Programs for LGBTQ2S+ YOUTH
Gender Independent Group at TDSB For families with young trans/enby kiddos. Up to Grade 9.
Central Toronto Youth Services
65 Wellesley Street East
CTYS offers a variety of programs for LGBTQ2S+ youth
- Boy-O-Boy for gay/bi/trans/queer/questioning guys, 16 – 24 years old.
Discussions of health, arts & culture, and current events
- TFAB for young trans women
- Yoga for queer and trans youth (16-24) in counselling, trauma sensitive
Supporting Our Youth (SOY)
333 Sherbourne
Programs that serve dinner at 6 pm and run to 8pm for youth up to 29. Programs for trans, non-binary, black, newcomers.
The 519
519 Church
The 519 has many, many programs so check out their full list! A sampling of some that may be of particular interest:
The Trans Youth Mentorship Program is a six month program that provides skills and training to increase employability (and food!) for trans and non-binary youth age 16-29.
Saturday morning Arts programs at the 419 for LGBTQ kids 6-9 and 10-12.
Skylark
40 Orchard Park Blvd (Yonge & Eglinton)
https://www.skylarkyouth.org/for-youth/the-studio/
The Studio, drop-in social hangout space for youth (age 12-21) 3 pm - 7:45 pm Monday to Thursday. LGBTQ2S+ friendly, but open to all youth.
Tweeny Stars, a program for LGBTQ2S+ youth ages 12 to 16 on Fridays
Walk-In mental health clinic and short term counseling
33 East Road, Scarborough (Birchcliffe Bluffs United Church)
Drop in for LGBTQ2S+ youth up to 23 from 3pm to 8:30 pm.
East Metro Youth Services (EMYS)
1200 Markham Road
East Qrew drop-in for queer youth ages 12 to 24 Thursdays from 5 to 8. Also has walk-in mental health support.
Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC)
George Chuvalo Centre, 50 Sousa Mendes St.
LGBGTQ2S+ drop-in on Thursdays from 3 to 6 PM. Food and tokens. Also LGBTQ2S+ and friends Art Program (writing, performing, film, spoken word)
222 Dixon Rd. (Rexdale Community Health Centre)
There’s a Queer Media Arts Program on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and training programs scheduled on a case-by-case basis for those that want to mentor youth, and affect social change in the community.
489 Queen Street East
Friends of Ruby supports LGBTQ2S+ youth (aged 16-29) in the GTA through mental health services, practical supports and housing. Their approach is comprehensive, involving mind, body and community – supporting young people wherever they are on their personal journey. Counseling, case management and drop-in supports. Some services are still ongoing during the pandemic.
Phone/text/chat/email peer support for LGBTQ2S+ youth (age 16-29) by LGBTQ2S+ youth. During the pandemic, text and chat are still available. Peer counselor undergo an extensive training program and they provide terrific confidential, free, non-judgmental peer support. Sunday-Friday 4:00-9:30 PM
Questioning gender identity and/or sexual orientation
Coming out
Mental health
Relationships with friends, partners, and family
Feeling socially isolated
Seeking referrals to resources and supports online and in your community
Just to chat
Queer Asian Youth (QAY)
ACAS, 260 Spadina, Suite 410
36B Prince Arthur Ave.
Teen health clinic/text/chat/phone with or without OHIP. Counseling. HIV testing. Information about bodies.
Gender Independent Groups (GIG) at the TDSB.
They meet monthly on Tuesday evenings and have two groups: one for children from Kindergarten to grade 5 and the other for kids from Grades 6 to 9.
HOUSING Assistance
Sprott house
Sprott House, a YMCA facility, provides residential living for up to 25 young people between the ages of 16 to 24.
Friends of Ruby
The Friends of Ruby Home is Canada’s first custom-built transitional house for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and two-spirit young people. Friends of Ruby also offers ongoing housing support at their Youth Centre (489 Queen St. East).
Change name and gender marker
Some transgender people choose to legally change their name and/or gender marker on their IDs, to better match their identities. A guide is forthcoming about how to go about this process in Ontario. ##