LGBTQ Resources in Vancouver, BC

Local Resources

Options for Sexual Health
Mission To provide reliable sexual health services and support nonjudgmentally and confidentially through clinics, advocacy, education programs, and the 1-800-SEX-SENSE information referral line.
Services Serve all ages, all gender, and all orientations

  • Clinics staffed by nurses, doctors, and trained volunteers – Birth control counseling, Low-cost contraceptives and supplies, STI and PAP testing, Pregnancy testing and options counseling, general sexual health info.
  • Education services – provide fact-based presentations that cover a variety of sexual and reproductive health issues
  • 1-800-SEX-SENSE (1-800-739-7367) toll free and confidential service to speak to a nurse, educator, or counselor about sexual health
Address 3550 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V5K 2A7
Contact 604-731-4252 info@optbc.org
Website https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/

 

QMUNITY (BC’s queer resource centre)
Mission To deliver community programs that enhance the health and wellness of queer people and celebrate queer culture. To provide education, training and resources on queer issues. To advocate for queer people and our communities through increased visibility, individual support, and information and referrals.
Services
  • Gab Youth ( for 13-25 years of age)
  • Generations (for aging members)
  • Coming out and social support groups
  • Free counseling
  • Meeting spaces
  • Education/Outreach, volunteer services
  • Prideline info and referral line
  • Anti-violence resources, Library
Address 1170 Bute Street Vancouver B.C. V6E 1Z6
Contact 604-684-5307
Website http://www.qmunity.ca/
Family Services of Greater Vancouver – LGBTQ Services
Mission Provide sensitive counseling for LGBTQ clients via competent gay and lesbian therapists.
Services
  • Low cost counseling and support services
  • Alternative sexualities services
  • LGBTQ information and support
  • Youth counseling
  • Sexual abuse information and counseling
  • Transgender health services and support
Address 202 – 1193 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC. V5V3C9
Contact 604-731-4951
Website https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/providers/family-services-of-greater-vancouver-lgbt-service-options

191 Alexander Street Vancouver V6A 1B8

Raincity Housing (LGBTQ friendly shelter)
Mission To deliver progressive housing and support solutions for people living with mental illness, addictions and other challenges. Raincity endeavors to create a work and service environment that is free from discrimination and harassment; an environment that is safe, inclusive of diversity.
Services The RainCity Housing family of programs includes emergency housing, transitional housing, women’s housing, long term housing, outreach programs, food services and community living support. Once an applicant and our staff determine which is the best housing program for that individual, the applicant is shortlisted.

  • Policy since 1982: self-identified transgendered individuals can enter women’s housing
  • Raising money for youth queer housing (Age 16-24)
Address
Contact 604-662-7023

Aaron – community development manager 604-375-9130

Website http://www.raincityhousing.org/
PRISM VCH Three Bridges
Mission To provide clinical, education, information and referral service for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and Two Spirit (LGBTQ2S) communities.
Services
  • Refers individuals to groups, counseling, resource info and services within VCH and around community
  • Provides workshops and training for service providers and users to promote health and wellness for LGBTQ2S communities
  • Substance use prevention for youth (15-24). C.A.L.L. Out!
Address CHC #320-1290 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC. V6Z 1W2
Contact 604-714-6266

Nikki Zawadzki – Coordinator nikki.zawadzki@vch.ca

Website www.vch.ca/prism
VCH Transgender Health Information Program
Mission To Support the health and wellbeing of trans communities in BC.

We welcome all transgender-health related questions and concerns from individuals, families and others. Our services are free, anonymous, confidential.

Services
  • Provide information directly to individuals via one-on-one info session, group format, email, phone, or in person.
  • Physician consultation
  • VCH Trans Specialty Care
  • Child & Youth Options
  • Provide health navigation support and referrals
  • Provide health care professionals with information to help them support their clients and connect health professional with colleagues who specialize part of their practice in transgender health care to build capacity in local communities.
  • Web and print resources
Address Three Bridges Community Health Centre 301-1290 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1W2
Contact 604-734-1514 transhealth@vch.ca transyouthdropin@vch.ca

866-999-1514 (BC only)

Website http://transhealth.vch.ca/
HIM (Health Initiative for Men)
Mission To strengthen gay men’s wellbeing through research based health promotion services and by engaging community through volunteer involvement, online access and events.
Services Services for gay men: STI testing, Rapid HIV and Early HIV testing, peer support, counseling, group therapy, personal strategic advising, sexual health education

  • Serves gay men through 4 areas of health integration: physical, mental, sexual, social
  • 3 HIV Testing sites: Davie, Commercial drive, and New Westminister
Address Main Office: #310-1033 Davie Street Vancouver, BC. V6E 1M7
Contact 604-488-1001

Darren Usher – Program manager and group facilitator darren@checkhimout.ca

Website www.checkhimout.ca
Aids Vancouver
Mission To provide quality health care to people affected by HIV/AIDS living in the Lower Mainland.
Services
  • Case management – help patient achieve stable and sustained health and a better quality of life
  • Helpline – online anonymous informative forum http://helpline.aidsvancouver.org/
  • Testing sites
  • Grocery program
  • Community events
Address 1107 Seymour Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5S8
Contact 604-893-2201 contact@aidsvancouver.org

Case Management Access Office: 604-696-4676 or 604-696-4670
Helpline: 604-696-4666
Community Resource Centre (Tuesday-Friday): 604-696-4691

Website http://www.aidsvancouver.org/
Dr. Peter Centre
Mission To provide comfort care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Services
  • Day Health Program
  • 24-hour specialized nursing care residence program
  • Enhanced supportive housing program
  • Variety of therapies: Art therapy, Music therapy, Recreation therapy, Counseling, Nursing, and Food & nutrition.
Address 1110 Comox St Vancouver BC V6E 1K5
Contact 604-608-1874 info@drpeter.org
Website http://www.drpeter.org/
Vancouver Women’s Health Collective
Mission To value women’s knowledge and to support one another to take charge of our own health. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all women regardless of age, race, culture, religion, sexual identity or sexual orientation, seeking health information and services.
Services
  • Health related resource center, 9 languages
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Wellness workshops by donation: Yoga, art therapy and others
  • Events
Address 29 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC, V6B 1G4
Contact Resource centre: 604-736-5262 vwhc.centre@gmail.com

Nurse practitioner: 604-875-3290

Website http://www.womenshealthcollective.ca/
Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre
Mission Aim to provide low-barrier free wellness services to transgender and gender non-conforming people in a way that is respectful and celebratory of clients’ identity and self-expression.
Services Clinics run on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month

  • General health care – medical exams, pre and post operation support, hormone support
  • Free hormone injection equipment
  • Massage therapy
  • Counseling
  • STI/HIV testing
  • Acupuncture and herbal tea
  • Binder and chest compressor swap
  • Education, advocacy and referrals
  • Community support
Address 1145 Commercial Drive (in the REACH Clinic) Vancouver
Contact 604-442-4352 contactus@cwhwc.com
Website http://www.cwhwc.com/
PFLAG Vancouver (Nation voice network)
Mission To provide support for all family members and friends, work to create an environment of understanding so our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children can live with dignity and respect.
Services
  • Local public meetings
  • Education and resource on sexual orientation and gender identity
  • Parental support and volunteer services
Contact 604-626-5667
Website http://www.pflagvancouver.com/
Community-Based Research Centre (for Gay Men’s Health)
Mission Vancouver based non-profit organization dedicated to using community participatory research to develop knowledge about gay men’s health and to guide community practice and theorizing on health and social issues. The organization is committed to providing opportunities for gay men to get involved in building a healthy gay community.
Services
  • Online research resources
  • Sex Now Survey www.sexnowsurvey.com
  • Youth Training and Development
  • BC Gay Men’s Health Summit
Website http://cbrc.net/
Rainbow Refugee Canada
Mission Vancouver based community group that supports and advocates with people seeking refugee protection because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Rainbow Refugee Committee engages in outreach, advocacy and public education on QLGBT/HIV+ refugee issues.
Services
  • Social support group and Information drop ins held on the 2nd Thursday of each month 7:30pm at Qmunity 1170 Bute St., Vancouver.
  • Educational workshops for organizations and community
  • Sponsorship pilot project and advocacy campaigns
  • Also provides info to asylum seekers outside Canada
  • Sister organization of LEGIT (Canadian Immigration for same-sex partners)
Address 1170 Bute St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1Z7 Vancouver
Contact info@rainbowrefugeecanada.ca
Website http://www.rainbowrefugee.ca/

DrugRehab.com: An online resource that provides educational guides about addiction and mental health issues in the LGBTQ community.

Website http://www.drugrehab.com/guides/lgbtq/

Immigrants and Multicultural Resources

a) S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
http://www.successbc.ca/eng/
中桥互助会中文网站
http://www.successbc.ca/chn

b) MOSAIC
http://www.mosaicbc.com/home

c) Immigrant Services Society of BC
http://www.issbc.org/

Crisis Line and Emergency Contacts

For emergency situations or crises, please contact local emergency services:

a) BC Distress Line 24/7 Free: 604-872-3311  |  1-866-661-3311

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)  http://crisiscentre.bc.ca/contact-us/

b) 911

c) Online Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com

d) Seniors’ Distress Line: 604-872-1234

e) Mental Health Support (BC-wide): 310-6789

Psychoeducational Books

  • Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking –  Susan Cain
  • In the Realm of Hungry Ghost – Dr. Gabor Mate
  • Hold M Tight – Dr. Sue Johnson
  • The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work – Dr. John Gottman
  • The Five Love Languages – Gary D. Chapman
  • Trauma and Recover – Judith Herman

Movies and Documentaries on Mental Health

Movie

  • She was a boy I use to know
  • Still Alice
  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower
  • House of Sand & Fog
  • Blue Jasmine
  • Good Will Hunting
  • Silver Linings Playbook
  • Some Voices
  • Irrational Man
  • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
  • Black Swan
  • Short term 12
  • Sophie’s choice
  • White Oleander

Documentary

  • I AM
  • Alive Inside
  • Bridge
  • The Sunset Limited