Community Resources

Helpful Resources

ADDITIONAL LEGAL RESOURCES

Egale, Legal Advocacy (Canada): Egale was founded in 1986 to promote the legal equality of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada. It continues to pursue legal advocacy through litigation and advancing legal reform and policy development. Eagle often intervenes in litigation of national importance to the Canada’s 2SLGBTQI communities.   https://egale.ca/legal/

JusticeTrans (Canada): improves access to justice for 2Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities through providing legal information and education, conducting research, and engaging in advocacy. https://justicetrans.org/

The 519, Access to Justice and Legal Initiatives (Toronto and Across Ontario): offers free programs and services to reduce barriers to accessing relevant legal services and educational resources for underserved 2SLGBTQ+ communities, including one-time legal advice, support with court and tribunal navigation, mock hearings for LGBTQ+ refugee claimants, and a trans ID clinic. https://www.the519.org/programs/access-to-justice/

HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario (HALCO) (Toronto and Across Ontario):  provides free legal services for people living with HIV in Ontario. https://www.halco.org/our-services/legal-services

TRANSforming JUSTICE: Trans Legal Needs Assessment (Ontario_: an Access to Justice for Trans People Report produced by HALCO and the Canadian Bar Association. https://www.halco.org/2023/news/halco-the-canadian-bar-association-cba-and-the-transforming-justice-trans-legal-needs-assessment-ontario-transforming-justice-research-team-release-access-to-justice-for-trans-people-report

Lawyers Against Transphobia (British Colombia and Across Canada): a coalition of lawyers, teachers, parents, organizers, and community workers dedicated to combatting transphobia by advocating for the rights and dignity of transgender people within the justice system and through public education. https://lawyersagainsttransphobia.org/

HAMILTON HEALTH RESOURCES

Hamilton Trans Health Coalition: a non-profit coalition of health care providers, advocates, and community members working to increase capacity of healthy systems in Hamilton to meet the needs of trans, gender-diverse and non-binary people. https://hamiltontranshealth.ca/

Compass Community Health: an interdisciplinary health centre in Hamilton’s North End. Compass has a Gender Affirming Care Program and a Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Advocate and Community Development Worker and runs programming for trans and queer communities. https://www.compassch.org/positive-space

Positive Health Network:  formerly the AIDS Network; provides services, programming, and education related to HIV in Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand, Norfolk, and Brant. https://positivehealthnetwork.org/

Shelter Health Network, Trans Community Health: weekly clinic for trans and gender non-conforming Hamiltonians. Works with people who do not have a family doctor of whose family physicians are unwilling or ill-equipped to provide gender transition and hormone therapy. https://shelterhealthnetwork.ca/?page_id=713

HAMILTON YOUTH SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING

speqtrum: a program of the YWCA Hamilton that focuses on skill-sharing and community building for Two Sprit and LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 17-29) in Hamilton. Programs and supports include one-on-one support, group events, and skill sharing workshops, as well as programming and services specifically for newcomer youth. https://www.speqtrum.ca/

All Out Collective: a grassroots organization in Hamilton running arts-based, therapeutic, education & community building programs for 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, and families. https://www.alloutcollective.ca/

Queer@ROCK (Burlington): provides prevention-based programming and supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ children, youth, and families through Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK). https://rockonline.ca/group/

Positive Space, Routes Youth Centre (Dundas): youth ages 13-19 are invited to come talk about relevant issues, enjoy community, laughs and discussion in a safe space. See monthly program calendar on website. https://www.routesyouthcentre.ca/what-we-do

Youth Wellness Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital: offers mental health services and peer support groups for queer, trans, and gender diverse youth. https://reachouthamilton.ca/

HAMILTON NEWCOMER SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING

Join Program, YWCA Hamilton: immigration and settlement program designed specifically for women, youth, and gender-diverse folks ages 15+, including 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces, which recognizes the unique intersection of being both 2SLGBTQIA+ and a newcomer. https://www.ywcahamilton.org/join/

OTHER HAMILTON COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMMING

Pride Hamilton: puts on annual Hamilton pride event. https://www.pridehamilton.com/

Sex Worker’s Action Program (SWAP) Hamilton: engages in education, outreach, advocacy, and harm reduction for sex workers. https://www.instagram.com/swaphamilton/

PFLAG Hamilton Wentworth: founded by parents who needed help learning how to accept and support their 2SLGBTQ+ children. Hosts meeting on 4th Monday of the month at Compass Community Health in Hamilton. https://pflagcanada.ca/chapters/

2SLGBTQ+ Community Archives, Hamilton Public Library: captures more than 50 years of Hamilton’s LGBT2SQ+ history, including new clippings, photos, meeting minutes, newsletter and more. https://buildingthearchive.hamont.org/

Queer Coffee Hamilton: a free monthly event for the Hamilton 2SLGBTQ+ community hosted at a coffee shop in downtown Hamilton. https://www.instagram.com/queercoffeehamilton

Queer Halal Time: a grassroots initiative dedicated to combatting queerphobia and islamophobia through community engagement and advocacy. https://www.instagram.com/queer_halal_time/

Steel City Inclusive Softball Association (SCISA): runs two softball leagues and other community building events. https://www.scisa.ca/scisahamont/

Queer Hockey Hamilton (QHH): runs a league and tournaments. https://www.queerhockeyhamilton.com/

Mellow Queer Volleyball (MQV): runs weekly drop-in games and organized team leagues. https://www.instagram.com/mellowqueervolleyball

Queer Dimes Basketball: operates on a drop-in basis for both experienced and beginner basketball players, and also hosts clinics and a yearly tournament. https://queerdimes.com/

Hamilton Queer Curling: runs leagues and bonspiels. https://www.instagram.com/hamilton_queer_curling

Steeltown Queer Pickleball League: a welcoming league for players of all skill levels. https://www.steeltownqueerpickleball.ca/

Queer Axe Throwing League: runs out of BATL in downtown Hamilton. https://www.instagram.com/queeraxethrowing/

Golden Horseshoe Bowling League: 10-pin bowling league. https://ghbowling.ca/

Bruce Trail Iroquoia Club’s Rainbow Hikes: hikes explore Hamilton-area trails that are mostly outside city limits, but are reachable by HSR transit. hikes.brucetrail.org

Queer Biking Hamilton: relaxed rides mostly in the summer on paved and unpaved surfaces. https://www.instagram.com/queerbikinghamilton/

Let’s Go Birthing Together (LGBT): monthly free accessible walking tours to enjoy the beauty of Hamilton’s fauna. https://www.instagram.com/lets_go_birding_together

everybodycrew: organizes meet ups to move to outside such as walking, running, and biking. https://www.instagram.com/everybodycrew/

Rainbow Moves: weekly gentle movement class for the queer community. https://themoveroom.ca/

Hamilton Queer Football Club: https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonqueerfc/