Ontario Trans Support Resource Guide

Support Groups and Clubs

Toronto

Trans Programming at The 519 Church Street Community Centre
This site lists many of the peer-run trans programmes available in Toronto, Canada at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. It also includes a link to the “Happys Transsexual Hooker”, an HIV/AIDS resource for trans sex workers, and “TS/TG/2-S 101 Training Manual for Service Providers”, a document which provides terminology, information on transition, and addresses access to service barriers for trans and Two-Spirit people. A must-read for service providers! www.the519.org/programs/trans/

MealTrans (lower income and street involved trans/Two-Spirit people)
Program Coordinator: Kyle Scanlon
The 519 Church St. Community Centre
519 Church St., Toronto, Ont., M4Y 2C9
416·392·6878 x104
Meal Trans at the 519 is a multi-service programme primarily for lower income and/or street-active transsexuals., Two-Spirit and transgendered people. We run a weekly drop-in every Monday night from 6 to 9:30pm at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. It’s a place to get together over a healthy meal, access resources, information and referrals, discuss issues relevant to our lives, learn with and from each other and build a stronger community. mealtran@the519.org

Trans Sex Worker Outreach Programme
Outreach Worker: Monica Forrester
The 519 Church St. Community Centre
519 Church St., Toronto, Ont., M4Y 2C9
416·392·6878 x305
The Trans Sex Worker Outreach Programme distributes free condoms and lube to transsexual, Two-Spirit and transgendered sex workers. The outreach worker also provides safer sex information on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, peer support, advice and referrals. The programme also developed The Happy Transsexual Hooker: a healthy resource guide for transsexual and transgendered sex workers, which is distributed free of charge.

2-Spirit People of the 1st Nations
43 Elm Street, 2nd floor (Bay and Dundas area)
Weekly drop in (call for specific information)
416·944·9300

Asian Community Aids Services (ACAS)
33 Isabella St. Suite 107 (Buzz 526)
Call Shannon at 416·963·4300 x65 or email fsoropia@yahoo.com

Trans of Colour Support Project
Looking for support, activism or an outlet for your artistic juices?
Contact JD or Rupert by leaving a message at 416·392·6878 x325.

Transition Support (TS support) for transwomen and transmen
The 519 Church St. Community Centre
519 Church St., Toronto, Ont., M4Y 2C9
416·925·9872 x2121
The Transition Support Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 7:00pm at The 519. The group is a place where transsexuals, Two-Spirit and transgendered individuals can find support and discuss issues and subjects relevant to their lives in a safe and secure environment. Both Female-to-Male and Male-to-Female TS/TG/2-S people are welcome.

FTM and Trans-men Support Group
The 519 Church St. Community Centre
519 Church St., Toronto, Ont., M4Y 2C9
416·392·6878 x325
The Female-to-Male and Transsexual Men’s Support Group meets on the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. For more information please contact 416·392·6878 x325.

Trans Youth Toronto (transgendered, Two-Spirit and transsexual youth aged 26 and under)
Weekly drop in on Wednesday nights from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
The 519 Church Street Community Centre (at Wellesley)
Trans Youth Toronto is a place to get together, access resources, hop on the internet, and surf trans-youth websites for free, get information and referrals, chat about issues relevant to OUR lives as TS/TG/2-S youth and have a lots fun!

Trans_Fusion Crew (for trans and Two-Spirit youth aged 26 and under)
(sponsored by Supporting Our Youth)
Trans_Fusion Crew is a grass-roots activist project that creates social and political spaces that speak to the concerns, struggles, and victories of transgendered, transsexual, Two-Spirited, intersexed youth and allies. Scheduled weekly drop-ins on Thursdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm – please call Ayden for specific details and meeting location.
(416) 324-5078; tfc@sherbourne.on.ca

Gender Journeys - Thinking About Transition
The Sherbourne Health Centre hosts eight weeks of reliable information and friendly connections for anyone thinking about their own gender changes. Respect for a wide range of trans possibilities - no 'one-size-fits-all' answers. For further information about this group, call or e-mail our Program Assistant: 416-324-5064 or ftomlin@sherbourne.on.ca. One of the facilitators will contact you - discretion assured.

Gender Play
Central Toronto Youth Services (for trans youth age 26 and under)
It’s a mixed group for anyone who wants to explore the topic of gender. Please call to find out more information. Contact LeeAndra Miller 416·924·2100 x259 or email leeandra@ctys.org

FLUID (queer and trans youth age 26 and under)
Fluid is a group for bisexual, bi-curious, pansexual, gender queer, questioning and other queer youth who don't fit neatly into categories. Come join others to explore, express, connect and have fun!
Call: Dino at 416·924·2100 x243 or Email: paoletti@ctys.org

The Triangle Programme
For teens that have been targeted at their schools or have suffered incidents of homophobia or transphobia, the Triangle Programme has become a safe alternative. Curriculum includes a detail look into queer history, including TS/TG/2-S.
Call 416·406·6228 x169 or email triangleprogram@hotmail.com

Transceptance
A Peer-Support Group for Parents of Transsexual and Transgendered youth.
Contact: Catherine transceptance_group@yahoo.ca or Rupert Raj rraj@sherbourne.on.ca; 416·324·4174

SOFFA Voices for significant others, friends and allies of FTMs,
a one-on-one peer support resource for Significant Others, Friends, Families and Allies of Trans people offering an empathetic ear, resource materials, and personal stories .
For more information, contact:
soffatoronto@yahoo.ca
Jill or Eliza

Supporting our Spouses Club (for significant others of MTF trans people)
(Support for Partners of Transsexuals)
Supporting Our Spouses (S.O.S.) is a support group for spouses of MTF Transsexual and Transgendered people. Meetings are the 4th Friday of each month. Please email for specific times.
sosclub@idirect.ca

Xpressions – Toronto Transgender Support Club
http://www.xpressions.org/
Xpressions is a social and support club for cross-dressers of all sexualities.
Contact the facilitator at 416·410·6949 for more information!

Canadian Crossdressers Club (Wildside)
161 Gerrard St E, Toronto, Ont. M5A 2E4
416·921·6112
http://www.wildside.org

TG Aesthetics (Richmond Hill)
Provides transformation services and helps guide emerging trans women in the areas of appearance and presentation.
Phone 647·836·6000
Web: http://www.tgaesthetics.com
Email: meow@tgaesthetics.com

THE 416@416 Dundas ST E.
Trans only Drop-in on each Thursday of every month between 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Scotty.

Community Withdrawal Management Programme (Drug and Alcohol Use)
(Specifically for people who identify as Male-to-Female, Trans, Gender Queer, or Women with Transsexual History)
Provides auricular-acupuncture to help with cravings, anxiety and sleeplessness, as well as educational support group with information about Post Acute Withdrawal, Self Care, Self-Esteem and Arts/crafts.
When: Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm
Where: The 519 Church Street Community Centre (at Wellesley St. E.)
Call: 416-392-6878 x126

Fred Victor Employment Centre Transgender Transsexual Two-Spirited Employment Programs
100 Lombard St. #102

Trans-only time at the Employment Resource Centre. (use computers, phone, fax, printing etc)
Mondays 1:30 - 4:30pm

THRIVE!
Thrive! is a group focusing on employability skills, and housing issues for trans-folk to build skills
and opportunities.
Mondays 2 - 4pm

Trans and very-trans-positive staff are here to assist! Call 416-364-8986 x506
email : kirsten@fredvictor.org

CAMBRIDGE-KITCHENER-WATERLOO

Torchlight Gender Support Group
Meets 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm at Wesley United Church (6 Cambridge St.) Open to transsexual, questioning, family, friends and employers. Contact Michele Hogan at torchlight@gto.net OR grsmedia@hotmail.com
Website: http://home.golden.net/~kcr/tgs/

