LGBTQ - Resources and References

LGBTQ resources are available from local, regional and international/web sources. References cited in bold have a health component or focus. Most are also web-based and the url is cited after the hyperlinked keywords/title. There are services for both adult and youth populations.

Adult Services – Hamilton  The McMaster University GLBTQ Centre (http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/glbt/) has a primary mandate to act as a place where individuals can access resources, support and contacts pertinent to issues surrounding gender and sexual identities.

 The Well (http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/) is the local Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Community Wellness Centre.

 Family Medicine at McMaster University has a web page with an expansive array of links (http://fammedmcmaster.ca/research/interests/url_links.html/) related to health and social aspects of the GLBTQ community in North America.

Adult Services – Regional  Halton Organization for Pride and Education - HOPE (http://www.haltonpride.org/) supports the Halton communities in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  Toronto's Gay West Community Network (http://gaywest.905host.net/) was founded in 2001. It serves the West Toronto GLBTTIQ community in the area bounded by the The Humber River, north to Highway 401, south to Lakeshore Road and east to Bathurst Street.  OUTniagara (http://www.outniagara.ca/home.htm) is an umbrella group serving Niagara's sexual- and gender-diverse community.

Adult Services – International

 The Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (http://glma.org/) works to ensure equality in health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and health care professionals. GLMA achieves its goals by using medical expertise in professional education, public policy work, patient education and referrals, and the promotion of research.

 Seattle’s King County GLBT Health (http://www.metrokc.gov/health/glbt/) & Gay City (http://www.gaycity.org/) are web page examples of US based links designed to discuss the particular health concerns of the GLBT community and to provide tools to health care providers to ensure that health care environments are welcoming.  The National Coalition of LGBT Health (http://www.lgbthealth.net/) offers health information and links for academic journals, organizations and centers in the USA.

 The Safeguards Project (http://www.safegurads.org) seeks to advance the knowledge of health issues affecting GLBTQ communities through community- based participatory research, collaborative programs, and advocacy. The site has online articles directed toward patients, providers & communities.

 Developed and monitored by experts in LGBT health care, the lgbthealthchannel (http://www.lgbthealthchannel.com/) provides trustworthy information about health and wellness issues that affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

 The Princeton University Library LGBT Resources (http://firestone.princeton.edu/glstudies/) contains many materials divided by topic or resource, and includes several web gateways. It is a good example of a university based resource list.

 The International Day Against Homophobia (http://www.homophobiaday.org) each year holds a special day - May 17th - dedicated to the social recognition of the homosexual experience.

 The Queer Resource Directory (http://www.qrd.org/qrd/) is the internet's largest database of text and links for and about gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and others.

Current Books

 Caring for Lesbian and Gay People: A Clinical Guide. Allan D. Peterkin and Cathy Risdon, 2003

 The Handbook of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Public Health: A Practitioner’s Guide to Service. Michael D. Shankle (editor), 2006

 Midlife and Older LGBT Adults: Knowledge and Affirmative Practice for the Social Services. Sky Hunter, 2005

 The Health of Sexual Minorities: Public Health Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations. Ilan H. Meyer & Mary E. Northridge (editors), 2006

 Current Issues in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Health. Jay Harcourt (editor), 2006 Youth Services – Hamilton

 The Well (http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/) is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Queer Community Wellness Centre in Hamilton.

 Health Initiatives for Youth Hamilton (http://www.hifyhamilton.com/) exists to provide youth (14-24 years old) with health information and services regarding relationships, sexual & reproductive health, addictions, body image, self esteem, partner violence, sexual orientation, grief and youth medicine. Information is available on an individual or group basis. The Rainbow Youth Group meets from this location on Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.

Youth Services – Regional

 The Lesbian Gay Trans Youth Line (http://www.youthline.ca/) website contains multiple links for regional programs. There is also a toll-free Ontario-wide peer- support phone line @ 1 800 268 9688 for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, 2-spirited, queer and questioning young people. Callers can talk to a youth volunteer who understands current concerns and issues. TTY service for the hearing impaired is available.

 The Haldimand and Norfolk Gay and Bisexual and Lesbian or Transgendered (GaBaLoT) Youth Group (http://www.gabalot.ca/) is a peer support group for youth between the ages of 14 and 24. GaBaLoT is an open- ended, informal group of youth who come together to share their thoughts and experiences in a safe, comfortable, and relaxed environment. GaBaLoT meets bi-weekly in a safe location. For more information, call Jayne, Norfolk Area Contact, at 519-426-6170 Ext 3225, or Terri, Haldimand Area Contact, at 905- 318-5367 Ext 346, or email [email protected].

Youth Services – International

 Gayteens ( http://www.gayteens.org/ ) is a worldwide support and information link for young people, their families, and for those who are unsure of their sexuality.

 Outproud (http://www.outproud.org/) is the US based website for The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth.

For families & friends…

 PFLAG Canada (http://www.pflagcanada.ca/) is a registered charitable organization that provides support, education and resources to parents, families and individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity.