01/02/2026
"chosen family"
(noun) The community you intentionally build with people who see you, support you, and allow you to show up as your full self—family formed through trust, not assigned by birth.
The holidays can be complex for many!
For those navigating family conflict, distance, loss, or estrangement, chosen family can offer connection, safety, and a place to belong.
The holidays can be especially complex for folks in the 2SLGBTQ+ community —bringing moments of connection alongside pressure, uncertainty, or the need to self-protect.
Chosen family—those who see you fully and love you without conditions—can be a vital source of safety and belonging during this time.
Friends, partners, mentors, online communities, or other folks you can relate to can create a space where you feel fully seen and accepted. A place where:
1. Your identity is celebrated, not questioned.
2. Conversations feel easy, not stressful.
3. You can breathe, laugh, and simply be yourself.
4. Traditions reflect you, not who others expect you to be.
To the Families:
When you support your child’s chosen family, you’re not stepping aside—you’re helping them build more connection.
For many families navigating identity, conflict, distance, or loss, this support can strengthen trust and emotional closeness.
O.W.L. Counselling & Wellness
Call, Text, or Email:
705-477-4069 | info@owlcounsellingservices.ca
North Bay, Huntsville, and surrounding areas.
Virtual across Ontario.
