Local Resources

Get connected to organizations, programs, and engagement opportunities near you and online! 

Not every organization or program is for everyone, but hopefully we can find one or two that meet our needs, interests, and experiences! 

Have a request, suggestion, or question about the list below? Email us and let us know at morethansex@checkhimout.ca 


HIM

HIM

HIM offers a number of programs, services, and engagement opportunities for the communities of self-identified gay, bi and queer men, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people in the Lower Mainland and across BC: 

Check out HIM’s FraserInteriorIsland, and Northern pages for programming specific to those regions. 


Provincial/National

Provincial/National

  • BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS dedicates itself to improving the health of British Columbians with HIV through the development, ongoing monitoring and dissemination of comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related diseases. 
  • BC Centre on Substance Use develops, helps implement, and evaluates evidence-based approaches to substance use and addiction. 
  • Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience. 
  • CATIE connects healthcare and community-based service providers with the latest science related to HIV and hepatitis C, and promotes good practices for prevention and treatment programs. 
  • Chee Mamuk is an Indigenous program that provides innovative and culturally appropriate training, educational resources and wise practice models in STIs, hepatitis and HIV. 
  • Community Living BC (CLBC) funds supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and who also have significant difficulty doing things on their own. 
  • Centre for Sexual and Gender Equity works at achieving gender equity and sexual health for all by driving collaborative and cutting-edge research, evidence-based policy, and clinical/community practice in BC, Canada and globally. 
  • Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of gay, bi, trans, Two-Spirit, and queer men (GBT2Q) through research and intervention development. 
  • Crisis Centre of BC offers barrier-free, non-judgmental, confidential support and follow-up through 24/7 phone lines and online services as well as education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations and communities to assist people at risk of suicide. 
  • Disability Alliance BC champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications. 
  • First Nations Health Authority supports BC First Nations individuals, families and communities to achieve and enjoy the highest level of health and wellness by: working with them on their health and wellness journeys; honouring traditions and cultures; and championing First Nations health and wellness within the FNHA organization and with all of our partners. 
  • Foundry offers young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through integrated service centres in communities across BC. 
  • GetCheckedOnline provides free and confidential online sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service offered by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). 
  • HIV Legal Network promotes the human rights of people living with, at risk of or affected by HIV or AIDS, in Canada and internationally, through research and analysis, litigation and other advocacy, public education and community mobilization. 
  • Inclusion BC advocates for the rights and opportunities of people with intellectual disabilities and their families 
  • Living in Community brings together diverse stakeholders to collaboratively improve the health and safety of sex workers and address community concerns as they arise. 
  • Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC offers “A Helping Hand to Justice” for all Indigenous people across BC with a mission to provide culturally appropriate justice and health related services according to your needs. 
  • Options for Sexual Health offers current sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education from a feminist, pro-choice, sex positive perspective. 
  • Out in Schools uses film and video with facilitated group discussion to engage students on issues of homophobia, transphobia and bullying. 
  • Out on Screen aims to illuminate, celebrate and advance queer lives through film, education and dialogue. 
  • PAN (Pacific AIDS Network) works collaboratively with 40+ member organizations and people working in HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction to build capacity and skills for stronger communities in British Columbia. 
  • Pride societies operate in communities throughout BC and often provide engagement opportunities throughout the year, including an annual Pride Festival. Searching online, you may be able to find a Pride society in or near your community.  
  • Rainbow Railroad helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. 
  • Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province. 
  • Trans Rights BC disseminates human rights information that is accurate, accessible, and relevant to the safety and well-being of trans and gender-diverse individuals and their supportive allies.


