Older 2SLBGTQI+ Resources: Greater Toronto Area

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations is a non-profit social services organization whose membership consists of Aboriginal gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Toronto.

ACT provides support services that empower men, women and youth living with HIV to achieve self-determination, informed decision-making, independence, and overall well-being. They provide counselling, information provision, social support activities and programs that help people with HIV return to work.

The Youth/Elders Podcast brings together young and old to create a space where identities, personal histories and queer perspectives get turned into performance.

CAYR’s Rainbow Space programs build safer, inclusive social and recreational spaces for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in York Region. Rainbow Space programs are peer-led and peer-directed. 2SLGBTQ+ community members including youth, older adults, and seniors can access both drop-in and facilitated groups through Rainbow Space.

A resource to help seniors and caregivers in Toronto find the services they need. Includes supports and services available for 2SLGBTQI+ seniors.

The David Kelley Program at Family Services Toronto provides professional individual, couple and family counselling to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer, or who are questioning their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. They also provide services to persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Gay Fathers of Toronto is a peer support group run by and for gay men who are fathers.

Serving the queer community since 1970, Glad Day Bookshop is now the oldest LGBTQ bookstore in the world.  It specializes in offering the widest possible selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans, two-spirit and queer literature.  It has a coffee shop, event space and a fair trade restaurant and bar, and is a queer community meeting place.

Hassle Free Clinic is a community-based clinic providing medical and counselling services in all areas of sexual health. It is the largest anonymous HIV test site in Canada, and is one of the country’s busiest sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics. The clinic strives to maintain an informal atmosphere, delivering services in a timely, non-bureaucratic manner. A fundamental principle of service delivery is a non-judgmental, supportive attitude to the treatment of sexual health concerns. The clinic has separate men & trans clinic hours and women & trans clinic hours.

The City of Toronto Seniors Services and Long-Term Care (SSLTC) has collaborated with community members, service providers, allies and advocates to revitalize a 2SLGBTQI+ training Tool Kit.  The Tool Kit, Leading & Learning with Pride, includes useful examples, insights, guidance, and resources to support providers throughout the care continuum to provide respectful, inclusive and affirming care to 2SLGBTQI+ seniors.  

ODLAN is a resource hub that connects individuals and organizations with solutions to bridging the digital divide in 2S-LGBTQ+ communities.

Out & Out Club Toronto is North America’s largest LGBT activities club. Established in 1980, Out & Out is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization offering a range of activities to hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer adults (19+ years).

Prime Timers Toronto is a diverse group of gay and bisexual men over forty who gather in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational and recreational activities.

Championing LGBTQ+ Refugee and Newcomer Support

Rainbow Connect program of The Neighbourhood Group Community Services (TNGCS) provides resettlement support for newcomers to Canada who identify themselves as LGBTQ+. Toronto attracts the highest number of LGBTQ+ refugees coming from African and Caribbean countries, the Middle East, South Asia and Eastern European countries. Yet, only a handful of agencies have LGBTQ+ newcomer specific programs and services.

LGBTQ+ newcomers face life-crushing challenges such as lack of safe access to employment, healthcare and housing, having to navigate a complex refugee claim process, poverty, social isolation mental health issues due to life-long trauma. Rainbow Connect provides resettlement support at the crucial stages of their resettlement in Canada.

Rainbow Health Ontario is a province-wide program that works to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people in Ontario through education, research, outreach and public policy advocacy.

SPRINT Senior Care is an LGBT-inclusive non-profit agency which provides practical and affordable services to help older adults (55+) and adults with disabilities live at home safely and as independently as possible.

Located in downtown Toronto, the Sherbourne Health Centre offers a wide variety of culturally appropriate LGBT healthcare programs and services, all in a welcoming and safe environment.

Sunshine Centres for Seniors is an LGBT-inclusive charity which seeks out isolated and frail seniors who are at risk for depression and need to be connected to a supportive community. Through the contacts and friendships seniors develop at Camp Sunshine, they form meaningful relationships which will enhance their quality of life and allow them to contribute to others.

The 519 Older LGBTQ2S Program provides people with opportunities to make deeper connections with their peers by socializing and learning through special events, guest speakers and promoting related community resources.

Located in the heart of the Church and Wellesley Village, the ArQuives (formerly the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives) is the second largest LGBTQ2+ archives in the world. It offers a permanent collection of archived materials and a research library, as well as regular special exhibitions.

The Toronto Bisexual Network's mandate is to provide a community where bisexuals and people questioning their sexuality can share diverse perspectives on bisexual issues and experiences. They offer support, a social network, information and referrals.

The Toronto Seniors Forum works to help ensure that Toronto meets its commitment to providing equitable services for seniors across Toronto, by consulting seniors across the city and promoting dialogue among seniors and organizations serving seniors.