Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Survivors at Ernestine’s

Everyone deserves safety, love, and respect.

At Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, Pride Month is more than a celebration — it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to safety, inclusion, and healing for all survivors of violence, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Understanding the Realities for 2SLGBTQI+ Survivors

In Canada, LGBTQ2+ individuals — especially trans and non-binary people — face disproportionate rates of gender-based violence:

• 2SLGBTQI+ people are three times more likely to experience violent victimization than their non-2SLGBTQI+ counterparts.

• Transgender individuals are significantly more likely to face discrimination, harassment, and physical assault, both in public and private spaces.

• 2SLGBTQI+ youth make up an estimated 25–40% of homeless youth in Canada, often as a result of family rejection or abuse.

(Statistics from sources Statistics Canada and Egale Canada)

These realities reflect the urgency for intersectional, survivor-centered services that affirm identities and foster safety.

How Ernestine’s Supports 2SLGBTQI+ Survivors

At Ernestine’s, we know that not all survivors experience violence the same way. Systemic oppression — including transphobia, racism, ableism, and homophobia — shapes how violence is experienced and how safe someone feels seeking support. That’s why we work intentionally to create inclusive, identity-affirming spaces for everyone who turns to us.

Here’s how:

• Safe, Gender-Inclusive Services: Our programs and supports are open to all women, gender-diverse individuals, and their children — including trans women, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people.

• Culturally Responsive Programs: We acknowledge and address the specific barriers that 2SLGBTQI+ survivors — especially those who are racialized, Indigenous, or newcomers — face when accessing support.

• Staff Training and Accountability: We provide ongoing training for our staff in anti-oppression, trauma-informed care, and 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, so survivors feel seen, heard, and respected from the moment they walk through our doors.

• Youth and Family Supports: Our Child & Youth team ensures that young people exploring or expressing diverse identities are supported with empathy and without judgment.

Pride is About Action

Pride is rooted in resistance — a fight for the rights, dignity, and safety of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. At Ernestine’s, we honour that legacy by continuing to advocate for equity and access, not just in June, but every day.

We also recognize that creating safer spaces is ongoing work. We’re listening, learning, and evolving to meet the needs of our community.

If You Need Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence and needs a safe place to turn, please know that you are not alone.

📞 Ernestine’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 416-746-3701
💻 Visit us at: www.ernestines.ca

Additional LGBTQ2+ Resources in Canada:

• Egale Canada – Resources, support, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQI+ people
  Website: www.egale.ca

• LGBT YouthLine – Peer support for youth aged 29 and under
  Call/Text: 1-800-268-9688 | www.youthline.ca

• Trans Lifeline (Canada/US) – Peer support hotline run by and for trans people
  Phone: 1-877-330-6366 | www.translifeline.org

• The 519 (Toronto) – Supportive programs for the 2SLGBTQI+ community
  Website: www.the519.org

This Pride Month, let’s continue building a world where all survivors feel safe, valued, and supported — because safety is a right, not a privilege.

🌈 #PrideMonth #SafeForAll #LGBTQ2Support #EndGenderBasedViolence