Nanaimo District (Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Lantzville, Cedar, Extension, South Wellington, East Wellington, Gabriola Island, Mudge Island, Nanoose Bay, Errington, Coombs, Dashwood, Qualicum Bay, Bowser, Deep Bay)
AVI Health & Community Services
Website: https://avi.org/location/nanaimo/
Email: health.centre@avi.org
Office Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-5pm
Phone: (250) 754-9111
Address: AVI Health Centre, 102-55 Victoria Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5N9
Description: HIV primary care, PrEP prescribing and follow-up, HIV self-test kit access site, PEP access support, STBBI testing and treatment, opiate agonist treatment, HCV treatment, case management, health promotion and education, safer sex and drug use harm reduction supplies, peer support and peer led programming.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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Brechin United Church
Website: http://www.brechinunited.ca
Email: brechinuc@shaw.ca
Hours: Mon - Fri, 9:30 am - noon, 1- 3 pm
Phone: (250) 754-9212
Address: Brechin House, 2020 Estevan Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9S 0C9
Description: We are proud to be an Affirming Congregation. We welcome and include the full participation of all people in the life and work of the Ministry as we journey together, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, beliefs, cultural backgrounds, or economic circumstance. We helped found the Reaching Out social group to support Nanaimo’s LGBTQ2+ community.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo
Website: http://ufon.ca/
Email: Welcoming@ufon.ca
Office hours: Tue & Thu 9am-1pm
Phone: (250) 755-1215
Address: 595 Townsite Road, Suite 1, Nanaimo, BC, V9S 1K9
Contact: Rupert & Kathryn
Description: Our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources enable us to balance reason and belief, intellect and intuition. We share a commitment to spiritual and ethical values. Whatever your ethnicity, religious background, gender, sexual orientation, age or anything else that makes you who you are, please know that you are warmly welcome in our community.
(Updated Nov 2024)​
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Gender Journeys
Website: https://www.nflabc.org/programs/gender-journeys/
Email: gender_journeys@nflabc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genderjourneysnfla/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genderjourneysnfla/
Cell: 778-268-3002
Sign-up: https://forms.office.com/r/wbRX12kcpY
Address: Central Nanaimo. Address shared upon sign-up.
Description: Gender Journeys is a peer support group for 2-spirit, trans, gender diverse and questioning adults over the age of 18. We aim to offer a warm, safe space for people across the gender continuum to come together, form social connections and discuss any issues that are relevant to the members. We hold both social evenings (arts & crafts, movie nights, clothing swaps) and more in-depth discussions focusing on topics such as gender identity and expression, intersectionality, legal rights and human rights law, accessing gender-affirming care and more. Meeting address and details shared upon completion of the sign-up form above.
(Updated Nov 2024)​
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Nanaimo Poly 101
Facebook: Private https://www.facebook.com/groups/NanaimoPoly101/
Email: osirisscales@gmail.com
Description: A bi-monthly polyamory discussion and peer support group. The goal is to build poly community and understanding, not hookups. Discussions are free / by-donation, covering a wide range of topics, with participant contribution and frequent workshops or guest speakers. LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming of all identifications, orientations, backgrounds. Curious people welcome. To join private group contact above email.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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Nanaimo Pride Society
Website: nanaimopride.ca
Email: hello@nanaimopride.ca
Contact: www.nanaimopride.ca/reach-out
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pridenanaimo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanaimopride/?hl=en
Description: Empowering, celebrating, promoting and creating inclusivity, acceptance, and respect among persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities through advocacy, education, cultural activities and events in Nanaimo and surrounding communities.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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PFLAG Canada Nanaimo
Website: http://pflagcanada.ca/
Email: nanaimobc@pflagcanada.ca
Hours: Meet 3rd Sun of the month 2-4pm
Phone: 1-888-530-6777 ext 566
Contact: Cheryl
Description: pflag Nanaimo offers peer support to members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and the family, friends, and caregivers at our monthly meetups. We also try to connect people to other local resources that may benefit them.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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Prime Timers Nanaimo
Website: primetimersnanaimo.org
Email: primetimersnanaimo@gmail.com
Address: P.O. Box 278, Ladysmith BC, V9G 1A2
Description: PrimeTimers® Nanaimo is A Chapter of PrimeTimers® Worldwide. Ours is a social group for those who self-identify and present themself as mature gay or bisexual male(s) and their male admirer(s); who subscribe to socialization and fellowship in a safe respectful environment. Membership is open to men who are 19 years of age or better.
