Facebook groups
- There are many queer affirming and safe Facebook groups for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Okanagan (i.e. Okanagan Gender Identity Group (OGIG), Kelowna Pride Group).
Dr. Chantalle Brace BASc MD FRCSC (she/her)
- Obstetrician Gynecologist at Kelowna General Hospital
- Chantalle provides care to queer and gender-diverse individuals; helping to manage pain, bleeding, and/or mood symptoms associated with menstruation, stopping periods for people who desire it, and surgery by hysterectomy for trans or nonbinary folks who don’t want to have a uterus → Doctor or RN referral required (reach out if a person does not have a provider/access, Chantalle can potentially support in this).
- Occasional queer groups (i.e. Virtual Queer Café, Queer Relationships).
- Youth group facilitated by The Bridge Youth and Family Services
Living Positive Resource Centre
- Provides harm reduction, prevention and education resources, and supportive services that focus on individual and community health and wellness to anyone living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, Hep C, or related health issues.
- MHI’s goal is to increase supportive, community-based networks for men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) within Interior BC while raising attention to their needs and concerns.
- Partners of Trans People can speak to/seek support from one another.
- A non-profit organization developed by and for parents and caregivers of trans, gender diverse, and two-spirit people in Kelowna and the Okanagan. They host monthly facilitated support meetings for parents, as well as family social events, guest speakers and learning events.
- Helps you connect to gender-affirming health and wellness supports as close to home as possible.
- Online resources (i.e. counselling, access to gender affirming clothing etc.)
Counselling
- No cost counselling by 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or IBPOC staff.
- Private counselling – some 2SLGBTQIA+ counsellors available.
CONNECT Counselling and Okanagan Clinical Counselling
- Queer/queer inclusive counsellors.
- 2SLGTBTQIA+ affirming therapists in British Columbia.
- Private, virtual 2SLGBTQIA+ and IBPOC counselling in BC.
Support Lines
LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688; text 647-694-4275
TrevorLifeline by the Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Where to get a Hormone Readiness Assessment?
- For ages 12-24.
Outreach Urban Health: Dr. Neil Hanon
- Able to assess for HRT readiness and prescribe hormones directly.
Capri Medical Centre: Dr. Christine Hoppe
Clarity Okanagan Counselling and Consultation: Julie Wright
- Harpal Malhi, BSW, MSW, RSW
- Glenn Bekar, BSW, MC, RN, RCC
- Contact the health navigation team: transcareteam@phsa.ca
UBCO Student Health Clinic: Paulina Niechcial, NP
Cedar Moon Counselling: Shay Manerikar (they/them), MSW RSW
- Includes hormone planning, letter to practitioner and assessment.