If you're in crisis right now
Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ network is unusually dense and mostly organized around a few hub organizations that each offer several services at once. Two doors cover most first contact: Sherbourne Health (primary care & trans health) and The 519 (legal, housing, community).
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Hubs cover most first contact — Sherbourne Health + The 519
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Free 24/7 service navigation — call or text 2-1-1
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PrEP free without OHIP at HQ Toronto via PrEPStart
| Situation | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 |
| 2SLGBTQ+ peer support (29 and under) | LGBT Youthline: 647-694-4275 (Sun–Fri 4–9:30pm) |
| Trans-specific peer support | Trans Lifeline — peer support run by trans people |
| General emotional distress / crisis | Distress Centres of Toronto: 416-408-4357 |
| Suicide crisis, any age | 988 (call or text) |
| Gender-based violence / IPV (any gender) | Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416-863-0511 |
| Indigenous Two-Spirit specific | 2-Spirited People of the First Nation: 416-944-9300 |
| Male survivors of sexual abuse | 1-866-887-0015 |
2SLGBTQ+ peer support (29 and under)
- Who to contact
- LGBT Youthline: 647-694-4275 (Sun–Fri 4–9:30pm)
Trans-specific peer support
- Who to contact
- Trans Lifeline — peer support run by trans people
General emotional distress / crisis
- Who to contact
- Distress Centres of Toronto: 416-408-4357
Gender-based violence / IPV (any gender)
- Who to contact
- Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416-863-0511
Indigenous Two-Spirit specific
- Who to contact
- 2-Spirited People of the First Nation: 416-944-9300
Health care & trans health
Sherbourne Health
The central hub for 2SLGBTQ+ primary care — a 2SLGBTQ+ Health Team specializing in gender-affirming primary care. Authored Ontario's reference standard for gender-affirming care, and runs the ARC Program (24/7 respite, incl. post-surgical recovery).
- Address
- 333 Sherbourne St, Toronto
HQ Toronto
Full-service PrEP care, on-site lab tests, vaccines & STI treatment (free HPV vaccine for PrEP patients). Free with OHIP; first 3 months free without OHIP via PrEPStart. Partner agencies for Black, Two-Spirit, Latinx, Francophone, Asian & South Asian communities.
- Address
- 790 Bay St, Toronto
Walk-in Mon–Thu 12–7:30pm, Fri 12–5:30pm.
You don't need a specialist for hormones anymore
Since 2016, any primary-care provider trained on Sherbourne’s informed-consent guidelines(not just CAMH) can prescribe hormone therapy and refer for OHIP-funded surgery. Ask your doctor, or find a trans-competent one through Rainbow Health Ontario’s province-wide directory (416-324-4100). Estrogen and testosterone are covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit with an Exceptional Access Form.ACT closed in March 2026 — where HIV services moved
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) closed permanently on March 31, 2026 after 42 years. If you used ACT: HQ Toronto (testing, treatment/prevention, mental health & substance use), Women’s Health in Women’s Hands (racialized women), and Casey House (Toronto’s specialty HIV/AIDS hospital) are the main redirect points.Legal support & ID changes
The 519 Legal Clinic runs several free programs specifically for the community:
| Program | What it covers | When |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Advice Clinic | Free one-time advice — criminal, employment, family, housing, immigration/refugee, wills/estates | Virtual or phone |
| Trans ID Clinic | Free help with ID applications, name changes & gender-marker changes (with McCarthy Tétrault) | 2nd Monday monthly — email TransIDClinic@The519.org |
| Gender Affirming Care Legal Support | Issues navigating or obtaining gender-affirming care | 1st Tuesday monthly — drop-in & registered |
| Mock Hearing Program | Prep support for 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claimants' IRB hearings | By arrangement |
Legal Advice Clinic
- What it covers
- Free one-time advice — criminal, employment, family, housing, immigration/refugee, wills/estates
- When
- Virtual or phone
Trans ID Clinic
- What it covers
- Free help with ID applications, name changes & gender-marker changes (with McCarthy Tétrault)
- When
- 2nd Monday monthly — email TransIDClinic@The519.org
Gender Affirming Care Legal Support
- What it covers
- Issues navigating or obtaining gender-affirming care
- When
- 1st Tuesday monthly — drop-in & registered
Mock Hearing Program
- What it covers
- Prep support for 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claimants' IRB hearings
- When
- By arrangement
- JusticeTrans — national resource for trans/non-binary people navigating legal processes (name/gender-marker changes, forms, accompaniment).
- Human Rights Legal Support Centre (1-866-625-5179) — discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
- The 519 also offers free notary and commissioning services for ID and legal documents.
Housing & homelessness
Friends of Ruby
Free counselling, housing & social services for 2SLGBTQ+ youth 16–29, including Friends of Ruby Home (a one-year transitional house). Open to citizens, PRs, PR applicants, refugee claimants & convention refugees.