Our chapter is centered in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and we have members up and down the east coast of Vancouver Island from Duncan to Campbell River, as well as other nearby islands.
Our mission is to be a social and outreach organization for mature/senior gay, bi, trans, and other queer men in Nanaimo BC. While supporting other LGBTQ2S+ groups in our area by fostering comradery between our membership and the broader queer community.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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Rainbow Abilities
Time: The first Monday of each month from 6 – 8 pm
Location: #2 1601 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, across from 7/11
Email: lifestyles@bonaventuresupport.com or neil_gaudet@nanaimosl.ca
Description: An LGBTQ2S+ group for adults aged 19 and up who self-identify as neurodivergent and/or having a diverse ability. Group Activities, socializing, community connections, snacks & More!
(Updated Nov 2024)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/281242817452470
Description: Know what’s better than a good book? Talking about it with friends! The Rainbow Book Club is a fun way for us to share queer stories, promote 2SLGBTQIA+ writers and hopefully give the queer community a fun and social reason to stay interested in reading. Meetings are held in person on the first Thursday of the month.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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​Reaching 'Out'
Website: http://www.brechinunited.ca/ministries/reaching-out--2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/286699152639376
Email: bucreachout@gmail.com
Phone: (250) 754-9212
Hours: 7 PM on first Wed evening of the month
Location: During COVID we have been meeting via ZOOM. The link for each meeting is posted on our 'Reaching Out Nanaimo' Facebook page. We will continue to do so until the new church building is completed, which we expect to be in early 2022.
Contact: Tim Weger
Description: Offers supportive space to connect, meet new people, build community, socialize, have fun, and join in discussions on topics of interest (including guest speakers and films). The group welcomes newcomers and reaches out to other LGBTQ people in the Nanaimo area. Family members, friends and allies (supporters) are also very welcome.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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Reaching Out Assisting Refugees (ROAR)
Website: https://www.ROARrefugees.com/
Email: ROARrefugees@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ROARrefugees/
Twitter: https://x.com/roarrefugees
Description: Reaching Out Assisting Refugees (ROAR) is an organization in Nanaimo which resettles LGBT+ refugees from around the world who face serious persecution. Resettled LGBT+ refugees can make a new beginning and experience freedom. ROAR develops and supports sponsorship groups and raises funds for refugee sponsorship.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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St. Paul Anglican Church
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsnanaimo/
Website: https://www.stpaulsnanaimo.ca/
Email: admin@stpaulsnanaimo.ca
Office Hours: 9:30 - 12:00 M-F
Phone: (250) 753-2523
Address: 100 Chapel Street Nanaimo V9R 5H2
Description: We proclaim Christ's love and welcome all as we serve God and God's creation. Located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, we embrace many opportunities to share the love of God with those who come through our doors. This is your church, a place of hospitality, refuge and hope. We look forward to welcoming you. Please join us!
(Updated Nov 2024)
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Vancouver Island University: Positive Space Alliance
Website: https://adm.viu.ca/positive-space
Email: positivespace@viu.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViuPositiveSpaceAlliance
Description: Find committee meetings posted at https://adm.viu.ca/positive-space/participation Takes an affirmative, positive approach to creating a campus that is free of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is also aimed at encouraging a widespread and visible commitment to welcoming sexual and gender diversity on campus, and at making talk of diversity more open and less unusual.
(Updated Nov 2024)
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