Widely marked in Canada and around the world in June, Pride Month is a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community, hold space for queer joy and commemorate the Stonewall Riots that sparked the gay liberation movement in 1969. Amid rising hate and increasingly mainstreamed anti-queer and anti-trans rhetoric, it is also a time to reflect on the discrimination, exclusion and harassment faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community, especially for queer and trans communities, and the need to better integrate and create space for the diversity of voices, experiences and perspectives that fall outside the gender binary.
Across Canada, a range of organizations and networks are engaged in efforts that advance the expression, wellbeing and safety of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Drawing from our Network Map, we highlight some of them below:
2 Spirits in Motion Society
Based in Vancouver, 2 Spirits in Motion aims to create, maintain, and strengthen a safe and supportive social environment for 2 Spirit people to feel and be loved, succeed and become empowered to make their own decisions and to find and express their purpose in life. Serving as a national sounding board, the organization works to advance the interests of 2 Spirit people.
Listen to season 3 of “Between 2 Spirits,” a podcast series by the 2 Spirits in Motion Youth Council for 2 Spirit people by 2 Spirit people here.
CIHR Institute of Gender and Health
CIHR Institute of Gender & Health aims to foster research excellence regarding the influence of sex and gender on health, and to apply these findings to identify and address pressing health challenges facing men, women, girls, boys and gender-diverse people. IGH champions a health research agenda that embraces sex and gender and is therefore more scientifically rigorous and responsive to the diverse health needs of people in Canada and around the world.
View their interactive sex and gender training modules here.
The Enchanté Network
National in its scope, The Enchanté Network connects and supports over 160 pride centres and 2SLGBTQ+ service providers across Canada. In an effort to respond to the needs of Black Queer people across Canada, The Enchanté Network has launched Back to Our Roots, a project dedicated to connecting and supporting Black 2SLGBTQI+ movements from coast to coast to coast.
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (E2S) provides social, health, cultural programs and services for, and fosters networking, knowledge exchange, training and mentoring between, 2Spirit, IndigiQueer and/or LGBTQIA+ community members and leadership. E2S has existed since the 90s and has been reignited by younger generations of 2 Spirits working with the original founders. Learn more about their history here.
Fierté Canada Pride
Fierté Canada Pride aims to help build vibrant and strong Canadian Pride organizations through collaboration, offering support, networking, helping to develop a national identity of Pride, and by offering resources and advocacy for its members. Learn more about their current projects and collaboration opportunities by visiting their website.
Gay & Grey Montreal
Gay and Grey Montreal are working to reduce isolation and improve the quality of life for older members of the English-speaking 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Montreal. Through “Queer Elders Sharing”, Gay and Grey Montreal brings 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors to the mic to share their stories, advice and strength with listeners. Learn more about the project and listen in here.
No Conversion Canada
No Conversion Canada is a national, nonpartisan, grassroots organization and registered nonprofit dedicated to ending conversion “therapy”/conversion practices. In April 2023, No Conversion Canada and Wisdom2Action launched a toolkit to raise awareness about Canada’s conversion therapy ban, which came into effect in January 2022. View it here.
OUTLoud North Bay
OUTLoud North Bay supports the health and wellbeing of the 2SLGBTQA+ youth and allies of North Bay and surrounding communities, through workshops, professional services, collaborations, and a safe space. View their website to learn more about upcoming events!
Pride at Work Canada
Pride at Work Canada envisions workplaces and communities where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. The organization empowers Canadian employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity and sexual orientation. This year, Pride at Work Canada is celebrating its 15th Anniversary! Visit our blog to read about their advice to new organizations.
The Centre for Women and Trans People
The Trent Centre for Women & Trans People is a community organization dedicated to creating community, resources and advocating for people affected by gender-based marginalization in Peterborough Ontario. The Centre offers a variety of community resource programs, including a gender affirming care grant, a sexual health outreach program and a bra and binder exchange program. Learn more here.
Momentum
A newly created organization to combat the staggering rise in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate across Canada. Momentum through programming and advocacy will advance transformative change for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Canada. Check out their latest campaign #Act4QueerSafety which will mobilize organizations, advocates and allies to create action on rising anti-2SLGBTQIA hate.
This is a living list that we will continue to update over time. Know of an organization to add? Contact us at EFN-RAE@CanWaCH.ca.
The Equal Futures Network acknowledges that Indigenous people are the traditional guardians of Turtle Island, on the land also known as Canada