- Address
- 489 Queen St E, Toronto
YMCA mYplace / Sprott House
Transitional housing for 16–24 year-olds who identify as 2SLGBQIA+, run by YMCA of Greater Toronto.
- Address
- Walmer Road, Toronto
The Studio (Lumenus)
Drop-in for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and youth of colour 12–26, with one-on-one support for housing, health, education, employment & legal matters.
- Address
- 65 Wellesley St E, Unit 500
Mon–Fri 3:30–7:30pm.
The 519 housing referrals
Connects people to 2SLGBTQ+-specific or affirming shelter space when mainstream shelters don't feel safe.
Mental health & substance use
- CAMH — group therapy for 2SLGBTQ+ people concerned about substance use, plus individual support & psychiatric consults (18+, self-refer through Access CAMH).
- Griffin Centre / Lumenus — mental health services for LGBT youth and their families.
- Family Service Toronto (David Kelly Program) — short-term individual, couple & family counselling and groups.
- George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre — drop-ins & the case-managed Breaking Barriers program across shelters, housing & drop-ins.
- Ask any of these about sliding-scale LGBTQ-competent counselling — several clinics advertise reduced fees.
Youth-specific supports (12–29)
- LGBT Youthline — youth-led peer support (phone/text/chat) for LGBTQ+ youth 29 and under.
- Supporting Our Youth (SOY) & Black Queer Youth (BQY) — grassroots groups for Black queer and trans youth in the GTA.
- CTYS — Families in TRANSition (FIT) — a 10-week group for parents of trans youth (13–21), plus peer/social groups and a parent guide.
- CAS of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ program — inclusive services for 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, families & care providers: 416-924-4640.
See the youth guide for the fuller picture — this is the 2SLGBTQ+-specific layer.
Older 2SLGBTQ+ adults (50+)
- The 519 – Older 2SLGBTQ+ Adults Program — weekly Monday drop-ins, including a separate drop-in for 2SLGBTQ+ BIPOC adults 50+.
- Sunshine Centres – Rainbow Circle — weekly discussions & recreation for LGBTQ seniors.
- Senior Pride Network Toronto — promotes welcoming environments for 2SLGBTQI+ elders.
See the seniors guide for the fuller picture.
Racialized, Indigenous & newcomer communities
- Black CAP & Black Queer Youth Collective — culturally relevant outreach & support for the Black 2SLGBTQ+ community.
- AQUA (Asian Queer Alliance), Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention & the 2SLGBTQ+ BIPOC Wellness Group — culturally specific peer support & sexual health.
- 2-Spirited People of the First Nation (416-944-9300), Anishnawbe Health & the Native Youth Sexual Health Network — Indigenous Two-Spirit supports. See the Indigenous guide.
- Rainbow Railroad, FrancoQueer (French) & MCC Toronto — help for 2SLGBTQ+ refugees & newcomers; The 519’s Mock Hearing Program preps IRB claimants. See the newcomer guide.
Community, family & connection
Community & recreation
- The 519 — the city's central hub: drop-ins, events & the on-site Fabarnak Community Cafe.
- Pride Toronto — the annual festival plus year-round events, including Blockorama for African, Black & Caribbean 2SLGBTQ+ community.
- Toronto Public Library — 2SLGBTQ+ collections at every branch (largest at Yorkville).
Families & parenting
- CTYS Families in TRANSition (FIT) — group program & workbook for caregivers of trans youth.
- PFLAG-style peer groups — for parents, family & friends processing a coming out or transition.
- COLAGE — network for people with LGBTQ+ parents; GSA Network for 2SLGBTQ+ students & allies in the TDSB.
Practical tips for accessing services
Quick-reference: key contacts
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 |
| 2SLGBTQ+ peer support (29 and under) | 647-694-4275 (LGBT Youthline) |
| Trans-specific peer support | Trans Lifeline |
| General crisis / distress | 416-408-4357 or 988 |
| Gender-based violence, any gender | 416-863-0511 |
| Primary care & trans health hub | 416-324-4100 (Sherbourne Health) |
| Legal, housing & community hub | The 519, 519 Church St |
| Province-wide provider directory | Rainbow Health Ontario, 416-324-4100 |
| General service navigation, 24/7 | 2-1-1 (call or text) |
| Human trafficking | 1-833-900-1010 |
Trans-specific peer support
- Contact
- Trans Lifeline
Legal, housing & community hub
- Contact
- The 519, 519 Church St
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- The 519 — City of Toronto
- Sherbourne Health — Sherbourne Health
- Rainbow Health Ontario Service Directory — RHO
- Friends of Ruby — Friends of Ruby
- HQ Toronto — HQ Toronto
Reflects publicly available program information as of mid-2026, including the closure of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) on March 31, 2026. Program details, hours, and eligibility change — confirm directly with the agency, especially for legal clinics that run on fixed monthly schedules.