frequently asked questions.
frequently asked questions.
questions? you're not alone.
questions? you're not alone.
Understanding identity, support, and advocacy can be hard — but you are not alone.
Whether you are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, a parent who wants to help, or a supportive friend, here are answers to common questions to help you learn, support others, and respect different experiences in the community.
Choose any question below to reveal more details. You can click, tap or use the keyboard to explore further.Select any question below to expand.
Our Services:
Rainbow Basics is a free one-hour educational workshop (virtual or in-person) for groups and organizations. These sessions covering terminology, the coming-out experience, and practical allyship. There’s a “book a workshop” button on our Find Help & Education page — use it to request a session for your organization.
Yes — we offer educational presentations (Rainbow Basics) and custom workshops for schools, workplaces, and community groups.
For more information or to submit a request, select the “Request A Workshop” button via our Find Help & Education page and submit a request, we’ll follow up.
pflag Peel Region offers several ways of accessing peer support for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their families and allies across Peel region:
For individuals over 18 years of age (of 16-18 if accompanied by a parent/guardian), pflag Peel regions hosts monthly peer to peer support groups that provides a caring, listening ear and a compassionate space where you can connect with others who truly understand.
In addition, we make it easy for members of the community to find resources to meet the specific care and support needs they may be navigating through our Resource Finder tool. We encourage you to explore, and always welcome your feedback.
Yes. Our Resource Finder tool is a free searchable directory of trusted 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming providers, organizations, books, and media — searchable by topic, type of resource, and location. No login or registration is required. Try the Resource Finder and other useful information at our Find Help & Education page.
Yes. At our ‘After Hours’ sessions, youth can independently attend at the age of 18. Youth 16+ can attend WITH an adult caregiver/ guardian. Some other workshops and group sessions may have age guidelines, so we recommend checking the event details or contacting us directly to confirm. See the latest schedule of sessions on our Events & Key Dates page.
About pflag Peel Region:
We are an independent local chapter under the national pflag Canada network. We share similar values and resources but operate with local leadership, fundraising, and programming.
Visit pflag Canada for national info or view our local About Us page.
No. pflag Peel Region is a nonpartisan, volunteer-run nonprofit organization that is open to people of all backgrounds.
We welcome 2SLGBTQIA+ people, family, and allies of all faiths and political perspectives — no affiliation is required to participate. Read more about our mission and values on the About Us page.
Not at all. Our programs support people who are 2SLGBTQIA+, as well as their families, caregivers, and allies. Whether you’re coming out yourself or supporting someone else, our spaces are open to you. Learn who we serve on the Find Help & Education page.
Yes — our peer groups require advance registration, and we take steps to protect participant privacy. You’ll see details about confidentiality, privacy commitments, and how we manage registration on our Find Help & Education and privacy page. If privacy is a concern, contact us before registering.
Seeking Help and Care Resources:
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911, or
For other 2SLGBTQIA+ crisis support contact:
- Talk Suicide: 1.833.456.4566 toll-free, anytime, or text 45645 between 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (help line) (Canada wide)
Note: pflag Peel Region does not own or operate these emergency services. These contact numbers are offered as a service and we cannot guarantee service availability or outcomes.
If you are NOT in a crisis and need someone to talk to now, there are helplines available 24/7 for you.
For 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly support contact:
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (help line) (Canada wide)
- LGBT Youthline (Peer Support): 416-962-2232 (Ontario, Canada)
- Trans Lifeline (Peer Support): 1-877-330-6366 (Based in USA but there is a peer support phone line for Canada)
Our team of volunteers are not available 24/7. However, if you wish to speak to us, complete our contact form and someone will get back to you in 24 hours.
We also have monthly peer to peer support groups you can join. For more information and to register, see our peer to peer support group page.
You’re navigating a significant moment in your child’s life, and your desire to be the most loving, supportive parent possible, even amidst your own feelings of not fully understanding, is truly commendable. These feelings are completely valid and shared by many parents, and thankfully, you’re not alone in this journey. There’s a wealth of support and resources available to help you every step of the way.
Here’s some guidance on how to approach this:
Prioritize Your Child’s Voice
First and foremost, listen to your child. Believe them when they tell you who they are. Even if you don’t fully grasp their experience, affirming their identity by using their chosen name and pronouns is crucial for their well-being. Your acceptance sends a powerful, life-saving message.
