2SLGBTQQIA+ Community and social services

The Alberta Settlement and Integration Program supports services and initiatives that inform newcomers about living and working in Alberta, help them access settlement resources and opportunities, and foster a welcoming environment in communities, workplaces and service organizations. Non-profit organizations dealing with the intersectionality of race and sexual orientation and gender identity may apply. Applicants are encouraged to specify how they will address intersectionality.

Aging with Pride is an educational resource to help seniors-serving organizations increase awareness of 2SLGBTQQIA+ senior’s issues.

The Family Resource Networks provide supports and services across the province that help families become resilient, strong and healthy. Agencies within the FRN program deliver prevention and early intervention services and supports for children and youth aged 0 to 18 and their families. FRN agencies provide inclusive and culturally responsive services to all children, youth and families in Alberta, including 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. Recognizing 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth and families may experience unique barriers to accessing services, there are some programs that are specifically designed to support this community.

An FRN can connect you to a variety of local resources, supports and programs. Information on how to access Family Resource Network services in your community can be found at the FRN search map.

The Sexual Gender Diversity (SGD) training is a virtually facilitated module that provides resources and builds on knowledge and skills in the following areas: personal bias and beliefs, accepting and affirming people’s identities, understanding safety concerns and risk factors for 2SLGBTQQIA+ young people, creating safe environments, privacy and confidentiality requirements and community awareness.

This training is available on the Caregiver Learning Management System (referred to as PRIDE) for caregivers. Access can be provided upon request through [email protected].

All agencies that receive funding through the family violence prevention grants serve 2SLGBTQQIA+ clients. The Family Violence Prevention Program funds one program that is primarily focused on the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. The Rainbow Ready Program offered through Sagesse is a capacity-building program that aims to provide organizations, service providers and agencies the knowledge and skills to provide safe, culturally relevant and inclusive services and supports to 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals impacted by domestic abuse.

The CIP Project-Based Grant Stream provides funding of ongoing core operations for non-profit organizations that address social issues. More than $200,000 has been channelled towards 2SLGBTQQIA+ initiatives over the last two years, including substantial grants to the Edmonton Pridefest Association, Grande Prairie Pride Society, Pride Calgary Planning Committee and the Downstage Performance Society.

To apply for a CIP Project-Based Grant for your community or organization, visit: CIP Project-Based grant | Alberta.ca

The Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards recognize exceptional Albertans who are working to create communities that are diverse and inclusive, including those who are advocating for 2SLGBTQQIA+ inclusion. 

The YSP Grant Program targets several priority youth populations at increased risk of suicide that includes:

• 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth
• Indigenous youth
• youth experiencing homelessness
• youth in government care or transitioning out of care
• youth with mental health and addiction challenges
• recent immigrant and refugee youth.

The Community Partnerships Youth Grant provides funding to agencies who provide mentorship for at-risk youth and youth receiving government services. Child and youth mentoring is when a caring individual provides a young person with support, advice, friendship, positive reinforcement and constructive role modelling over time. 

For 2024-25, two of the 10 recipients focused specifically on providing mentoring supports for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth in their own communities.

Alberta’s Anti-Racism Grant Program is intended to support community organizations in Alberta to implement initiatives that combat discrimination and address systemic racism by providing funding for projects that increase public education and enable Albertans to recognize and value cultural differences and heritage. 

Non-profit organizations dealing with the intersectionality of race and sexual orientation and gender identity may apply.

The ASIP Grant is available to community organizations serving people who are at risk of hate or bias-motivated incidents and crime to access funding for security assessments, security infrastructure improvements, training and more.

Through the Victims of Crime and Public Safety Fund, Alberta’s government provides vital support to victims of crime, including 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. Many victim-serving organizations offer trauma-informed care, advocacy and specialized resources. These services ensure individuals from the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community receive non-judgmental, inclusive assistance, addressing their unique experiences with discrimination, hate crimes and violence.

The protected ground of sexual orientation was added to the Alberta Human Rights Act in 2009, and the protected grounds of gender identity and gender expression were added in 2015. 

Through their community engagement work, the Alberta Human Rights Commission regularly consults and engages with a variety of 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to better understand ongoing issues impacting these communities and to inform their work.

The Commission has training and resources that provide tools on various human rights topics to help Albertans understand their human rights and responsibilities.

A person residing in Alberta may apply to have their name legally changed, under certain conditions.

According to sex indicator amendment on an Alberta birth record, individuals may have the option to amend their sex indicator to M, F or X, allowing them to update their gender marker.

Transgender and non-binary individuals may also change their sex marker on their Alberta identification card and/or driver’s licence. A person residing in Alberta may change their sex marker on their Alberta identification card and/or driver's licence M, F or X.