Navigating community resources can be hard. We’ve collaborated with local service providers to create this list of resources so you can easily access the supports and services you need.
See something that isn’t listed? Send us an email with your suggestion!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
BOW VALLEY
PRIDE NETWORK
The Bow Valley Pride Network is a joint initiative of Banff Pride Society and Canmore Pride Society that provides professional DEI workplace training, certifies inclusive businesses through our Inclusion Commitments, and advances 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion through advocacy, research, and community partnerships across the Bow Valley.
GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE
Gender-affirming healthcare encompasses a range of social, psychological, behavioural, and medical interventions designed to support and affirm an individual's gender identity, especially when it differs from the sex assigned at birth. It's a holistic approach that may include medical treatments like hormone therapy or surgery, alongside psychological support and social services. The goal is to help individuals live authentically and comfortably in their gender identity.
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Mountain Maternity and Family Medicine is a Canmore-based gender affirming and inclusive care clinic. Dr. YiZue Wang runs the specialized clinic with additional training to support 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive care.
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Ridgeview's Sexual Health Clinic, part of Ridgeview & Spring Creek Integrated Health in Canmore, provides a range of services including STI testing and treatment, birth control options and prescriptions, PAP and cervical cancer screening, pregnancy testing and support, IUD and Nexplanon insertions and removals, PrEP consultations, and safer sex education. They also offer 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive care.
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Virtual gender-affirming care
Foria Clinic provides virtual, gender-affirming healthcare services, primarily focusing on hormone therapy and related support. They offer services like hormone therapy, surgical referrals, gender marker changes, and mental health support, including psychotherapy and medication management. Foria also provides resources and guidance on sexual and reproductive health, safer sex practices, and HIV prevention. -
The Trans Wellness Initiative (TWI) provides a range of services focused on improving the health and wellness of trans and non-binary individuals in Alberta. These services include information and resources on topics like sexual and mental health, navigating pathways to surgery, and social and legal transition. They also offer the "Introduction to Affirming Spaces Training" for healthcare providers to enhance their understanding and delivery of competent care to trans and gender-diverse individuals.
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The Queer & Trans Health Collective (QTHC) is an Edmonton-based, grassroots organization led by and for queer and trans community members. The organization advances queer and trans well-being by improving equitable access to health education, peer support, capacity building, community-based research, and training for health care providers, helping create more inclusive and affirming health systems.
Check out their guide: “How to Access Medical Gender-Affirming Care in Alberta for Adults”
MENTAL HEALTH
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Canmore Counselling offers sliding scale counselling supports for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community in addition to a variety of services, including individual, couples, and virtual counselling. They foster a community-focused approach with services like community care, reciprocity, acceptance, and heart-based connection. Some counsellors at Canmore Counselling also specialize in areas like trauma-informed yoga, psychology and heart-based business practices.
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Canmore & Banff
Mental Health and Addiction supports are provided by therapists who are regulated health professionals in either the field of Psychology or Social Work. Both professions’ ethical codes and core values require them to strive for inclusivity, justice and inherent dignity of all people they serve. Clinic staff have had opportunities to learn about gender affirming care and their support role in advocating on behalf of their clients and supporting their clients to access care, as needed. Additional training offered includes:2SLGBTQ+ Basics – Building Safer Spaces in Health Care
Gender, Sex and Sexual Orientation and how to document in Connect Care
Patient & Family Centred Care
Welcoming & Engaging Practice
Some staff have taken additional training out of a personal interest or a recognition that their practice could benefit from it. If a client accessing services doesn’t find their care provider adequate or there isn’t good rapport, they can ask for a transfer of care because we know that rapport is crucial to progress and recovery.
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Online / Sliding scale
Groundfire Counselling and Community Work (GCCW) provides a range of services, including individual and relationship counselling, as well as supervision and consultation for practitioners and community organizers. They specialize in narrative therapy and work to build community hubs and foster relational skills within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. -
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
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Calgary Outlink Peer Support & Resource Hotline. You Matter is a non-crisis peer support and resource line for 2SLGBTQ+ community members, run by Calgary Outlink. You can call about anything you’re looking for support with, including identity, relationships, coming out, transitioning, community, resources, and more!
1-587-800-4121 (Monday - Thursday, 5:00 - 9:00 PM)
CalgaryOutlink.ca/you-matter/
2SLGBTQIA+ SUPPORT SERVICES
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Calgary + Alberta-wide support
Skipping Stone in Calgary provides a wide range of services to support and empower trans and gender diverse youth, adults, and their families in Alberta. These services include group support, gender-affirming gear, community events, medical and mental health services, training, and education. They also offer peer support, system navigation assistance, and connections to social and community resources. -
Calgary Outlink is a community-based, not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing support, education, outreach, legal information, and referrals for the 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied communities in Calgary, Alberta. Including in-person and online social and support groups.
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The Calgary Rainbow Room is Calgary's 2SLGBTQI+ Community Centre, providing peer support, settlement services, refugee claimant assistance, and refugee sponsorship programs for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. As a collaborative hub shared with other 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, groups, and projects, the Calgary Rainbow Room offers accessible, culturally inclusive support and resources for people of all ages and backgrounds.
YOUTH-SPECIFIC RESOURCES
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Ages 11–25 | Free virtual therapy
Kickstand Connect offers a range of free, virtual mental health and substance use services for young people in Alberta aged 11-25. These services include mental health counselling, substance use counselling, peer support, and employment support. They also offer group activities and workshops. Kickstand Connect aims to provide accessible and inclusive support, particularly for BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ youth. -
Online resources
Online mental health resources for LGBTQIA2S+ children and youth. -
Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.
Call 1-800-268-9688
Text 1-647-694-4275
YouthLine.ca -
Camp fYrefly is a fun, educational, social and personal leadership retreat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth ages 13-17 that takes place at YMCA Camp Chief Hector in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Campers explore their identity, build resilience, enhance self-esteem and develop leadership skills that positively impact their lives, homes, schools and communities. Workshops, outdoor activities, mental health support, art programming and community building are just some examples of what to expect!
LOCAL SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Looking to connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ folks? Explore these local groups:
ADVOCACY RESOURCES
These organizations are leading the work in advocating for queer and trans people in Alberta and across Canada. Join their mailing lists and/or follow them on social media to learn how you can take action.
If you are looking for local advocacy opportunities, please visit the Bow Valley Pride Network.
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The TransAction Alberta Coalition is a growing coalition of 52,000+ individual Albertans and 100+ partners and endorsing organizations and businesses that share the common goal of ensuring that Alberta is a safe and inclusive place for two-spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people.
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Queer Momentum was founded to build a national movement for freedom, equality, and human rights.
Queer Momentum organizes campaigns that advance freedom, equality, and human rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The organization supports, trains, and mobilizes 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied advocates across Canada, while building coalitions within and across movements around a shared vision of a more progressive, free, and equal future.
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Egale is Canada's leading organization dedicated to advancing the rights, health, and well-being of 2SLGBTQI people. Through research, education, awareness, and advocacy, the organization works to improve lives and advance human rights and equality across Canada and around the world. Its work helps create societies and systems grounded in the belief that all people are equal and that no one is treated as "other."
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Queer Citizens United is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to defending queer spaces, events, livelihoods, and joy. The organization builds solidarity across marginalized communities, amplifies community-led advocacy, and shares opportunities for collective action. Through education, organizing, and mobilization, Queer Citizens United works to strengthen community resilience and advance equity and justice for all.
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Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of people of diverse sexualities and genders through research and intervention development.
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Canadian Women & Sport supports a sport system that is fair, inclusive, and welcoming for all women and girls, including trans women and girls. Guided by Canadian human rights, expert recommendations, and leading sport organizations, the organization is committed to advancing equity and inclusion across sport.
Canadian Women & Sport continues to learn through research, collaboration, and ongoing dialogue to help ensure that sport is safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.
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Affirming Connections is a Canadian organization that strengthens and amplifies the voices and actions of fully inclusive faith communities and individuals. Specializing in the intersections of queerness and faith, the organization provides education, advocacy, leadership support, and theological resources to help create affirming faith spaces. It supports 2SLGBTQIA+ people throughout their journeys while working alongside communities, allies, and organizations to advance belonging, challenge religious discrimination, and promote a future where all people are safe, celebrated, and valued.
ALLYSHIP & EDUCATION
Allyship is the practice of using one’s privilege and power to support and advocate for individuals and groups who experience marginalization and oppression. It involves actively working to dismantle systems of inequality and creating a more inclusive and equitable environment. Allyship is not a label one can give themselves, but rather a role that is recognized by those being supported. Below are some resources to help support this work.
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Bow Valley Pride Network
(Supported by Banff Pride Society and Canmore Pride Society)
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Egale Canada - Online Guides and Webinars
Last Update: April 2026
Please note that all suggestions listed are recommendations based on individual experiences and may not be a fit for everyone’s needs. Please choose your resources, care practitioners, and support providers based on best fit with your unique needs and preferences.