GUELPH

TRANS in Geulph Resource & Support (TIGRS)
TIGRS is an informal resource and support group for transgender/transvestite/two spirited/intersexed individuals in the Wellington-Guelph-Dufferin region.
Tel: 519·240·6352 Email: TIGRS@rogers.com

HAMILTON

Hamilton Transsexual Peer Support Group
905·528·0207 x43
Meetings are held every second Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Janet@interlynx.net

Trans Care Clinic
Provides cross-sex hormone therapy, individual and family counselling, assessment of Gender Identity Disorder and psychiatric/pyschological health, ongoing care during hormone and surgical treatments following transition and much more.
website: www.transcareclinic.com
e-mail: info@transcareclinic.com
phone: 905-957-9248

UPDATE as of March 5 2007. Provincially funded Transgender services are now unavailable due to funding constraints. Please email info@transcareclinic.com with letters of support to be delivered o the Ministry of Health to request a funded program. Services will continue of a privately funded basis.

KINGSTON

Education on Queer Issues Project (Equip)
A group meeting through Queen’s University. Contact Elicia Loiselle at 613·453·6767 or email idiosyncratic_revenge@yahoo.ca

LONDON

London TS Support
Contact Ruth Bramham
Rbramham@sympatico.ca

Trans Support Group
Support services have begun again in London, Ontario. First few gatherings will be community capacity building, with guest speakers to follow. Monthly gatherings are open to all Trans identified people. Dress however you feel comfortable, all welcome. Meets every 1st Thursday of every month, 7pm - 9pm For more information see www.tgstation.com/london.

Location: Trans Support Group
                 London Intercommunity Health Center
                 659 Dundas St E
                 London, Ontario, N5W 2Z1

OTTAWA

Gender Mosaic of Ottawa
P.O. Box 7421, Vanier, Ont., K1L 8E4
819·770·1945
http://www.gendermosaic.ca/

Canadian Task Force for Transgender Law Reform
P. O. Box 47060
Ottawa, Ont., K1B 5P6

Gender Metaphor
Ottawa's Innovative Transgender Support Group. We support anyone who is Transgendered. Our strength is to married couples.
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/3190/

Ottawa TS Support Group
Our purpose is to bring together Transsexuals and Intersexuals who are in various stages of transition. Also, to provide a safe forum for those in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec to meet others and share their fears, triumphs, questions and concerns.
http://www.ts-ottawa.ca/

Ottawa Transsexual and Transgender Transition Resources and Support
This Site provides up to date information on resources and support for transsexual and transgender people in the Ottawa, Ontario area.
http://www.ottawatransitionsupport.com/

Trans Youth Ottawa
A group of trans youth who meet for mutual support, friendship, and social activities. The group is for youth and young adults that are transgendered, transsexual, genderqueer or questioning. We promote the exploration of gender in a positive environment. Meetings are held on a monthly basis.
http://www.transyouthottawa.ca/

TS-Ottawa
This site includes lists of Ottawa-based trans support groups, political action groups, therapists, and trans-appropriate clothing stores.
http://www.ts-ottawa.ca/ottawa.htm

PETERBOROUGH

Chrysalis
A peer support group for trans people which meets one night a month. Time and location not made public. For more information contact 705·653·1374 or email chrysalistg@yahoo.ca

ST. CATHERINE’S/NIAGARA LGBT GROUPS

Coffee & Conversation - Transgender Niagra
http://www.transgenderedofniagara.com/home.htm
4th Tuesday of each month, 7-9pm
Welland Avenue United Church, 5 Henry St. St. Catharines
transgenderedofniagara@yahoo.ca
Christine Martin: 905·359·4486

