2SLGBTQIA+ Resources
At Saint Mary's we strive for a living and learning environment that is safe, inclusive and respectful. We aim to develop opportunities and supports for students as they move through journeys of self-discovery. For members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we have compiled a list of supports and resources, both within SMU and the broader Halifax community.
The RainBEAU Committee, within Residence Life, focuses on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in residence while celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In the past, they have organized events such as the Pride Picnic, Tea Time, Virtual Pride Art Gala and Pride Health Workshops.
The Committee is not active during the summer months. Recruitment of executive student staff positions along with regular members begins at the start of the fall term. New members are also welcome to join anytime throughout the academic year!
The SMU Pride Society will be ratifying again for the academic year, and they are dedicated to creating a safe space for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies. This society encourages important conversations and peer support regarding queer topics such as sexual health, transitions, religion, race, gender expression and more. For more information you can email the Pride Society at SmuPrideSociety@gmail.ca
The Health Clinic is located on the fourth (4th) floor of the O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre. The dedicated team offers family practice services to Canadian and International Saint Mary's students and alumni up to one year after graduation.
The clinic offers 2SLGBTQIA+ health services including hormone therapy, assistance in obtaining letters of readiness for gender-reaffirming surgery and prescribing the appropriate medication following an assessment. The clinic also offers STI testing, sexual health education, birth control and education, and pregnancy testing.
The SMUSA Pride Centre, located on the fifth (5th) floor of the O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre, offers a safe space for all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If you are looking for somewhere to hangout or study, check out the Pride Centre!
The SMUSA Women's Centre, located on the fifth (5th) floor of the O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre, is a positive safe space to study, do homework or just hang out. It is a feminist-centred space that welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. The centre supplies free menstrual products and condoms across campus, and they have partnered with community organizations such as Avalon, Venus Envy and South House.
The SMU Sexual Violence Support Centre (SVSC), located on the fourth floor of the O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre (Room 409), offers resources and supports to students, staff and faculty who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence. They provide supportive counselling, coordination of accommodations, referrals to campus and community supports and information about reporting (as well as assistance through the reporting process if the person chooses to report). They also provide educational opportunities and preventative training for members of the SMU community. The Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative (SVPI) is a student-led program that takes an intersectional, primary prevention approach to education that addresses the root forms of oppression and marginalization (including racism, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny and ableism).
The SVSC operates from trauma-informed, survivor-centric and holistic frameworks that recognize the individual, systemic and cultural impacts of sexual and gender-based violence and works to support the individuals in culturally responsive ways. The SVSC welcomes students, staff and faculty from all communities to access support.
Visit The Studio's webpage, Changing Your Name at SMU, for guidance on how to change your name in the university's systems such as Brightspace, Banner, Student ID, email and Office 365.
Nova Scotia Youth Project
The Nova Scotia Youth Project's mission is to make Nova Scotia a safer, healthier and happier place for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth by offering support, education, resource expansion and community development.
Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project
The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project (NSRAP) seeks equity, justice and human rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Nova Scotia. NSRAP seeks to create change in our communities and our society at large so that all 2SLGBTQIA+ people feel included, valued and celebrated. They plan to achieve this through community building, developing strong networks outside of the community, public outreach, education and political action.
Halifax Community Fridge
The Halifax Community Fridge is an anonymous queer-operated group providing free food in Kjipuktuk. The Community Fridge is located outside of the Glitter Bean Cafe.
AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia
The AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia strives to create an environment in which people living with and effected by HIV/AIDS feel empowered and supported. Their aim is to end stigma and discrimination, and reduce new cases of HIV.
PrideHealth
PrideHealth works to improve access to health services which are safe, coordinated, comprehensive and culturally appropriate for the pride community.
Nova Scotia's Gender-Affirming Care Policy
Nova Scotia's Gender-Affirming Care Policy officially came into effect on July 28th, 2023, and aims to ensure that high quality, timely and safe services are provided to transgender and gender-diverse Nova Scotians. Changes to this policy include simplifying processes and removing barriers to make gender-affirming healthcare more accessible.
South House
The South House is Halifax's only full-time gender justice centre. They are a volunteer driven, student funded, gender inclusive safe space for all members of the community.
Halifax Pride
The Halifax Pride Festival is an annual 11-day gathering in the Halifax Regional Municipality for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It features over 150 community and Pride organized events celebrating the history, culture, activism and perseverance of the queer community.
The Halifax Pride Society organizes a number of large and small scale events, and actively engages with various queer groups and individuals throughout the year to support them in the planning of their own events and activities.
Visit the Halifax Pride Festival Events page for more details!
Housing/Resource Groups
Local Facebook groups can be helpful for finding rental accommodations, business recommendations, buy-and-sell, events, meet-ups and more: