Vancouver Island and BC resources

Since 1986, AIDS Vancouver Island has been working to improve the lives of people living with HIV or AIDS and to prevent more individuals from becoming infected with the virus.

BC based, Options for Sexual Health is  a provider of sexual health services through clinics, advocacy, education programs, and the 1-800 SEX SENSE information and referral line.

Qmunity based in Vancouver is BC’s Queer Resource Centre whose mission is to improve queer and trans lives.

The Transgender Health Information Program (THiP) is a BC-wide information hub providing information about gender affirming care and supports, is in the process of integrating with the Trans Care BC program at PHSA.

Smart Sex Resource  is a great site that was previously known as STD resource.  Smart Sex Resource is BC’s information resource for individuals and health care providers  for STIs. The site features current information, sections on FAQs, clinic finder in BC and regular opportunities to chat with a Registered Nurse.

Sexuality education addresses a number of topics such as private and public, touch and boundaries, social skills, relationships, puberty, sexual activities, decision making, health and safety. Over the years, FSRC has developed a number of educational kits and workshops for parents, caregivers, professionals and the general public. Much of the information included in these workshops are now available from this site. These guides, written for both parents and professionals, provide an overview of basic sexuality issues and education concepts along with practical strategies and resources to support healthy sexual development and prevent abuse for children and young people with disabilities.

The only AIDS organization on Vancouver Island directed entirely by and for individuals living with HIV.

Vancouver Island Women’s clinic is an organization that provides a range of services including medical and surgical abortions, IUD insertion, endometrial biopsies and medical and surgical completion of miscarriages (spontaneous abortions).

With an annual operating budget of 1 million, each year VSAC provides services for over 2,500 people through our Sexual Assault Response Team (SART); Group and Individual Counseling programs; 24-hour crisis & information line; an award winning prevention and education program called Project Respect; and workshops for parents and friends.

A resource guide produced by VIHA’s Aboriginal Health Department with the sole purpose to increase heatlh access and awareness; to inform Aboriginal, Metis and Inuit people of the health services available on southern Vancouver Island.

Free Confidential Health Clinic for Youth Ages 12-24 based in Victoria BC. Nurse or Doctor to help with all health concerns.

The Men’s Trauma Centre is a non-profit society based in Victoria, B.C. Canada. The Men’s Trauma Centre exists to provide treatment and support services to adult and late adolescent males who are survivors of physical, emotional or sexual trauma as well as support for our clients’ significant others.

Nurses and sex educators at OPT BC are standing by to answer your call! Call 1-800 SEX SENSE Monday – Friday, 9am to 9pm to talk to a REAL person who will never get weird on you. Calls are free within BC and always confidential. You can also send them a message using the question box in the side column on the right.

Young Parent Outreach is a dynamic resource program providing services to young pregnant women, young moms and dads, and their children in the Greater Victoria area. These services – provided by the Cridge – are designed to give young pregnant women and young moms and dads the help they need to have healthy babies and to be effective, successful parents. The purpose of this site is to provide resources for young parents and families in the Greater Victoria area. The site contains informative articles, blog postings and video clips on topics ranging from pregnancy, parenting newborns, general advice to how to baby proof your house.

Young Parents Support Network (YPSN) is a small, non-profit organization whose mission is to support and empower young parent families in the Coast Salish Territories (Victoria, BC). (250) 384-0552

YPSN works to meet the needs of the young parent community through parenting programs and groups, as well as one-to-one services for young and expecting parents facing challenges in their lives. YPSN actively encourages parents to let staff know what services and programs would best meet the needs of the young parent community.

Her Way Home is a child-focused, women-centred, and family-oriented clinic that will initially offer a wide range of health and social services to expecting and new mothers with substance use issues. No referral needed.

Call: 250-388-5550, Monday to Friday

HerWay Home is located in the Family Resource Centre in the James Bay Community Project.

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 (including but not limited to people who identify as Two Spirit, bisexual, lesbian, gay, and pansexual, as well as people who do not identify with these labels); 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.

The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is your on-campus sexual assault centre at the University of Victoria. We offer confidential services for anyone who has experienced sexual violence or knows someone who has.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons in British Columbia physician offers a directory which provides information about individual physicians, including contact information and qualifications, and whether or not they are accepting new patients (family physicians only).

 Sexual health reading

  • Action Canada For Sexual Health & Rights
    An organization that works in Canada and around the world to promote health, well-being, and rights related to sexuality and reproduction. We provide direct support, referrals, and information to the people who need it most, partner with groups and organizations on a range of campaigns using a collaborative, movement-building approach, and work with decision-makers to advance progressive policies on access to abortion, stigma-free healthcare, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and inclusive sex-ed.
  • Amaze is a fantastic website that covers child and adolescent sexual development. It has portals for children, youth, parents and educators to access written information, short videos and resources.
  • Not-2-Late
    Find your nearest source for morning after pills, and get information about emergency contraception.
  • HPV Immunization Information
    Comprehensive Information on BC’s HPV Immunization Initiative.
  • MTV sexual health site
  • Scarleteen
    Real-world sex education for teens, with volunteer-staffed message boards.
  • Sexuality and U
  • TeenHealthSource
    Planned Parenthood of Toronto site for teenagers
  • Women’s Health Matters
    Reliable information on women’s health issues including sexual health

GLBTT2IQA+ resources

  • PFLAG
    Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
  • Pride Education Network
    The primary focus of Pride Education Network is to advocate–on behalf of students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators–for systemic change in the educational system which will result in a positive environment in education, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation/expression. Pride Education Network also offers support to members through regular meetings, social events and periodic newsletters.
  • Prime Timers Victoria
    Prime Timers Victoria (BC Canada) is an organization that exists to meet the social, educational and recreational needs of mature gay and bi-sexual men, 40 years and older.
  • Trans Health BC Program
    The Transgender Health Program in Vancouver is the most concrete resource in the province. The Program has a directory of trans-friendly health and social groups, list of peer support groups, online library, and links to other resources.
  • Vancouver Island Trans Resources
  • Vancouver Island Trans Resource listed is hosted by the Chair in Transgender Studies at UVic. This resource and information site is for trans and gender diverse people and their allies on Vancouver Island.
  • Victoria Lesbian Seniors Care Society
    The purpose of Victoria Lesbian Seniors Care Society is to support lesbian health and social needs as we age by providing safe, accessible, welcoming spaces to build community through public education and social action. The society is open to lesbians of all ages.
  • Victoria Pride Society
    The victoria pride society is committed to bringing family centered events to our community all year round.
  • Youth Resource
    YouthResource is a US based Web site created by and for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) young people. YouthResource takes a holistic approach to sexual health and exploring issues of concern to GLBTQ youth, by providing information and offer support on sexual and reproductive health issues through education and advocacy.
  • Youth @ South Island Pride Centre The South Island Pride Community Centre is a community resource providing support, health and social services, and public education for the well-being of people of all genders, gender identities, and sexualities, and their allies in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia.
  • Youthline
    Based in Ontario, Youthline is The Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line. According to their website, they are “a service provided by youth for youth.  We’re here to offer support, information and referrals specific to your concerns.  We are here because we want to be there for you – to be part of your community.  We may not have lived your experiences exactly, but we can probably relate. We too, are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit or queer.”

Healthy relationships

  • Chat Danger
    Chat Danger is a site all about the potential dangers on interactive services online like chat, IM, online games, email and on mobiles
  • Project Respect
    (Yes Means Yes)
  • Red Cross Relationship Guidelines Relationship violence can strike anyone, but teenagers are particularly vulnerable to misconceptions about what physical and emotional violence are, and what they mean. If it hurts, dominates or controls, it’s not romance

Youth resources in Victoria

  • Youth @ South Island PrideCentre The South Island Pride Community Centre is a community resource providing support, health and social services, and public education for the well-being of people of all genders, gender identities, and sexualities, and their allies in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia.
  • Youthcore | Youth core is greater Victoria’s online youth portal for young people in the Greater Victoria are to connect, learn and enjoy our communities in safe and positive ways.
  • Youthspace | Youth space is a Victoria based resource  for youth (under the age of 25) that provides live one on one chat , forums, e-counselling and an extensive online resource database.

Linking policy

We do our best to maintain links to reputable sites, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy of other websites (or their advertisers), since these sites change often. Please be cautious about any information you read online. You can always call us for good information or to meet with one of our educators.

If you find one of these links offensive, out of date, or otherwise inappropriate, please contact us with the URL and the reason for your concern, so that we can review the link. Thanks!