Student Resources & Support Services 2SLGBTQQIA+
snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara strives for a sense of inclusion and belonging for all our community members. In this regard, it's important to note that sex, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation are all protected grounds not only under Langara's Human Right's Policy (B3008) and Langara's Respectful Workplace Policy (D1007), but also under the BC Human Right's Code.
IDAHOBIT – At the Heart of Democracy
snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College is committed to the promotion of human rights and proudly stands in solidarity with 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities around the world on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). This date marks the 1990 World Health Organization’s milestone decision to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases, an accomplishment won by tireless civil rights activism. The day’s theme for 2026, “At the heart of democracy” resonates deeply with snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara’s values and EDI Framework, which echoes the theme’s reminder that truly democratic societies and their institutions must be rich in meaningful equity and justice for all to foster the flourishing of the entire community.
Creating a Culture of Belonging
At snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College, every individual inherently deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. As a post-secondary educational institution, we are dedicated to fostering a campus environment where all members of our community feel safe, supported, and empowered to be their authentic selves. This commitment is reinforced by the College’s Human Rights Policy, which upholds principles of equity, inclusion, and protection from discrimination based on gender and sexual identity and expression alongside other aspects of identity.
Action on Campus
We continue to actively challenge discrimination within our campus communities and beyond. At snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara, education extends beyond the classroom, it is a vehicle for social change. Rather than accepting the status quo, we are committed to amplifying and uplifting equity-deserving individuals and groups within 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. Their voices and leadership guide meaningful progress across our teaching, research, and community engagement efforts.
While there is still important work ahead to dismantle systemic barriers and address ongoing prejudice, we are making tangible progress. Recent initiatives include:
· Pronouns 101 Workshop
• Positive Space Training (access through PebblePad)
Together, let us honor, uplift, and celebrate the richness of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and work towards a future where all individuals can thrive and love, free from fear and discrimination.
Resources
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is aware the following resources are not exhaustive and welcomes input from the community. If you have suggestions for articles, podcasts, webinars, events, etc., we invite you to reach out to our office at edioffice [at] langara.ca (edioffice[at]langara[dot]ca).
*You may notice multiple ways of referring to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community in the resources and events below. These can include "LGBT", "LGBTQ+" or "LGBTQIA2S+" for example, and reflect what terminology has been chosen in those external resources.
Learn
- Geo Neptune explores the history of the term "Two-Spirit" and who it pertains to. Does it mean two genders? Can anyone use it to describe themselves?
Breaking down the LGBTQIA2S+ acronym
- Time for another episode of Get Smarter with Blair Imani. This segment answers a question from a Smartie named Kennedy: "Why are there so many letters in the LGBTQIA2S+ acronym?" Let's break it down and Get Smarter in the process. #GetSmarterWithBlairImani
Langara Library LGBTQ+ Reading List
- This reading list recommends titles in Langara's library collection that address the LGBTQ+ community, representation, and equity.
- Get a crash course on the who, what, when, why, where, and how of pronoun use with a voiceover PPT recording from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and People and Culture.
- Inclusive language is complex and evolving. This resource booklet gives you a thorough breakdown of Queer terminology from A-Q!
Glossary of Terms: Transgender (GLAAD.org)
- A resource on terminology used for trans and non-binary people with many helpful examples and even terms to avoid.
Bakau Consulting Strategies for LGTBQIA2S+ Inclusion (pg. 14)
- Resources for reading, listening, watching and actioning.
8 Ways to Support the Black LGBTQ+ Community for Pride Month
- Information on how to step up to support queer Black movements and organizations.
LGBTQ+ Rights by Country (World Population Review) or LGBTQ+ Rights by County or Territory (Wikipedia)
- Many LGBTQ+ people around the world face inequality, discrimination, and in some cases, violence. Rights and protections for those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community vary greatly by country or jurisdiction. These links provide an overview of the history of and the current layout of LGBTQ+ rights around the world.
- Explore the progress of LGBTQ+ rights across the world.
- IN Magazine is a national magazine celebrating Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities that is committed to providing opportunities, amplifying voices, featuring current events, culture, op-eds and news, and supporting not-for-profit community organizations and service providers with a mandate or mission to serve diverse LGBTQ2+ communities across Canada through our community partners program.
Listen and watch
SOGI UBC: Gender & Sexual Diversity Inclusion for Educators
- Listen to other educators in this short video on the importance of preparing inclusive educational professionals for the benefit of students and the world.
SOGI UBC: Gender & Sexual Diversity Inclusion for Faculty
- This video explores what it means to develop inclusive excellence in post-secondary settings.
- Tune into the recording of this powerful webinar, Growing up with Pride: A story about love, strength, determination, and resilience with now former employee and alumni Maggie Stewart. Much appreciation to Maggie for being so open to sharing with us her deeply personal experience.
