Pride month celebrates diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. Pride is an important time to reflect on 2SLGBTQ+ history, struggles and progress.
With the local COVID-19 situation constantly evolving, Pride celebrations continue to look a bit different this year.
Kids Help Phone is sharing an online space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies to get support, learn more and build connections about Pride, sexual orientation, gender identity and more…all year round!
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services (NEOFACS) is committed to providing services that are welcoming, safe, and non-judgemental for all children, youth and families, including those in our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We support families of all stripes! This includes recognizing and respecting the needs of all children and youth who identify as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and otherwise gender independent (2SLGBTQ+). We further recognize and respect the family constellations of those we serve.
Internal Training & Ongoing Provincial Work
NEOFACS is committed to supporting equity and anti-oppressive practice in all of its services and support. To that end, the Agency is developing a training series that will be delivered to all staff over the next three years.
Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies are reviewing recommendations developed from the first-ever organizational self-assessment tool to determine their readiness and capacity to support, serve, and care for 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, and families in their communities.
Further, OACAS is supporting the child welfare sector to prioritize 2SLGBTQ+ equity in the workplace through providing supportive virtual spaces for staff to gather, analyzing data on staff experiences across the province, and providing additional educational opportunities to learn about the unique and intersectional needs of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Gender Neutral Bathrooms
The Agency is currently working towards offering gender neutral bathrooms with new door signage at all of our office locations to foster an inclusive environment and create welcoming spaces.
For a list of 2SLGBTQ+ resources, please visit:
- Rainbow Health Ontario Resource Database - This database aims to provide the most reliable and up-to-date health resources for LGBT2SQ communities, service providers and others with an interest in LGBT2SQ health.
- Serving LGBT2SQ Children and Youth in the Child Welfare System: A Resource Guide - A resource guide to support the child welfare sector to respond to the needs of LGBT2SQ children and youth.
- CMHA - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer identified People and Mental Health – Information compiled by CMHA Ontario on the experiences of mental health and well-being within the LGBTQ community.
- Parents, Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)– PFLAG is a resource for LGBT people and their families.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans Youthline– The Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans Youthline offers free peer support for youth aged 26 and under (1-800-268-9688).
- Kids Help Phone – Offering an online space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies to get support, learn more and build connections about Pride, sexual orientation, gender identity and more…all year round!
Local Organizations & Events:
- Fierté Timmins Pride – Fierté Timmins Pride unites and engages individuals and organizations to educate, advocate, and support the LGBTQ+ community in Timmins and its surrounding areas.
- Fierté Timmins Pride is holding free events throughout Pride Week to connect, educate, and celebrate.
- Fierté Timmins Pride is conducting needs assessment study of service provisions to 2SLGBTQ+ community. Survey to assess mental health, education, medical, social services for 2SLGBTQ+ community within the region is open May 31 to June 20.
- Fierté Hearst Pride – Fierté Pride Hearst is a non-profit organization that organizes LGBTQ2S events in the community.
- Kirkland Lake Pride Walk – Dedicated to everything involving the annual Kirkland Lake Pride Walk.