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Creating Safe and Affirming Home Sharing for 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and accepted in their home, especially at home. For people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more), home sharing environments must be not only safe, but affirming spaces where people are supported for who they are.
What Does “Affirming” Mean?
An affirming environment is one that:
- Respects people’s identities, including their gender and sexual orientation.
- Uses inclusive language.
- Takes action to stop discrimination.
- Celebrates diversity every day, not just during Pride Month.
Why This Matters in Home Sharing
In a home sharing setting, people often live closely together. This means that daily routines, conversations, and shared spaces have a big impact. For someone who is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, even small acts, like being called by the right name or using the right pronouns, can make a huge difference.
Example:
Alex, a trans man with a developmental disability, moved in with a new home sharing provider in Burnaby. On the first day, the provider asked Alex what name and pronouns he preferred and made sure everyone in the house used them. Alex said, “This is the first time I’ve felt truly seen in a home.” That provider also had a rainbow sticker on the fridge and attended a local LGBTQ2S+ event with Alex later that summer.
How to Create a Safe and Affirming Environment
1. Use Respectful Language
- Ask about and use correct pronouns and names.
- Avoid assumptions about someone’s identity or relationships.
2. Make the Home Visibly Inclusive
- Display symbols of support, like Pride flags or stickers.
- Include books or posters that reflect diverse identities.
3. Speak Up Against Discrimination
- If someone says something hurtful, respond respectfully but firmly.
- Model inclusive language and kindness.
4. Build Trust
- Let the person you support know they can talk to you.
- Respect privacy. Being “out” is personal and should always be the person’s choice.
Resources by Region
To help create safe and affirming environments across British Columbia, here are some regional resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies:
South Fraser:
- Pflag Surrey: Offers monthly support meetings for families, friends, and allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the Fraser Valley.
- Sher Vancouver: A registered charity supporting LGBTQ+ South Asians and their allies through peer support, anti-bullying programs, and cultural events.
- Fraser Valley Youth Society (FVYS): Provides programs and support for LGBTQ2S+ and allied youth in the Fraser Valley.
Southern Interior:
- Kamloops Pride: Offers a directory of resources for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Kamloops and surrounding areas.
- Interior Crisis Line Network (ICLN): Provides 24/7 crisis line services throughout the Southern Interior.
- Living Out Visibly & Engaged (LOVE): Offers support, education, and resources to the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Okanagan.
North & Thompson Cariboo:
- Pathways BC – Thompson Region: Provides support, education, and resources to the LGBTQ+ community, promoting inclusion and well-being.
- Interior Crisis Line Network (ICLN): 24/7 crisis line services for the region.
Vancouver Coastal West:
- Prism Services – Vancouver Coastal Health: Provides education, information, and referrals for LGBT2Q+ communities, including training for healthcare and social service providers.
- City of Vancouver – 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Resources: Supports local 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives and services.
Vancouver Coastal East:
- QMUNITY – BC’s Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Centre: Offers information, referrals, diversity training, counselling, and social support groups.
- Out on the Shelves: A volunteer-run LGBTQ2IA+ library providing access to queer literature and resources.
- Spartacus Books: A non-profit, volunteer-run bookstore and resource centre offering LGBTQ literature and community materials.
Vancouver Island:
- Island Sexual Health Society: Offers sexual health clinics and education programs, including gender-affirming care.
- QCHAT: Provides peer support services to LGBTQ2S youth residing in British Columbia, offering confidential support through various channels.
- Vancouver Island Queer Resource Collective: A collective aiming to help queer individuals find resources and support on and around Vancouver Island.
- LOVE LGBTQ2s Vancouver Island Community Response Network: Supports the needs of 2SLGBTQI+ people living on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, promoting inclusive and affirming organizations.