Stonewall Forever - A Documentary about the Past, Present and Future of Pride
- Stonewall Forever is a documentary from NYC’s LGBT Community Center directed by Ro Haber. The film brings together voices from over 50 years of the LGBTQ rights movement to explore queer activism before, during and after the Stonewall Riots.
19 podcasts to listen to during Pride and all year
- Mashable explores the modern LGBTQ world with this list of podcasts – from the people who make up the community to the spaces where they congregate, both online and off.
The ABCs and 123s of LGBTQ2+ Inclusion
- In this recorded discussion, Michael Bach, author of the upcoming Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work (http://alphabetsoup.lgbt), and guests Farrell Hall (Chief Inclusion Officer, 9 Story Media), Lenore MacAdam (Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Corus Entertainment), DS "Shep" Sheppard (Senior Manager, Equity Diversity & Inclusion at Equitable Bank/EQ Bank), and Steve Yan (Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, BDC) chat about LGBTQ2+ inclusion, and what it means to LGBTQ2+ people who share their stories.
Widening the Lens on Gender with Vivek Shraya
- This video features Vivek Shraya, a visual artist, musician, and writer whose work over many years has explored and challenged ideas about gender. Her latest book, "I'm Afraid of Men," has captured the attention of a wider audience and sparked conversations about identity and masculinity, and what it will take to see one another without the lens of cultural norms. Tune into this segment with Nam Kiwanuka who talks to Shraya about her life, her art, and her journey to self-understanding.
Trans 101: Gender Diversity Crash Course
- This video playlist from Ygender presents topics like The Basics, Being an Ally, and more!
- Tuck Woodstock in The Gender Reveal podcast explores the vast diversity of trans experiences through interviews with a wide array of trans, nonbinary and Two-Spirit people.
- TransLash tells trans stories to save trans lives. This biweekly podcast was launched in 2020 and shares trans-affirming content and community offerings.
Courses and Trainings
This free online course and resource is free for all employees and students. It engages learners in an ongoing journey of growth, reflection, and connection, by gaining valuable insights into what community and a positive space really means at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College. See the video for an introduction from our President and CEO, Dr. Paula Burns and to learn more about course contents and goals
- After completing the training, learners have the opportunity to obtain an “I Heart Community” or “Positive Space” sticker from the EDI Office (Building A - 171a) as a symbol of their commitment to inclusivity and support of 2SLGBTQIA+ individual(s) and communities
- To access the course, please login into Pebblepad using your Langara IT credentials. You'll find the Positive Space Training under the Resources Store from the Landing Page.
- Educational opportunities for learning about gender diversity and creating gender-affirming environments.
Supports
Trans Care BC Education Centre
- Resources include foundational knowledge, how to provide gender-inclusive services, how to support gender diverse Indigenous and Two-Spirit people, and how to support children, youth, and their families.
- Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. Run by and for trans people.
Catherine White Homan Wellness Centre
- Provides low-barrier wellness and legal services to Two-Sprit, transgender and gender non-conforming people in a way that is respectful and celebratory of clients’ identity and self-expression. Offers free services to people who need them, regardless of factors like citizenship or health insurance.
- A Two-Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse safe space providing a low barrier food share in East Vancouver twice a month and a community kitchen, in addition to other programs.
- QMUNITY is what happens when queer, trans, and Two-Spirit folks looking for a sense of community come together to meet, guide, and support each other.
- Egale is Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues, aiming to improve and save lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. Find resources, research and more on this page.
Pathways Vancouver LGBTQ+ Community Resources
- Community service programs, information handouts, videos, and websites.
- Check our Langara's Health Services website for more information on 2SLGBTQIA+ resources
- I Belong is a program welcoming all LGBTQIA2+ refugees and newcomers, providing a safe space to connect and receive personalized support.
DIVERSEcity: LGBTQ+ Newcomer Services
- DIVERSEcity is here to support LGBTQ+ newcomers on their settlement journey with free one-on-one support services or peer group support.
- A peer support line and resource database for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in British Columbia, Canada.
- This web application seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. Users can search for restrooms by proximity to a search location, add new restroom listings, as well as comment and rate existing listings. Trans led, Refuge seeks to create a community focused not only on finding existing safe restroom access, but also advocating for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people’s safety.
The Trevor Project: Navigating LGBTQ+ Identities and Religion
- This site provides resources for people from the LGBTQ+ community who are navigating their often complicated relationship with religion.
Building Bridges: 2SLGBTQI+ & Affirming Faith Workbooks
- These Affirming Faith Workbooks offer foundational concepts, guiding principles, and promising practices to support anyone seeking to create more inclusive programming and services. It aims to provide readers with foundational knowledge on Canada’s major faith groups, considerations for supporting 2SLGBTQI people of faith, and strategies for creating respectful and tolerant workplaces and community spaces.
- YWCA Believe is a free employment program for self-identified LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse newcomers and refugees.
