Resources

Crisis Support: Available 24/7

Kootenay Pride Guide

Find 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly businesses, services, events, and safe spaces throughout the Kootenays! Visit Kootenay Pride Guide, a free directory created by Fernie Pride Society.

Youth Resources

Support and information for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.

Kids Help Phone

Phone: 1-800-668-6868 | Text: 686868

24/7 counseling and support for youth. Confidential and free. kidshelpphone.ca

It Gets Better Canada

Stories, resources, and hope for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth facing challenges. itgetsbettercanada.org

YouthLine (ARC Foundation)

Support for youth dealing with sexual orientation and gender identity questions. arcfoundation.ca

Egale Youth Programs

Leadership programs, resources, and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. egale.ca

Parents, Caregivers & Family

Support for parents and caregivers of 2SLGBTQIA+ kids and teens. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Pflag Canada

Peer support for parents, families, and friends of 2SLGBTQIA+ people, including local chapters and a national support line. pflagcanada.ca

Gender Creative Kids

Canadian resources for families supporting trans and gender-diverse children and youth. gendercreativekids.ca

Rainbow Families Kootenays

Local support and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ families in the Kootenay region. Facebook Group

Trans Care BC

Guidance for supporting a trans person in your life, including resources written for parents and caregivers. transcarebc.ca

Mental Health & Wellness

Mental health support and counseling services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Trans Lifeline

Phone: 1-877-330-6366

Peer support hotline run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. translifeline.org

ANKORS

Local Kootenay organization providing counseling, support groups, and harm reduction services. ankors.bc.ca

Wellness Together Canada

Free mental health and substance use support. Text, chat, or phone counseling available. wellnesstogether.ca

Mindfulness Resources

Self-care practices, meditation guides, and wellness tools for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. Trevor Project Self-Care Guide

Healthcare & Medical Services

2SLGBTQIA+ friendly healthcare providers and gender-affirming care resources.

Trans Care BC

Comprehensive gender-affirming healthcare information, provider directory, and surgical resources. transcarebc.ca

ANKORS Trans Connect

Local trans-specific health support, peer navigation, and resources in the Kootenays. ankorstransconnect.com

Community Based Research Centre

Gay men’s health programs, sexual health resources, and community research. cbrc.net

Options for Sexual Health

Confidential sexual health services, education, and resources throughout BC. optionsforsexualhealth.org

Finding 2SLGBTQIA+ Friendly Healthcare

When looking for healthcare providers:

• Check the Kootenay Pride Guide for recommended providers
• Use Trans Care BC’s provider search tool
• Ask for referrals from ANKORS or other local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations
• Look for Rainbow Health Ontario’s clinical guidelines used by providers

Legal Resources & Rights

Legal support, know your rights, and assistance with legal processes.

Egale Legal Services

Legal information, advocacy, and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada. egale.ca

BC Name Change

Official BC government information on legally changing your name and gender marker. gov.bc.ca/namechange

Legal Aid BC

Free or low-cost legal help for British Columbians, including discrimination cases. legalaid.bc.ca

BC Human Rights Clinic

Free legal services for discrimination, harassment, or human rights violations. bchrc.net

Know Your Rights

In British Columbia, it’s illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity in:

• Employment and job applications
• Housing and tenancy
• Services and public accommodations
• Education

If you experience discrimination, contact the BC Human Rights Clinic or Legal Aid BC.

Local Organizations (Nelson & Kootenays)

ANKORS

AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society. HIV/AIDS support, harm reduction, and 2SLGBTQIA+ services. ankors.bc.ca

ANKORS Trans Connect

Trans-specific programs, peer support, and healthcare navigation in the Kootenays. ankorstransconnect.com

Rainbow Families Kootenays

Support and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ families in the Kootenay region. Facebook Group

Nelson & District Women’s Centre

Support services, programs, and advocacy for women and gender-diverse folks. nelsonwomenscentre.com

National 2SLGBTQIA+ Organizations

Egale Canada

Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights, advocacy, and education. egale.ca

Rainbow Railroad

Helps 2SLGBTQIA+ people escape violence and persecution worldwide. rainbowrailroad.org

Momentum Canada

National health promotion charity focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. momentumcanada.net

Pink Triangle Press

Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ media organization, publisher of Xtra Magazine. pinktrianglepress.com

Kootenay & BC Pride Organizations

Fernie Pride

Supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the Elk Valley. ferniepride.ca

Cranbrook Pride

Pride celebrations and community support in Cranbrook. cranbrookpride.ca

Kelowna Pride

BC Interior’s largest Pride festival and year-round programs. kelownapride.com

Trail Pride

Pride events and community in Trail, BC. Facebook

Castlegar Pride

Pride community in Castlegar. Instagram

Kaslo Pride

Pride organizing in Kaslo. Contact: kaslopride@gmail.com

OUTSpoken / Creston Pride

Pride community in Creston. Facebook

Educational Resources

2SLGBTQIA+ Allyship Guide

Learn how to practice effective allyship and support. Egale Allyship Tips

Gender Dysphoria Bible

Comprehensive resource about gender dysphoria and trans experiences. genderdysphoria.fyi

Pronoun Usage Guide

Understanding and using pronouns correctly and respectfully. mypronouns.org

Trans Care BC Education

Provider training, educational materials, and resources about trans healthcare. Trans Care BC Education

Missing a Resource?

Know of an organization, service, or resource we should include? Let us know by emailing info@nelsonpride.ca.