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: http://avi.org/our-services/nanaimo
Email: info@avi.org
Office Hours: Mon-Thu 9 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: (250) 754-9111
Infoline: 1-800-665-2437
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, counselling, HCV treatment, case management, health promotion and education, safer sex and drug use harm reduction supplies, peer support and peer led programming.
(Updated August 2021)
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. Meetings are the first Wednesday evening each month currently on-line by Zoom. Call for information.
(Updated Jan 2023)
Cornucopia Nanaimo
Website: http://www.cornucopiananaimo.ca/
Email: osirisscales@gmail.com
Hours: Munches are usually held on the 2nd Mon of the month. Months that have 5 Saturdays, we hold the Extra Special 5th Sat munch.
Address: All at Carlos O'Bryan's at Neighborhood Pub at 7PM. located at 1724 Stewart Ave, Nanaimo
Description: Cornucopia prides itself in providing places for people interested in BDSM to meet others of like mind in settings that are comfortable and safe in Central Vancouver Island. Cornucopia is a pansexual fetish group that promotes safe, sane and consensual BDSM play and provides support/educational resources for people interested, in the Nanaimo and Central/North Vancouver Island. Cornucopia organizes and presents play parties, workshops and regular social events on a regular basis. Most of all we have fun!
(Updated August 2021)
First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo
Website: http://ufon.ca/
Email: Info@ufon.ca
Office hours: Tue & Thu 9am-1pm
Phone: (250) 755-1215
Address: 595 Townsite Road, Suite 1, Nanaimo, BC, V9S 1K9
Contact: Lise Smith
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 August 2021)
Gender Journeys
Website: https://www.nflabc.org/programs/gender-journeys/
Email: gender_journeys@nflabc.org For group work gender_journeys@nflabc.org For outreach worker s_cameron@nflabc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gender-Journeys-429695424488130
Phone: For group work (250) 754-3331 ext. 710. For outreach worker (250) 754-3331 ext. 425.
Address: Please contact the email above for details such as time and location.
Description: Gender Journeys is a peer support group for transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming or gender questioning adults that meets each and every Monday 6:30-8 via Zoom video conferencing during the pandemic. We aim to offer a warm, safe space for people across the gender continuum to come together and discuss any and all issues that are relevant to the members. Members can share their current struggles and successes, offer information, and gain and provide support in a warm, encouraging environment. Gender Journeys also has an outreach support worker, who provides confidential, one-on-one support, referral, and resources when needed.
Updated Sep 2021
Generation Q Youth Program
Website: https://www.bgccvi.com/genqvirtual/
Email: generationq@bgccvi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenerationQPUBLIC/
Phone: 250-754-3215
Address: South Side Teen Centre, 2290 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 3K7
Description: Our mission is to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive space that allows youth to connect, and openly express their concerns regarding issues impacting their lives and the LGBTQQIP2SAA community. For youth aged 13-18. Youth aged 18-24 are encouraged to participate as youth mentors and volunteers.
(Updated August 2021)
Nanaimo Poly 101
Email: osirisscales@gmail.com
Description: Meetings postponed due to COVID. A monthly polyamory discussion and peer support group: includes a secret group on Facebook with about 500 members; and monthly facilitated in-person discussions, held since 2011. 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 August 2021)
Nanaimo Pride Society
Website: nanaimopride.ca
Email: hello@nanaimopride.ca
Address: PO Box 1187, Stn A, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6E7
Contact: www.nanaimopride.ca/reach-out
Description: Empowering, celebrating, and promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and respect among persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities through advocacy, educational and cultural events, and activities in Nanaimo and surrounding communities.
(Updated August 2021)
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: Nora Funk
Description: Offers peer-to-peer support striving to help all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Support, educate and provide resources to anyone with questions or concerns. Offer local, practical, and emotional peer-to-peer family support for individuals and their loved ones challenged by gender/sexual identity.
(Updated August 2021)
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 Aug 2023)
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 August 2021)
Reaching Out Assisting Refugees (ROAR)
Website: https://www.ROARrefugees.com/
Email: ROARrefugees@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ROARrefugees/
Description: Reaching Out Assisting Refugees (ROAR) is a community group based in Nanaimo which resettles LGBT refugees from around the world who face serious persecution. LGBT refugees resettled to Vancouver Island can make a new beginning and experience freedom.ROAR raises funds for refugee sponsorship, and it develops sponsorship groups.
(Updated August 2021)
Vancouver Island University: Positive Space Alliance
Website: https://adm.viu.ca/positive-space
Email: positivespace@viu.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViuPositiveSpaceAlliance
Description: Seeks to raise awareness of diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity and to challenge the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize these communities. It is a public proclamation of support and affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning (LGBTQ2S+) members of our community, making the campus a more welcoming place for all.
(Updated September 2021)
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