LGBT YOUTH GROUP
JoAnn Theobald: 905·685·8178

Web Resources

Web listing of online Multicultural Trans Support Communities
(including Asian, Black, Deaf, Latino/a, Muslim, Arab, First Nations and Jewish communities)
http://www.amboyz.org/resources/culture.html

Cross-dressing Resources in Canada
This site lists a number of different resources for crossdressers and transvestites across Canada, listed by province.
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/ip/sigs/life/gay/xdress/xdr

The Transsexual Menace Toronto
This site includes information on Toronto-based trans support groups, human rights advocacy and news items. Very interesting!
http://www.themenace.net/

Trans Action Canada (society)
seeks to positively change the way society and the medical and legal communities, view transsexual, transgendered and other gender variant people.
http://www.TransActionCanada.ca/

Canadian and International Links
This site lists a variety of links to other sites detailing everything from surgery information to academic papers on trans issues.
http://www-hsl.mcmaster.ca/tomflem/transgender.html

Recommended reading List
This site lists some of the best reading material available written by and about transgendered and transsexual people as well as offers ordering information for these books.
http://www.ts-ottawa.ca/books.htm

TS Successes
This site contains hundreds of pictures of transsexual men and women who are successful. They aren’t "successes" because of how much money they've made, or how pretty some of them are. These are the successes of women who have survived and corrected their earlier transsexualism, and gone on to find joy and comfort and peace in their lives.
http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TSsuccesses/TSsuccesses.html

FTM International
This site is the internet contact point for the largest, longest-running educational organization serving FTM transgendered people and transsexual men.
http://www.ftmi.org/

Transsexual Road Map
Transition is simply a journey. Just like a trip, you decide on your destination, the time you'll need to get there and the money you'll spend. This site is a travel guide to set priorities and choose your route. It's about making informed purchasing decisions and setting realistic, achievable transition goals, as well as offering links to support sites for youth, adults,
http://www.tsroadmap.com

Gender Psychology
The personal experiences of a transsexual psychologist and a scientific critique of the psychopathology of gender identity disorder: http://www.genderpsychology.org

Transsexuality
Jennifer Reitz’ exploration of what it is, and what to do about it if you think you are trans.
http://www.transsexual.org

Transgender Employment Links
The following web sites contain information about transitioning on the job and other issues transsexual and transgendered workers and their employers may face.
http://www.gendersanity.com/resources.shtml

TransParent Canada "Celebrating our trans children"
Those of us who have been blessed with trans children know the huge challenges they face, and parents correspondingly also face larger-than-average hurdles. Despite these hardships, many of our children succeed to live their truth with joy and celebration. Every trans parent with whom I have ever spoken has made the same observation: our greatest source of courage and strength is our trans children. So fasten your seatbelts, and enjoy the journey.
Joan Wiley Tel. 905-401-1044
www.transparentcanada.ca
trans-parent@hotmail.com

Additional Links

GenderPAC (Political Action Coalition) - http://www.gpac.org
Gender Web - http://www.genderweb.org
Deaf Queer Resource Centre - http://www.deafqueer.org
PFLAG (Trans-Inclusive) - http://www.pflag.org
Renaissance Transgender Association - http://www.ren.org
Transgender Forum - http://www.tgforum.com/content1.html
Transgender Safer Sex Issues - http://www.highriskproject.bc.ca/hivaids.htm
Transsexual Menace International - http://www.apocalypse.org/pub/tsmenace
Sex n Change Conference - http://www.geocities.com/sctransconference/
Wellness Health Care Resources – Transgender Links - http://hsl.mcmaster.ca/tomflem/transgender.html

Discussion Lists
AEGIS-List - majordomo@lists.mindspring.com
Deaf Transgender Alliance - jmarlowe@juno.com
Tg-Spirit - listserv@listserv.aol.com
Transactive -l - listserv@netcom.com
Transgen - listserv@brownvm.brown.edu
Tsmenace - majordomo@zoom.com
Yahoo Trans Lists http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=trans&submit=Search