Rainbow Health Ontario

09/29/2025

Alberta is preparing to use the notwithstanding clause to ban gender-affirming care for youth. This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens health care for all Canadians.

Here’s how you can take action:

✅ Share accurate information to help counter misinformation
✅ Amplify advocacy voices like Egale Canada and Skipping Stone and the Canadian Medical Association
✅ Contact your MPP or MP
✅ Join our upcoming Trans Health Mentorship Call happening on Oct. 1

Read more: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/2025/09/why-albertas-use-of-the-notwithstanding-clause-on-trans-health-is-an-ontario-issue/

Rainbow Health Ontario is committed to building a health care system where 2SLGBTQ+ people can access affirming and equitable care. This commitment is why recent developments in Alberta demand the…

09/25/2025

Make your practice more inclusive, starting with your intake forms. Get our free guide to creating 2SLGBTQ+ affirming electronic health records (EHRs).🌈

Your EHRs are often the first point of contact for clients. Are they sending a welcoming signal to 2SLGBTQ+ communities?

Our practical guide provides essential strategies to help your clinic or organization create more inclusive and affirming EHRs. This is a key step in building accessible, welcoming clinical settings where all clients feel seen and encouraged to participate in their own care.

Visit our Resource Library to download "Practical Strategies for More 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusive Electronic Health Records" for FREE.

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/resource-library/practical-tips-to-make-your-electronic-health-records-more-inclusive-of-2slgbtq-people/

09/24/2025

09/23/2025

09/23/2025

Today, September 23, marks International Bisexual Visibility Day, a day that has been celebrated since 1999 to champion the inclusion and visibility of bi+ people.

Bi-erasure and biphobia, experienced both outside and within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, are linked to significantly poorer mental health outcomes for bisexual individuals.

How can you help? Visit our website for health resources and check out learning opportunities like our 2SLGBTQ+ Foundations and Removing the Barriers courses to discover how you and your organization can become more bi-inclusive.

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/

09/18/2025

Dive deeper into 2SLGBTQ+ health! 🎧 Follow the 2SLGBTQ+ Health in Focus podcast from Rainbow Health Ontario.

We speak with experts and innovators to explore what’s working, what needs to change, and how to move forward in 2SLGBTQ+ health care. Subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode on topics like cancer screening, IPV, and more.

Search "2SLGBTQ+ Health in Focus" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/podcast/

09/16/2025

Every patient deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported during their perinatal journey. For 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, this often means facing unique challenges and barriers in healthcare settings.

Our NEW course is designed for physicians, nurses, midwives, and all perinatal care providers. It equips you with the tools to provide inclusive and equitable care through an intersectional, trauma-informed lens.

You will learn to:
✔️ Address the unique sexual and reproductive health needs of 2SLGBTQ+ people
✔️ Understand the impact of minority stress and bi/homo/transphobia on health outcomes
✔️ Recognize and address your own implicit biases to prevent harm
✔️ Implement practical strategies to create affirming, equitable healthcare experiences

Ready to build your competency and provide better care?

Course: 2SLGBTQ+ Perinatal Care
Date: November 7
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: $50

For details and to register, visit: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/events/2slgbtq-perinatal-care/

09/15/2025

TW: Mentions of violence and sexual violence

The data reveals an overlooked issue: IPV disproportionately impacts 2SLGBTQ+ communities, yet support systems often fail to address their specific needs.

Swipe through to understand:
➡️ The unique barriers 2SLGBTQ+ people face
➡️ Why existing support often falls short
➡️ How to be a better ally and provider

Want to go deeper? Download our free education resource, Health in Focus: Intimate Partner Violence in 2SLGBTQ+ Communities, available in our Resource Library.

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/resource-library/health-in-focus-intimate-partner-violence-in-2slgbtq-communities/

Knowledge is the first step toward change. Share this to help spread awareness.

09/11/2025

Trauma-informed care is essential, but it's not one-size-fits-all. For 2SLGBTQ+ communities, trauma is often rooted in systemic discrimination, stigma, and lived experiences of homo/bi/transphobia.

This introductory online course from Rainbow Health Ontario equips health and social service providers with the foundational skills to blend trauma-informed principles with 2SLGBTQ+ cultural competency. Learn to support healing while actively preventing re-traumatization in your practice.

In this 3-hour session, you will learn to:
✔️ Apply trauma-informed principles to support 2SLGBTQ+ clients
✔️ Prevent re-traumatization through culturally competent care
✔️ Examine your own capacity for supporting client healing
✔️ Address structural barriers, power dynamics, and ongoing discrimination

Ready to enhance your service delivery?

Course: 2SLGBTQ+ Trauma-Informed Care
Date: October 22
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: $20

For details and to register, visit: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/events/2slgbtq-trauma-informed-care/

09/10/2025

On this we're sharing a vital resource about 2SLGBTQ+ mental health.

The statistics are stark: One-third of 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians report poor mental health, with 2 in 5 diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. 40% of trans individuals have attempted su***de and 82% have experienced suicidal ideation (compared to 4% of the general population).

This resource, created by and , amplifies the voices of community members, highlights gaps in our mental health care system, and outlines action areas to close those gaps.

Download "Closing the Gap on 2SLGBTQ+ Care: Actions for Healthcare Organizations and System Leaders" from our Resource Library.

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/resource-library/closing-the-gap-on-2slgbtq-care-actions-for-healthcare-organizations-and-system-leaders/

09/09/2025

Research is clear: 2SLGBTQ+ communities face significantly higher rates of mood disorders, anxiety, and suicidality due to stigma and discrimination. As providers, we must understand these disparities to offer affirming care.

This introductory online course is designed for health and social service providers who want to build their cultural humility and develop practical skills to better support their 2SLGBTQ+ clients.

In this session you will learn to:
✔️ Recognize the impact of homo/bi/transphobia on mental health
✔️ Apply an intersectional, trauma-informed framework
✔️ Address key concerns like coming out, SOGIECE, IPV, and relationships
✔️ Deliver positive, competent mental health care

Ready to provide better, more inclusive support?

Course: 2SLGBTQ+ Emotional and Mental Health
Date: October 16
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $20

For details and to register, visit: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/events/2slgbtq-emotional-and-mental-health/

08/29/2025

In this excerpt from episode five of 2SLGBTQ+ Health in Focus, Dr. Aisha Lofters discusses innovative approaches to delivering health care beyond traditional clinical settings. She examines how services like cancer screening could follow the community-based model successfully used for COVID-19 vaccinations and highlights how moving health services into community spaces can create safer, more inclusive care environments.

2SLGBTQ+ Health In Focus is a podcast from Rainbow Health Ontario where we talk to experts in the field and share knowledge about 2SLGBTQ+ health and health care systems.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or any major podcast platform.

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/podcast/