2S/LGBTQQIA+ Wellness

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​Introduction • Who is 2S/LGBTQQIA+ • Gender-Affirming Product Coverage • Hotlines • Programs and Organizations • Online Resources • Further Learning​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Introduction​

The FNHA recognizes that in many First Nations, 2S/LGBTQQIA+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual) people have traditionally held important and respected roles in our communities. However, the impacts of colonialism have created a disconnection between 2S/LGBTQQIA+ people and these traditional identities and roles, as well as the erasure of recognition for these identities through the introduction of homophobia, transphobia and sexism.

The FNHA is committed to working in partnership with First Nations people in BC, including those who identify as 2S/LGBTQQIA+, to ensure access to inclusive, culturally safe and wholistic health and wellness services. You can learn more about our commitment and related initiatives in the stories and information below.

Who is 2S/LGBTQQI​A+?

2S/LGBTQQIA+ is an umbrella term that is inclusive of people who identify as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual, as well as other diverse genders and sexualities that do not align with the Western binaries.

What is “Two-Spirit"?

"Two-Spirit" is an Indigenous-specific term that is used to self-identify with expressions of gender or sexuality through a pre-colonial lens. Two-Spirit identities exist separately from Western constructs of sexuality and gender, and are not equivalent to an LGBTQQIA+ identity. However, an Indigenous person may self-identify as both Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+.

The term “Two-Spirit" was first proposed by Elder Myra Laramee during the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference in 1990. It was offered as an alternative to the colonial term used to describe First Nations people of diverse gender and sexual expressions, berdache.

According to the Two-Spirit Dry Lab, "Two-Spirit is meant to facilitate Indigenous Peoples' connections with Nation-specific expressions and roles of gender and sexual diversity. It is a way for Indigenous Peoples to reconnect with their traditional languages, ways and cultures within a pre-Colonial setting."

What Does the “/" in “2S/LGBTQQIA+" Mean?

We have chosen to include a “/" in the acronym 2S/LGBTQQIA+ to distinguish Two-Spirit identities from Western and LGBTQQIA+ identities, which may not reflect the cultural, historical and spiritual dimensions. Moreover, there has been limited engagement of 2S individuals in research, leading to an inaccurate conflation of their experiences with those of the broader LGBTQQIA+ community. The choice of this version of the acronym aligns with usage by the Two-Spirit Dry Lab and the Community-Based Research Centre.

Gender-Affirming Product C​​overage­­

Coverage to access Gender-Affirming Products is provided through a partnership between the FNHA and Pacific Blue Cross (PBC). The following products are covered for Status First Nations people in BC through the Medical Supplies & Equipment benefit:

  • Bra inserts (pair)
  • Brassiere- for bra inserts
  • Lower body garment – gaff
  • Packer phallus
  • Packer – securement
  • Packer – with Stand to Pee (STP) device
  • Stand to Pee device
  • Upper Body Garment – binder
  • Vaginal dilator – kit
  • Vaginal dilator – single

To access these items, you will need a prescription from a medical doctor, nurse practitioner or psychologist. If your provider is registered with PBC, your provider may be able to submit a claim to PBC directly, or you can submit your receipts for reimbursement.

You can learn more about how to access coverage for Gender Affirming Products on the Medical Supplies & Equipment Benefit page.

Resourc​​​es

Note: Not all of the resources listed below are specific to serving Two-Spirit and/or Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ people. Many items on this list were compiled through recommendations from a Two-Spirit advisory committee, and it may not be exhaustive. ​

  • Hotlines

Considering Suicide: 1-800-SUICIDE

Mental Health Support: 310-6789

Fraser Health Crisis Line: 604-951-8855

Bullying Hotline: 1-877-352-4497

VictimLinkBC: 1-800-563-0808

24-hour Rape Crisis Line: 604-872-8212

Senior Abuse: 1-866-437-1940

Alcohol and Drug: 604-660-9382

Housing Shelter & Street Help Line: 211

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366

Trevor Project: 1-866-844-7386

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688

Poison Control: 604-682-5050

Children Helpline: 310-1234

Healthlink: 811/ 711 for hearing impaired

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Post-Secondary Crisis Line: 1-866-925-5454

Watari: 604-254-6995

KUU-US Crisis Line Society:

  • Indigenous Elders and adults: 250-723-4050
  • Indigenous youth: 250-723-2040​


​Programs and Organ​izations

  • ​Vancouver Coastal

  • Interior

  • Fraser Salish

  • North

  • Vancouver Island

  • British Columbia

2 Spirits of BC

The 2 Spirits of BC website is provided by the Four Feathers Society. The society organizes events for the 2 Spirit people living in British Columbia that improve their wellness. They host a Two Spirit Talking Circle (Tuesdays at 7:00pm).

CampOUT

UBC CampOUT! is a leadership and learning summer camp for queer, trans, Two-Spirit, questioning, and allied youth from across BC & the Yukon. CampOUT! Brings us together to learn from each other about decolonizing; anti-racist and disability justice approaches to education and leadership; and from mentors in community. Typically, the camp is held at Chá7elkwnech, Camp Fircom on Gambier Island, Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territory. Year round we operate at The University of British Columbia – Vancouver Campus on the shared territories of  xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Watuth), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations.

Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) Two-Spirit Program

Working collaboratively and meaningfully with Indigenous partners, leaders, and Elders, the Community-Based Research Centre is supporting the development of Two-Spirit-led programs and initiatives that enhance the health and wellbeing of Canada's Two-Spirit and Indigenous queer and trans communities. Alongside its Coast Salish Partners, this programming includes culturally safe and relevant data collection and research, as well as Two-Spirit and Indigenous-led knowledge exchange and resource development.

CBRC Medicine Bu​ndle: This Medicine Bundle contains an HIV self-test kit, Indigenous medicines (sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, cedar, lavender, Labrador tea, bear grease and Devil's club salve), sexual health supplies, and additional resources. The purpose of this bundle is to bring the sacredness back into sex and give you access to a holistic approach to your sexual health needs.

Options for Sexual Health

Options offers LGBTQQIA+ inclusive sexual health care in over 60 clinics across the province. Services include birth control counselling, contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing and more.

QCHAT

QCHAT is an LGBTQIA2S+ peer support association made up of peer volunteers across British Columbia, and our organization exists to provide peer support and referral services to youth residing within the province. They offer a peer support line via online chat, text message, and over the phone. They also can refer you to LGBTQIA2S+ resources all over the province.

QMUNITY Trans ID Clinic

Qmunity's Trans ID Clinic provides assistance to people with low-income in the process of changing their identification's name or gender marker. Services are provided by volunteer peer navigators and lawyers.

Trans Care BC (Provincial Health Services Authority)

Trans Care BC helps you connect to gender-affirming health and wellness supports as close to home as possible. They offer resources and services for gender affirming procedures, such as hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery, social transitioning (ID and name change, changing speech, etc), and peer support.

Trans Rights BC

This project aims to disseminate human rights information that is accurate, accessible, and relevant to the safety and well-being of trans and gender-diverse individuals and their supportive allies across British Columbia. They offer information about trans and gender diverse rights, such as explicit protection, public spaces and services, education, housing, employment and more.

  • Canada/International

2SLGBTQ+ Council

A dedicated Assembly of First Nations council that represents and supports Two-Spirit First Nations.

2Spirits

2 Spirited People of the 1st Nations (2 Spirits) is a non-profit social service organization whose membership consists of Aboriginal 2-Spirit (people that carried male and female spirits) gay, lesbian, intersexed, bisexual, and transgender people in Toronto. Due to the AIDS epidemic, the organization was prompted to have health, counseling and advocacy expertise.

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations provide prevention education and support for 2-Spirit, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit people living with or at risk for HIV and related co-infections in the Greater Toronto Area. They base their work on Indigenous philosophies of wholistic health and wellness.

2 Spirits in Modern Society

2 Spirits in Motion will create, maintain, and strengthen a safe and supportive social environment for 2 Spirit people to feel and be loved, succeed, and become empowered to make their own decisions and to find and express their purpose in life. They host projects, events and resources to uplift 2S/LGBTQQIA+ communities and voices.​

Dancing to Eagle Spirit Society

The purpose of the society is to advance Native American healing and spiritual principles for aboriginal and non-aboriginal people who self-identify as two spirit persons. The society seeks to honor the dignity of the individual, building personal and community self-esteem by providing emotional support and spiritual needs using traditional Native American ways and culture.

Edmonton 2 Spirit Society

E2S is an intergenerational organization that serves 2 Spirit and Indigenous queer and trans people, their family members, and community members, to help establish opportunities for 2 Spirits to hold community shaping power. They offer resources, programs, and events for 2S/LGBTQQIA+ people.

Gvncs Two-Spirit

Gvncs Two-Spirit is a Facebook page that shares resources, articles, events for the 2S/LGBTQQIA+ community in BC.

Native Out

Native Out is a Facebook page that shares resources, articles, events for the 2S/LGBTQQIA+ community.

Native Youth Sexual Health Network

The Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN) is an organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice throughout the United States and Canada. Some of their areas of work include HIV/AIDS awareness, culturally safe sex education, #landback advocacy, Midwifery and Birth Justice, as well as Two-Spirit/Gender and Sexuality Education.

Two-Spirit Michif Local

The Two-Spirit Michif Local is a Manitoba Métis Federation local in the Winnipeg region that serves Métis citizens who identify as two-spirit (2S), lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and/or non-binary.

Two Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.

2Spirit Manitoba is an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of 2Spirit (Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ People). They host various projects and resources that aim to create safe spaces for the Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer community, capacity building for organizations and communities, and 2S/LGBTQQIA+ education and awareness.

Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance

The Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance is a group of volunteers, researchers, academics, knowledge holders, youth and Elder Wabanaki Two-Spirits and Allies who strive to provide equitable and safe environments for Two Spirits and Indigenous LGBTQ+ to live and thrive spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally within Wabanaki territory.

Online Resources

  • British Columbia

  • Canada

  • International

Further Learning​

  • Books

  • Articles

  • Videos

  • Podcasts

  • Resources for Researchers and Service Providers in BC

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Sexual Wellness
​Sexually Transmitted and Blood -Borne Infections

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

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