You are welcome here. In Canada, same-sex spouses have the same rights as opposite-sex spouses. Provinces are (slowly) working to include “non-binary” as a gender option. We are not perfect, but we welcome you.
Queer News: Victoria and Vancouver Island: This group is for the posting of any news related to queer folk in Victoria, B.C. or the lower island/Gulf Islands in general. This includes but is not limited to: Community Events,
Programs, Healthcare, Arts & Culture, Business, and Achievements.
Living Out Visibly & Engaged Community Response Network: Coordinating a community response to sexual and gender minority adult abuse, neglect and self-neglect.
Vancouver Island Transgender Support: We all need support in life. Going through life as a transgender person can sometimes mean we need even more support. This is a group for folks to give and get that support. Share your stories, give tips and advice and just be positive. Tell us about your transition milestones or seek advice. Connect with others and join in some of the local LGBTQ events.
VanIsle Transmen: A facebook group to connect transmasculine folks on the islands to share support, information, resources both online and in semi-regular meet-ups. This is a “secret” (unfindable) group; contact us if you would like to join.
LGBTQ Outdoors – Victoria and Vancouver Island, BC: A group for LGBT2Q+ people & their family, partners and friends on Vancouver ISLAND who are into exploring the outdoors.
Victoria Lesbian Seniors Care Society: They support lesbian health and social needs on Vancouver Island. They provide safe, accessible, and welcoming spaces, and build community through public education and social action. The society is open to lesbians of all ages and plans events, forums for education, provide courses, has weekly movies and bi-weekly social gatherings.
Victoria
Victoria Pride Society: Working to support the queer community of Greater Victoria, organize the annual Pride parade and festival, and support queer youth initiatives.
Homospun Collective Events: Homospun Collective Events is a volunteer-run group that regularly puts on inclusive events in Victoria, BC, Coast Salish Territory for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, two-spirit, genderqueer, and questioning communities, as well as our friends, allies, and anyone interested in creating alternative spaces to meet, create, dance, relax, and make friends. They organize community celebrations, dances, movie nights, craft events, and gatherings of all kinds.
Creating Connections Victoria: Creating Connections is a common posting Facebook page for events (mainly queer) of interest to the IslandZ community.
Alt Pride Fest: A collective that is organizing local events to coincide with the Victoria Pride Festival and provide more event options for our communities. Organizers are working to avoid perpetuating systemic oppressions including settler-colonialism and racisms in this work and will do our best to create inclusive events here on traditional territories of the Lekwungen and WSANEC peoples.
UVic Pride: UVic Pride is an organization for all people who are queer, queer-positive, gender-variant and/or intersex. We strive to meet the needs of people who self-identify as queer; trans people; those who are questioning their sexuality or gender; those who are struggling with concerns related to intersexuality; and supportive partners, friends, family members, and allies.
Camosun Pride Collective: The Pride Centre at Camosun College is a safe space afforded by the CCSS for any student who self-identifies as being lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, asexual, queer, questioning, intersex, or anyone who self-identifies that their sexuality or gender identity as queer*; also to assist people who are questioning/coming out; supply a forum for dialogue about sexuality and gender identity; host social events, and educate the Camosun campus community about the wonderful variation in human sexuality and gender identity.
UVic Chair in Transgender Studies: The Chair in Transgender Studies is a research and community outreach hub dedicated to community-building and to fostering and sharing scholarship by and about trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people. We conduct original research, and we support both existing and new academic and community scholars to pursue careers in Transgender Studies through our scholarships and fellowships program. We build local, national, and international linkages with scholars and community members interested in Transgender Studies by sponsoring the biennial Moving Trans History Forward conferences and hosting visiting research scholars from around the world. We share knowledge and educate the public by hosting colloquia and lectures, and by advising government and non-profits agencies on policies and practices.
Queer Housing Victoria: This is a group for LGBTTQQI2SA+ (LGBTQ+) self identified people that are seeking or offering shared accommodation in Victoria (B.C.). This group exists due to the specific barriers that LGBTQ+ folks face in regards to accommodation.
Queer Quills Writing Group: A queer (and allied) Adult writing group.
Peers Victoria Resource Society: Through direct service delivery and community partnerships, Peers provides an array of outreach and drop in harm reduction and support services alongside education and employment training for current and former sex workers, in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.
Aids Vancouver Island: AVI serves the needs of people infected and affected by HIV and hepatitis C. They take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma.
TransAction Victoria: TransAction is a local collective, advocating for the rights of, and striving to create community with and for Trans & Gender-Variant people in the Greater Victoria Area, Coast Salish Territories, through direct action, awareness raising activities & the on going project of creating safer spaces.
CRUSH Collective: Dedicated to creating inclusive, queer-focused dance parties.
Victoria Rainbow Choir: New entry quarterly, this is an open, non-auditioned choir for self-identified queer folks in the Greater Victoria area.
Rainbow Health Co-operative: A trans owned community health co-operative working on building community connections, researching community needs and disparities, and fill healthcare and livelihood services needs.
Jobs for Queers Victoria, BC: A place to post and find jobs or volunteer opportunities for queers in the GVA.
Lesbian/Bi/Queer Women 20-40 of Victoria: An inclusive group for women (singles or couples) in their twenties and thirties and of all backgrounds who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pan-sexual or queer in any way, including transgender individuals who identify as women or woman-aligned. They aim to organize a variety of events including social get-togethers, pool nights, capture the flag, brunches, picnics, geocaching, movie night, hiking, biking, etc.
Island Lesbian Social: This is a group of lesbian-identified womyn (ie lesbian, bi, 2-spirited, trans, etc) in the Greater Victoria/ South Vancouver Island area who come together and connect in safe, supportive and fun environments. Join them to explore all that our beautiful Island home has to offer … potluck events, music jams, open music/ poetry mikes, games/cards night, music&movement/ dances, solstice celebrations, beach or forest walks, and more.
Victoria Gay/Bi Men’s Social & Activity Group: This is a group of gay or bi men who want to get together with other guys for group social interaction and activities. These activities are dependant on the interest of the people in the group and have been varied over time.
Cowichan Valley
Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley Lesbians: This group is intended to be casual and relaxed and a place to visit and have fun with other women who are lesbian/gay or who are queer friendly! We do pot lucks, concerts, games nights, or just visit. The possibilities are wide open.
Nanaimo
Nanimo Pride Society: Empowering, celebrating, and promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and respect among persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Port Alberni
Alberni Valley Pride: Serving the LGBTQ+ community of the Alberni Valley.
Alberni Valley Pride – Social Group: A positive place for LGBTQ+ of the Alberni Valley, their friends, family and allies, to connect with each other and build community.
Salt Spring Island
Diverse and Inclusive Salt Spring Island: DAISSI is a non-profit society for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning people with Allies on Salt Spring Island. There are events to enjoy, justice issues to work on, committees to join and jobs that need doing. We celebrate Pride with a weekend-long festival on the weekend following Labour Day every September. Board meetings are held every month. We welcome your participation in any aspect of the society.