
| Supporting Our Youth (SOY) “Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an innovative community development program of Sherbourne Health. SOY is a set of health promotion services and programming centered on supporting the health and well-being goals established by LGBT2SQ youth and young adults, many of whom are homeless, racialized and newcomers to Canada.” |
| The OK2BME Program “OK2BME is a set of support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) kids and teens in the Waterloo Region.” OK2BME also offers support to the development of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) and positive space campaigns in youth-oriented settings, as well as training opportunities for local organizations and community groups. The site includes upcoming events such as Bisexuality Day in September, Intersex Awareness Day in October, and Coming Out Day in October. |
| Trans Fusion Crew (TFC) — Supporting Our Youth For trans, gender non-binary or genderqueer youth: “Trans Fusion Crew is a weekly drop-in group to explore, learn about and share experiences of gender and everything else. TFC is a welcoming and supportive space for all of your different trans and non-binary gender experiences.” |
| Trans PULSE: Building Our Communities Through Research “The Trans PULSE Project (Ontario) was a community-based research project that investigated the impact of social exclusion and discrimination on the health of trans people in Ontario, Canada. The project provided new information that was used to change policies and practices to improve the health of trans communities. The project led to the later development of the Trans PULSE Canada study.” |
| Trans PULSE: Resource Guide Extensive resource list for provinces within Canada. Includes trans support groups, services, doctors, LGBTQ counselling, hormone therapy, Black youth initiatives, and many web resources. |
| TransFamily Kingston TransFamily Kingston is: “a diverse group of transgender people, family members, friends and allies in the Kingston, Ontario area. TransFamily Kingston gathers at least once a month 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.” TransFamily Kingston embraces and accepts anyone on the trans/gender spectrum and any family members searching for support or more information. |
| Transgender Youth Clinic (SickKids) “This clinic takes an affirming approach to gender identity and care. Through ongoing assessments and discussions, they support the young person and family in deciding about options that can help the young person feel more comfortable in their body with the hope of decreasing feelings of gender dysphoria.” |
| Trans-Specific Support Groups (The 519) Includes trans-specific programs and services, including FTM, transmasc, and non-binary support groups, The Trans People of Color Project (TPOC), Trans Youth Mentorship Program (TYMP), a virtual trans ID clinic, and a meeting group for transition support. This site also includes family, children and youth services. |
| Youthline “Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.” This resource includes support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. |
| Grandparent Community - Gender Spectrum (U.S. company) ““Gender Spectrum Parent Community for parents and caregivers of gender-diverse youth, PFLAG is now also hosting groups for grandparents.” The PFLAG Connects: Grandparent Community meets on the last Monday of the month at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.” |
| Sherbourne Family Resources “The 2SLGBTQ Family Resources Program at Sherbourne Health provides information, resources, and referrals for queer and trans folks looking to grow their families, 2SLGBTQ families, and gender-expansive kids and youth. Our goal is to make access to information, programs, and services more readily available to all members of our diverse communities. 2SLGBTQ Family Resources’ workshops are community-oriented groups for 2SLGBTQ folks interested in learning more about growing their family through surrogacy, adoption or pregnancy. Through presentations, personal reflection, group discussion and guest speakers, participants will have the opportunity to consider the practical, emotional, social, and legal issues related to queer and trans family planning in the Ontario context. All sessions are offered in person and require registration. Workshops for LGBTQ Parents & Prospective Parents Workshops are developed to meet the needs and interests of participants and can explore practical, emotional, social, and legal parenting issues. Our most popular program is the 2SLGBTQ Family Resource Workshops, but also include prenatal childbirth education & parenting skills series.” |
| Policy on Preventing Discrimination because of Gender Identity and Gender Expression (Ontario Human Rights Commission) “People who are transgender, or gender non-conforming, come from all walks of life. Yet they are one of the most disadvantaged groups in society. Trans people routinely experience discrimination, harassment and even violence because their gender identity or gender expression is different from their birth-assigned sex. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, people are protected from discrimination and harassment because of gender identity and gender expression in employment, housing, facilities and services, contracts, and membership in unions, trade or professional associations.” |
| Rainbow Railroad "Rainbow Railroad believes that governments around the globe should enact and enforce laws and policies that protect LGBTQI individuals and enable them to live in freedom and safety in their own country. However, until that day arrives, Rainbow Railroad is focused on providing solutions for LGBTQI people who need immediate assistance because they are facing a serious threat to their lives and safety. This work remains more important than ever because in many parts of the world, LGBTQI people remain stigmatized, targeted by the state and invisible.” |
| Skylark Skylark offers free, individual and family counselling and support to children, youth and their families who live in Toronto. Counselling services are tailored to the individual strengths and needs of each young person and/or their family. Professional, qualified staff provide a range of relevant, evidenced-based and therapeutic approaches within a multi-disciplinary framework. |
| Soutenir Votre Enfant De Genre Divers “Un guide s’adressant aux parents, aux tuteurs et aux aidants qui souhaitent soutenir leurs jeunes trans, intersexes, bispirituels ou de genre divers dans le système éducatif de l’Ontario.” |
| Supporting Our Youth (SOY) “Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an innovative community development program of Sherbourne Health. SOY is a set of health promotion services and programming centered on supporting the health and well-being goals established by LGBT2SQ youth and young adults, many of whom are homeless, racialized and newcomers to Canada.” |
| Supporting Your Gender Diverse Child (EGALE) “This resource is meant to help guide you and your child in the Ontario education system. In it, you will find an introduction to gender identity development, an outline of what schools are responsible for, what rights your child has, an exploration of some of the issues that gender diverse students face, and a guide to transition planning.” |
| Supporting Your Intersex Child “This resource for parents of intersex children includes general guidelines for navigating the healthcare system and navigating conversations with your child, your family, and with schools. Since being intersex is often confused with gender identity, we have included a handy guide to help parents understand this distinction themselves, and more easily explain it to others. A curated resource list is included at the end for further information.” |
| The OK2BME Program “OK2BME is a set of support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) kids and teens in the Waterloo Region.” OK2BME also offers support to the development of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) and positive space campaigns in youth-oriented settings, as well as training opportunities for local organizations and community groups. The site includes upcoming events such as Bisexuality Day in September, Intersex Awareness Day in October, and Coming Out Day in October. |
| Trans Fusion Crew (TFC) — Supporting Our Youth For trans, gender non-binary or genderqueer youth: “Trans Fusion Crew is a weekly drop-in group to explore, learn about and share experiences of gender and everything else. TFC is a welcoming and supportive space for all of your different trans and non-binary gender experiences.” |
| TransFamily Kingston TransFamily Kingston is: “a diverse group of transgender people, family members, friends and allies in the Kingston, Ontario area. TransFamily Kingston gathers at least once a month 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.” TransFamily Kingston embraces and accepts anyone on the trans/gender spectrum and any family members searching for support or more information. |
| Transgender Law Center in California “Transgender Law Center in California is the largest national trans-led organization in the United States advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, they employ a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender non-conforming people alive, thriving and fighting for liberation.” |
| Transgender Youth Clinic (SickKids) “This clinic takes an affirming approach to gender identity and care. Through ongoing assessments and discussions, they support the young person and family in deciding about options that can help the young person feel more comfortable in their body with the hope of decreasing feelings of gender dysphoria.” |
| TransParent Canada for Parents of Trans Children TransParent Canada welcomes you and invites you “to share your experiences, concerns and joys as your trans children take steps in their journey towards authenticity.” This site includes coming out stories, history, definitions, quotes, information on how to be a trans ally, and letters of support. |
| Trans-Specific Support Groups (The 519) Includes trans-specific programs and services, including FTM, transmasc, and non-binary support groups, The Trans People of Color Project (TPOC), Trans Youth Mentorship Program (TYMP), a virtual trans ID clinic, and a meeting group for transition support. This site also includes family, children and youth services. |
| Youthline “Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.” This resource includes support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. |
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