Loud and Proud: 2SLGBTQIA+ Organizations to Celebrate

The ArQuives strives to educate and preserve knowledge about the queer community, and recover and preserve 2SLGBTQIA+ histories. The ArQuives maintains a research library, international research files, and an international collection of LGBTQ2+ periodicals produced in or concerning Canada which are all publicly accessible. You can visit the ArQuives in Toronto, or their vast online collections. See more at arquives.ca.

The ArQuives House, Courtesy of the ArQuives

Buddies in Bad Times, located in Toronto, creates year-round theatre that supports artists and works that question sexual and cultural norms. They are currently the longest-running and largest queer theatre in the world. Buddies in Bad Times promotes mainstage season programming, an artist-residency program, and community initiatives. See more at buddiesinbadtimes.com

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Photo by Henry Chan

Art collective Qu’ART focuses on increasing opportunities for artists, activists, allies, and cultural influencers who are members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through increasing visibility and programming opportunities with allied arts organizations, Qu’Art assists creatives in finding residencies, workshops, performances and more. Qu’ART also promotes local queer events in Ottawa for any and all to attend. See more at www.qu-art.ca.

Toronto-based non-for-profit Queer Collective assists in creating accurate representation of every subgroup of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in film and TV. With a focus on uplifting queer leaders, makers, experts & artists, Queer Collective succeeds in working towards a social change through their “artists supporting artists” model. Learn more at queercollectiveto.com.

Reelout is a Queer Film and Video Festival in Kingston that presents queer media focusing on issues of sexuality, race, culture, religion, class, gender, ability, health and age. They are a non-for-profit charitable organization, and are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Tune in for special screenings happening this Pride month! Learn more at reelout.com.

Courtesy of ReelOut

The ‘2 Spirits in Motion Society’ (2SiMS) is a national non-profit society that works to educate and strengthen safe and supportive environments for 2 Spirit people, organizations and communities across Turtle Island. 2SiMs supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through the guidance of various councils and supports implementing inclusion and change at local, regional, and national levels. Learn more at 2spiritsinmotion.com.

Lake Country Pride is a grassroots and non-profit organization that hosts events, promotes representation, and builds connection in Orillia and the surrounding area. Founder Celeste Lalumiere was inspired by a drag queen story time she attended along with other enthusiastic members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at the library. She was determined to face the backlash surrounding this event to help create queer visibility in Orillia. This year, Lake Country Pride hosted their second successful Orillia Pride march, and will continue to host more local events throughout the year. See more from Lake County Pride here.

LGBT Youthline offers online chat and text support services for people 29 and under in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community across Ontario. By serving the whole province, including those in rural areas, LGBT Youthline helps alleviate loneliness and assists in suggesting positive choices for queer youth. LGBT Youthline also hosts community events, and offers a collection of online resources. Learn more at youthline.ca

OK2BME serves the Waterloo Region through confidential in-person or online counselling, youth groups, and public education. These services are accessible to youth and adults in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as their families. OK2BME’s services are offered from professional psychotherapists of Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health. See more at ok2bme.ca.

OUTLoud North Bay advocates for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and works to build a community of love, respect, understanding, acceptance, and education since 2019. They provide many support services for youth including mental health workshops, harm reduction, suicide prevention, mental health wellbeing, educational supports, life skills programming, tutoring, and job ready and employment opportunities. Learn more at outloudnorthbay.com.

Courtesy of OUTLoud North Bay

PFLAG Canada is a national charitable organization that aims to create a more accepting Canadian society, and help all those who want to better understand sexual and gender diversity. PFLAG Canada currently has over 30 locations across Ontario, who each serve their community with support, education and resources for those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their families. See the full list of Chapter locations across Ontario on PFlag Canada’s website.

Arts Milton + PFLAG – Halton Mural Project by JR Marr 2020. Photo courtesy of Arts Milton/ PFLAG Mural

Rainbow Collective of Thunder Bay is a transformative Gender and Sexual Diversity Social Movement that advocates for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. Their mission includes celebrating people, respecting identity, providing education, pursuing bold goals, and shifting the needle through clear strategy. See more at rainbowcollectiveofthunderbay.com.

The Rainbow Registered Guide is a Canadian non-profit coalition of 2SLGBTQIA+ owned and supported businesses across the country. Their goals include supporting safe spaces for the community, promoting diversity and prosperity, and encouraging businesses to join the coalition and become Rainbow Registered. Currently, there are over 340 businesses across Canada who are Rainbow Registered. See more at rainbowregistered.ca