Online/Virtual

Online/Virtual

  • Brazen 2.0 is a safer sex guide for trans women.
  • CheckYourself.Today features a comprehensive map of clinics and sexual health care services created for GBT2Q, as well as information on different sexual health services. 
  • Grunt is about hot, fun, informed sex between trans guys and cis guys.
  • Mind Map BC features a custom-made database of outpatient mental health services including professional counseling, peer counseling, and support groups, which can be filtered on whether they are LGBTQ2S+ affirming, wheelchair accessible, sliding scale, and more. 
  • Native-Land.ca houses an interactive map of Indigenous territories, languages, as well as treaties.  
  • Our Stats houses an online database of findings from Canada’s largest and longest running GBT2Q health survey, Sex Now. 
  • OutsideIN unpacks the complexities of “outness” and provides resources for GBT2Q who are less out as well as community members and service providers supporting less out GBT2Q. 
  • PRIM3D is a sexual health guide for queer trans men, transmasculine, and non-binary people.
  • Reclaiming our Health is a resource by and for trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary youth.
  • Sex Sense provides free, pro-choice, sex-positive, and confidential information and resources about sex, sexuality, and sexual health by registered nurses, counsellors, and sex educators. 
  • Smart Sex Resource provides comprehensive information, education and resources on sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health topics and is a service of the BC Centre for Disease Control. 
  • Trans Lifeline offers direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. 
  • Two-Spirit Journal provides original content on news and current events to educate, build connectivity and to put a face and voice to the diverse & vibrant Two-Spirit community in the United States and Canada.
  • Two-Spirit Longhouse is a virtual knowledge exchange resource for Two-Spirit and Indigenous queer and trans peoples. 
  • Wellness Together provide free resources for mental health and substance use support. 
  • Social media groups such as Trans Alliance SocietyPrEP FactsVancouver Latin LGBTQ that are for and by  members of our communities can be good ways to connect with others with whom you share similar experiences, identity, location, or interests. Try finding ones that speak to you!  


Lower Mainland

Lower Mainland

  • Abbotsford Youth Health Centre helps Abbotsford’s youth develop the lifelong habit of protecting and enhancing all aspects of their health. 
  • Aboriginal Front Door Society provides a culturally safe, peer-designed non- judgmental place for Aboriginal Peoples their friends, and family in the Downtown East Side. 
  • Aboriginal Wellness Program (A.W.P) develops and delivers culturally safe mental wellness and addiction programs for First Nations and Aboriginal people residing within the Lower Mainland including adult counselling, support groups, and cultural support & teachings. 
  • AIDS Vancouver strives to create a community with no new HIV infections while ensuring support for those who are affected. 
  • BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse provides therapeutic services for males who have been sexually abused at some time in their lives. 
  • Drug Checking allows people to determine what is in their substances, and potentially take action to reduce the risk of any associated harms. In collaboration with community partners, Vancouver Coastal Health offers this free, anonymous drug- checking services. 
  • Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) supports the activities that promote the health and well being of Aboriginal People and to promote the resurgence of resident Aboriginal culture, language and teachings, particularly those of local residency. 
  • I Belong (MOSAIC) supports LGBTQIA2+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning) immigrant newcomers by facilitating discussions around sexuality, gender, race, culture, and class. 
  • Positive Living Fraser Valley provides a range of support services across Fraser East BC communities to communities impacted by HIV and Hepatitis C. 
  • Prism provides education, information and referral service for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, Two-Spirit and queer + (LGBT2Q+) communities. 
  • Purpose Society for Youth and Families provides a variety of social, health and educational programs together with a continuum of services to Lower Mainland communities. 
  • Qmunity provides a safer space for LGBTQ2SAI+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included.  
  • Rainbow Refugee supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status. 
  • REACH Community Health Centre provides innovative, high-quality primary health and dental care, and social and educational services to support the physical and mental health and well-being of our community and the individuals within it. 
  • Sher Vancouver offers counselling, peer support, education and outreach services for LGBTQ+ South Asians and their friends, families and allies in Metro Vancouver, B.C. 
  • SWAN promotes the rights, health & safety of im/migrant women. engaged in indoor sex work through front-line service & systemic advocacy. 
  • Sex Workers United Against Violence (SWUAV) speak directly from the perspective of sex workers in the DTES about issues relating to health and safety as well as general living and working conditions. 
  • The Corner offers a safe and confidential drop-in space for male-identified, trans, and gender diverse sex workers, and includes supports for mental health, housing, skills-building, and more. 
  • Three Bridges Community Health Centre provides basic health care and education, and also offers hormone readiness assessment, surgical assessment, and other gender-affirming services for community members living in the areas covered by Vancouver Coastal Health. 
  • Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province. 
  • Trans Specialty Care offers knowledgeable and specialized care to transgender and gender diverse persons living in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. 
  • Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) offers a centre of Indigenous youth excellence, supporting youth on their journeys by amplifying and celebrating their voices. 
  • Vancouver Addictions Matrix Program (VAMP) provides a 16-week abstinence-based intensive day treatment program for adults (18+) living in Vancouver, and has a stream specific to GBT2Q men and Gender Diverse folks. 
  • Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Foundation connects Black community members to mental health resources such as free therapy and advocacy services. 
  • Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) provides health-care services through a network of hospitals, primary care clinics, community health centres and long-term care homes. 
  • West End Senior’s Network enhances the quality of life of older adults by providing social, recreational, educational and supportive programs and services that foster connection and inclusion in the broader community. 
  • WISH works to improve the health, safety and well-being of women who are involved in Vancouver’s street-based sex trade. 
  • YouthCO aims to reduce the impact of HIV and Hep C stigma on youth in British Columbia and provides peer education and peer support. 


