RESOURCES
ETCETERA
PARENT NETWORK
The Etcetera Parent Network is a once a month meeting for parents and guardians of LGBT2Q+ youth.
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Parents may come alone or bring youth under 18. The group features facilitated discussion and education for parents and families, and provides the space for families to connect, support and learn from each other.
WHEN & WHERE
Meetings are normally held on the first Thursday of every month at the Foundry (100-1815 Kirschner Rd.). Time and locations may change.
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No registration required.
TRANSPARENT
OKANAGAN PEER SUPPORT GROUP
TransParent Okanagan peer support was created by and for parents of gender creative, transgender, and Two-Spirit youth and children (18 and under) to provide peer support, a sharing resource library, learning, and friendship. Please email transparentokanagan@gmail.com to get on our email list, or for information or resources. We are funded by a generous grant from TransCare BC, a Provincial Health Services Authority program.
ETCETERA
YOUTH GROUP
Etcetera is a weekly, facilitated program here youth ages 11-14 // 15-18 who identify as LGBT2Q+ and their allies can meet supportive peers in a safe environment.
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Etcetera hosts social activities, hold special events, conduct empowerment and health relationship discussions and engage other areas of interest for our young people.
Meetings are normally held every Thursday at the Foundry (100-1815 Kirschner Rd.). Time and locations may change.
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AGES 11-14: 4:30-5:30 pm
AGES 14-18: 6:00-7:00 pm
ALL AGES: 5:30-6:00 pm
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No registration required.
YOUTH
RESOURCES
Need immediate help?
TEXT: 686868
PHONE: 1-800-668-6868
WHEN & WHERE
FREE & ANONYMOUS
HOTLINES & CHATS
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LGBT Youth Line: phone 1-800-268-9688; text 647-694-4275 (support by phone, text, and online chat—Canada based)
The Trevor Project: phone 866-488-7386 (LGBTQ+ hotline/lifeline, text, and online chat service—USA based; also has peer chat space and online books and worksheets)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (LGBTQ+ affirming hotline/lifeline that also has chat services)
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EMERGENCY &
GOVERNMENT
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RCMP: phone 911 (for instances where there is immediate danger)
Ministry of Children and Family Development: 1-800-663-9122 (if you think a child or youth under 19 years of age is being abused or neglected)
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The Social Justice Advocate’s Handbook: A Guide to Gender (fun book about gender with comics, how-tos, and more)
The Gender Quest Workbook (guidebook you can fill out)
Am I Blue? (short story anthology about queerness)
One in Every Crowd (sweet, funny, and sometimes sad short stories by Ivan Coyote)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (novel about two young men who help each other understand themselves)
Weetzie Bat (funky and occasionally magical novel about a young woman)
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out (testimonies from trans youth)
Skim (graphic novel about an outcast teenage girl)
Coda (novel with bisexual themes and music)
Annie on My Mind (girl-girl teen love story)
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BOOKS FOR YOUTH
RESOURCES & BOOKS
FOR FAMILY & EDUCATORS
Being Safe, Being Me: Results of the Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey (accessibly written examination of trans youth health in Canada with very useful conclusions)
God and the Gay Christian (compelling interpretation of biblical texts about same-sex relations, and the story of the author’s navigation of relationships with his family, his hometown church, and the Christian church at large as he expresses what it means to be a faithful gay Christian)
PFLAG Vancouver (support group for families and parents of LGBT young people)
The Transgender Child (comprehensive guidebook for parents of trans or gender questioning children and youth)
This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids (introductory book for parents with limited knowledge of LGBT issues)
Redefining Girly (a book for parents of kids – especially girls – who don’t act the way we have traditionally thought girls “should” act. About challenging gender norms and not specifically about transgender or gender questioning young people)
Supporting Transgender and Gender Creative Youth (excellent resource for educators, parents, and communities about young people recreating gender)
TRANSGENDER
RESOURCESÂ
Local, closed Facebook group for a positive, safe, inclusive, supportive space for, gender non-conforming, non-binary, transsexual, transgender, gender queer inter-sexed or questioning (or any variation there of under the rainbow spectrum) people living in or near Kelowna or the Okanagan are to discuss matters and various topics while providing and obtaining peer support.
Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education. Our vision is to fight the epidemic of trans suicide and improve overall life-outcomes of trans people by facilitating justice-oriented, collective community aid.
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HOTLINE: 1-877-565-8860
Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.
Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.
TransParent provides community consultation, advising and advocacy on issues related to families of trans youth. TransParent operates a peer support network, monthly meetings, guest speakers and a lending library of books, videos and other resources.
HEALTH
RESOURCESÂ
Having started as an HIV/AIDS service organization in 1992, the LPRC has since expanded their mandate to serve individuals in the Central Okanagan living with and/or at risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other STBBIs experiencing concerns relating to housing, income, nutrition, health care, addictions and mental health.
Men’s Health Initiative (MHI)'s goal is to increase supportive, community-based networks for guys-who-like-guys within Interior BC while raising attention to their health care needs and concerns.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community.
The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society is a not-for-profit, registered charity that has provided innovative and quality programming to the children, youth and families of the Central Okanagan since 1969. Governed by a committed Board of Directors, led by a seasoned Executive Director, and supported by a team of more than 75 professional staff and volunteers, the organization has consistently demonstrated its capacity to meet the needs of the community it serves.
nspired by Free Mom Hugs, Free Parent Hugs Kelowna is a group of affirming parents and allies. We believe members of the LGBT2Q+ community are equal and should be treated as such in all forums.