Domestic violence doesn’t just happen in heterosexual relationships. LGBTQ2S+ survivors experience emotional, physical, and sexual abuse—and often face additional challenges when seeking help.

This guide connects Ontario’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities to inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed support services.

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• Abuse can include:

  • Threats to “out” someone to family or community

  • Misgendering, deadnaming, or controlling gender expression

  • Isolation from queer networks or chosen family

  • Using hormones or medication access as a tool of control

  • Physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual abuse, just like in any relationship

• Many LGBTQ2S+ survivors fear:

  • Being turned away from shelters

  • Homophobic or transphobic service providers

  • Police mistrust or re-traumatization

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• Trans Lifeline – 1-877-330-6366

  • Peer support for trans people, run by trans volunteers

• LGBT YouthLine (Ontario) – 1-800-268-9688 or text 647-694-4275

  • Support for youth under 29 who identify as 2SLGBTQ+

• Talk4Healing – 1-855-554-HEAL

  • For Indigenous women and 2-Spirit people in Ontario

• Assaulted Women’s Helpline (AWHL) – 1-866-863-0511

  • Inclusive of all women-identifying survivors, including trans women

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• The 519 (Toronto)

  • Safety planning, housing referrals, and legal support for LGBTQ2S+ people

• Friends of Ruby (Toronto)

  • Shelter and mental health support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth (ages 16–29)

• Glad Day Lit’s Emergency Survival Fund

  • Financial support for queer folks in crisis

• Egale Youth OUTreach

  • Counselling, housing, and peer support for LGBTQ2S+ youth

• YWCA Toronto

  • Shelter access inclusive of trans and non-binary survivors

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• HALCO (HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario)

  • Legal support for LGBTQ2S+ people, especially those living with HIV

• Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY)

  • Legal aid for 2SLGBTQ+ youth facing abuse, housing, or custody issues

• Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity (CCGSD)

  • Education, referrals, and peer resources

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• Rainbow Health Ontario

  • Database of 2SLGBTQ+ affirming doctors and therapists

• SickKids Gender Identity Clinic

  • Support for trans youth and their families

• Sherbourne Health Centre (Toronto)

  • Gender-affirming medical, counselling, and wellness services

• Planned Parenthood Toronto

  • Trauma counselling and STI/HIV testing in an inclusive environment

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• ✅ Abuse can happen in all gender and relationship identities

• ✅ Many mainstream services are becoming more inclusive—ask questions

• ✅ Peer-run lines, queer shelters, and affirming clinics are here to help

• ✅ Legal and mental health supports are available across Ontario

• ✅ You deserve safety, respect, and support—exactly as you are

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• Trans Lifeline – 1-877-330-6366

• LGBT YouthLine – 1-800-268-9688

• The 519 – the519.org

• Friends of Ruby – friendsofruby.ca

• Rainbow Health Ontario – rainbowhealthontario.ca

• Egale Canada – egale.ca

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