Northern and Interior BC

Northern and Interior BC

  • ANKORS provides HIV+ and Hep C support, harm reduction services, LGBTQ2IA+ resources, & community education to fight stigma in the Kootenays. 
  • ASK Wellness provides outreach, housing, health, education, employment, and emotional support to people affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and marginalized and persons at risk in Kamloops, Merritt, and Penticton. 
  • Central Interior Native Health Society strives to recognize the unique health care needs of Aboriginal People and people who live on, or close to, the street. Our goal is to provide culturally safe and pro-active health care that promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual harmony. 
  • Colours of Vanderhoof works towards a more welcoming and inclusive Vanderhoof for all members of the rainbow community while recognizing the particular strengths and difficulties of intersectional discrimination and privilege 
  • Gender Outlines provides programing for transgender youth ages 8 to 25 in Prince George and their parents. 
  • Health Outreach Team provides services available in all Interior Health communities. from nurses including HIV/HCV/HBV testing, partner notification, referrals, counselling, medication adherence support, and HIV education for individuals and groups.  
  • HIM offers programming, services, and engagement opportunities for the communities of self-identified gay, bi and queer men, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people in Northern and Interior BC. 
  • Inclusive Med consists of healthcare students looking to improve access and quality of care for Queer-identifying individual in the North by fostering connections, education, and resource development. 
  • Kelowna Trans Resources lists information on groups, resources, and services for and relevant to trans people in Kelowna. 
  • Living Positive Resource Centre Okanagan (LPRC) provides harm reduction, prevention and education resource, and supportive services that focus on individual and community health and wellness to anyone living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, Hep C, or related health issues. 
  • Mycelium consists of a group of queer & trans youth 16-29 across what is currently known as BC, who connect to center healing, pleasure, and justice in our lives as we envision and create a world liberated from HIV & Hep C stigma. 
  • My Health is Sexy has information, resources, and tools to help you understand and access HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services within the Interior Health region. 
  •  Northern Health leads the way in promoting health and providing health services for both urban and rural populations across Northern BC. 
  • Northern Pride Centre offers a drop-in space, discussions, and events for LGBTQ students, community members, and allies in Prince George. 
  • Positive Living North: No khe̅yoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society (PLN) provides quality support, awareness education, and prevention services to people living with, affected by, and at-risk for HIV / AIDS / HCV. 
  • Crisis Prevention, Intervention & Information Centre for Northern BC provides emotional support, suicide intervention and referral information to the residents of Northern British Columbia. 
  • PG Queer Café offers social opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to come together to make friends in Prince George. 


Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island

  • AVI promote health, dignity, and well-being for all people affected by HIV, HCV, and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction based education, prevention, and support service. 
  • Cool Aid offers services to adults who are impacted by poverty, stigma and homelessness including affordable housing, emergency shelters, primary health and dental care, nutritious meals, and wellness programs. 
  • DAISSI – Diverse and Inclusive Saltspring Island consists of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people, and allies, who live on or off Salt Spring Island and are interested in issues related to education, arts, and support for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.  
  • HIM offers programming, services, and engagement opportunities for the communities of self-identified gay, bi and queer men, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people in Vancouver Island. 
  • Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre offers sexual health clinical care, primary care for priority populations, community education, and a retail store that carries gender affirming apparel such as binders, packers, gaffs (including children’s), and underwear and products for pleasure and sexual health.  
  • Island Health aims to provide superior health care through innovation, teaching and research and a commitment to quality and safety—creating healthier, stronger communities and a better quality of life for those we touch. 
  • Peers Victoria provides outreach, harm reduction and education services for people in the sex industry. 
  • Positive Wellness HIV and North Island Liver Services provides an integrated service of prevention, education, treatment and support related to viral hepatitis and HIV. 
  • Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society (VPWAS) provides peer support, Peer Navigation, education and treatment information to persons living with HIV/AIDS.