Educate Yourself
Learn about gender identity (who someone is) versus sexual orientation (who someone is attracted to). Familiarize yourself with terms like “transgender,” “non-binary,” and “gender dysphoria.” Remember, you don’t need to feel what it’s like to be trans to support your child’s reality.
Seek Support for Yourself
This is a journey for you too. Connect with parent support groups for families of trans children – knowing you’re not alone is incredibly validating. Consider talking to a therapist knowledgeable about LGBTQIA+ issues to help you process your emotions and develop strategies.
Advocate for Your Child
Be your child’s champion. Work with their school to ensure a safe, inclusive environment. Find affirming healthcare providers who understand trans youth. Your advocacy is vital for their happiness and health.
Remember the “Why”
Your unconditional love and affirmation can significantly improve your child’s mental health and well-being. Research consistently shows that parental support is a key factor in reducing risks like depression and anxiety for trans youth.
Helpful Resources:
pflag Canada: In addition to the resources you’ll find here on the pflag Peel Region website, pflag Canada offers support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families. (For all Families – pflag Canada)
The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQIA+ young people, plus valuable educational resources. (thetrevorproject.org)
Gender Spectrum: Offers education and support to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. (genderspectrum.org)
You’re doing great by seeking to understand and support your child. This journey shows immense love, and there’s a community ready to support you both.
Use our searchable resource lookup (our Resource Finder tool) to find Peel-area providers, programs, books, and media curated for 2SLGBTQIA+ needs. Filter by Topic, Service type, Geography and/or specific Subtopic to find local, affirming care and support, and much more!
Start by listening and using the name/pronouns they choose.
Educate yourself about gender identity vs. sexual orientation, seek parent support groups, and consider professional counselling if needed. Our Find Help page lists resources, parent support group info, and national partners that can help you take next steps.
911 is the number to call in a crisis.
Rainbow Railroad supports 2SLGBTQIA+ community members who face persecution for their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.
Kids Help Phone is a national helpline for children in need of support and e-mental health services to children and youth. They are not a specific 2SLGBTQIA+ organization but have training to support those young community members.
For other national, regional and local 2SLGBTQIA+ focused organizations, use our Resource Finder tool to search our comprehensive listing of trusted educational and support resources across Peel Region and beyond, to help you find the 2SLGBTQIA+ resources, information or answers you are seeking.
A good first step is exploring our FAQ and educational resources to learn key terms and concepts. You can also sign up for a Rainbow Basics workshop or register for a peer support group to meet others and ask questions in a safe space. You can find more information and links to book a workshop or support group via our Find Help & Education page.
Seeking Information, Books & Educational Resources:
A: Gender identity refers a person’s sense of self —whether they identify as man, woman, nonbinary, or something else. It is deeply personal and may or may not align with the biological sex assigned at birth.
Sexuality, or sexual orientation, describes who a person is romantically or sexually attracted to. This includes identities like heterosexual, homosexual (gay), bisexual, asexual, and many others.
While these concepts are often confused, they are independent of each other. For example, a transgender person (someone whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth) can have any sexual orientation, just like anyone else. You can research the topic and other related subjects on our Find Help & Education page.
The simplest approach is: “Hi, I’m [your name], my pronouns are [yours] — what pronouns do you use?” This normalizes pronoun sharing and shows respect. We cover respectful language in our Rainbow Basics workshop. Learn more or book a workshop via the Find Help page.
George Hislop (1970s): A pioneering activist who fought for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and was one of the first openly gay candidates for political office in Canada.
Svend Robinson (1988): The first openly gay Member of Parliament in Canada, who championed 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and social justice.
k.d. lang (1992): A Grammy-winning musician who publicly came out as a lesbian, challenging norms in the entertainment industry and advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.
Michelle Douglas (1992): Successfully challenged the Canadian military’s discriminatory policies, leading to the end of the ban on 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals serving in the Armed Forces.
Mark Tewksbury(1998): Olympic gold medalist swimmer who came out as gay and became a strong advocate for inclusivity in sports.
Maura Lawless(Active in the 2000s): Executive director of The 519, a Toronto-based organization supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah (Present): Executive director of the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity, working to empower gender and sexually diverse communities through education and advocacy.
These individuals have played crucial roles in advancing rights, visibility, and acceptance for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Canada.
The Pride flag is a powerful symbol of unity, visibility, and resilience for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The rainbow flag represents diversity and inclusion, with each color carrying a specific meaning:
Red – Life
Orange – Healing
Yellow – Sunlight
Green – Nature
Blue – Harmony
Purple – Spirit
Over time, variations of the flag have emerged to reflect the evolving movement. Beyond its colors, the Pride flag serves as a beacon of hope, a declaration of identity, and a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality. It’s flown proudly during Pride celebrations, protests, and everyday life to affirm the presence and rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
For more history and information about the Pride flag in Canada, visit Pride Flag – Canada.ca
We don’t directly lend books today, but pflag Canada has published a recommended reading list which you can find at our Find Help & Education page. In addition, you can find pflag Peel’s own recommended reading list using our Resource Finder tool: just select ‘books’ in the “Type of Resource” section to see the full list!
If you are interested in reading any of the books listed in pflag Canada’s recommended reading list or in our Resource Finder tool, here is some information to help you to access the books:
Using our Recommended Book lists:
The recommended books listings you find on our website are really just that: lists you can bring to your local library or bookstore, to seek out any recommend books.
If you wish to borrow these books from your local library, digital formats (either e-books or audio-books), can also be borrowed from your local library using Libby.
What is Libby?
Libby is a free service that allows you to borrow eBooksand digital audiobooks from your local public library.
- It is NOT for physical books. Libby is exclusively for digital books you read or listen to.
- It does require you to have a valid library card with a PIN from your local public library.
- You can access Libby through the mobile app OR in your web browser.
- You can read/listen to any borrowed digital books using your smartphone, tablet or PC, or through dedicated reading devices like a Kindle, Kobo, or other e-readers.
How to Use Libby:
Once you have a valid library card number and know its associated PIN or password (your local library can provide both) it’s easy to borrow and read any available books using Libby!
Step 1: Access Libby and Log In
You can access Libby either on a computer/browser or by using the dedicated mobile app:
- On a Web Browser:go to https://libbyapp.com on any computer (PC, Mac, Chromebook) or mobile device, or:
- On the Mobile App: Download the free “Libby, by OverDrive”app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Once you have Libby open on your device:
- Tap “Yes” when asked if you have a card.
- Search for and select your local library by name, city, or postal code.
- Tap “Sign In with My Card.” Enter your full Library Card Number and your PIN/Password, and Tap Sign In.
Step 2: Find and Borrow any titles from our lists:
Now you can use our lists as a reference to search for and borrow books in the Libby app.
- In Libby, tap the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom.
- Type in the exact title of the book you want.
- When the search results appear, look next to the title:
- “Borrow”: means the book is available! Tap Borrow and confirm the loan period (usually 7, 14, or 21 days).
- “Place Hold”: means copies are currently checked out. Tap Place Hold to join the waiting list. Libby will notify you when it’s ready.
Happy Reading!!
Once borrowed, the book will be added to your Shelf (book stack icon). Tap the cover to open it and start reading or listening.
If you have a preferred device for reading/listening, instead of reading with the Libby app, you can also set up Libby to connect books to your Kindle, Kobo or other e-readers to enjoy books that you borrowed through Libby.
Events and Dates:
We publish an events calendar and key 2SLGBTQIA+ dates (After Hours sessions, Awareness Weeks, Pride events, Trans Awareness Month, etc.). Check the Events & Key Dates page for upcoming sessions and community events.
Currently, our peer-to-peer support groups are run virtually. We use Google meets which is an accessible platform. We co-lead and attend events in the community, however, since these are not our events, we can not guarantee accessibility. You can contact the organization running any community event. If you have access needs and wish to connect, contact us here.
Get Involved: Donate, Volunteer, Contact Us:
Thank you for asking! You can make a tax-deductible donation through pflag Canada by selecting the Donate button at the top of our Home Page. You will receive a tax receipt from pflag Canada, Charitable Registration Number: 864483276RR0001.
To volunteer with pflag Peel Region, check our Volunteering Opportunities page for roles (events, outreach, facilitation, admin).
