Rainbow Health Ontario

The Hamilton Council of Aging are inviting Hamiltonians aged 50+ in the 2SLGBTQ+ community to a conversation to help inform their next 5-year Age-Friendly & Dementia-Inclusive Community Plan.

Monday, June 29, 2026
1-2:30pm
Putman Family YWCA - 52 Ottawa Street North

RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw-2yuqQheb3iHcqpdSUmjJcirlwWuYp3pHhA3DgGoLHIR2Q/viewform?usp=header

Chronic pain is disproportionately common in 2SLGBTQ+ communities, according to the PTP Pink Paper 2026. Q***r and Two-Spirit respondents reported rates more than five times higher than their non-2SLGBTQ+ peers. A stark difference that underscores a critical, overlooked health disparity.

Read more: https://www.pinktrianglepress.com/advocacy/ptp-pink-paper/

According to a recent Statistics Canada report, fewer Canadians agreed that individuals should be free to express their gender however they choose in 2025 compared to 2018.

This new data reinforces the urgency of our work.

Support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities, particularly trans and non-binary individuals, is declining, and allyship is more important now than ever.

This Pride Season, as you engage with your clients, teams and communities, we invite you to carry forward the work of dismantling barriers and fostering affirming, equitable care.

Read our newsletter: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/2026/06/pride-calls-us-back-to-action/

Read the Statistics Canada report: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2026001/article/00009-eng.htm

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the rich history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

This month, we’ll be sharing more about the barriers faced by Two Spirit and Indigiqueer community members, and amplifying Indigenous organizations in our stories. Together, let’s keep learning and building relationships grounded in truth and reconciliation.

We kicked off June with a training at Ontario Health in Toronto. Our clinical educators delivered the 2SLGBTQ+ Foundations course in person — and the room showed up ready! Insightful questions, rich discussions, and a shared commitment to deepening the learning.

Thanks for having us, Ontario Health!

Ready to move from awareness to action this Pride season? Our June and early July calendar is packed with instructor-led courses designed to strengthen your 2SLGBTQ+ clinical and cultural competence.

Spots are filling up. Grab yours now: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/education/training/

June kicks off Pride season, but our work doesn’t stop when the month ends. We’re working to remove barriers to health care for 2SLGBTQ+ communities all year long. Build your clinical and cultural competence this June and July through our instructor-led trainings.

To register, visit: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/education/training/

Wishing you a safe, joyful Pride. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We're kicking off Pride Month with exciting news! The call for proposals is NOW OPEN for the RHO 2027 Conference.

Join us May 19–20, 2027, at the Crowne Plaza North York in Toronto. Guided by the theme Equity in Action, the program will deliver innovative, practical sessions designed to improve health outcomes for 2SLGBTQ+ clients.

We welcome proposals on practice, research and policy, especially those centring equity-deserving groups within 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A broad range of subjects is welcome.

Submit your proposal by August 14, 2026. We cannot wait to read your ideas.

🔗 https://www.rhoconference.ca/proposals

Rainbow Health Ontario

Join us on June 11 from 1–4 p.m. for Trans 101: Adults & Older Adults. This online, instructor-led course for healthcare and social service providers builds cultural humility and competence for those with little or no experience working with trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming adults and older adults.

Register at: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/events/trans-101-adults-older-adults/

Healthcare should be a safe space for everyone, but the reality is far from it. According to the 2026 PTP Pink Paper, up to 77% of Two Spirit respondents have experienced discrimination in healthcare settings. Many have had to hide their identity, explain their existence, or lie about who they are just to avoid being dismissed, misgendered, or denied care.

Read more: https://www.pinktrianglepress.com/advocacy/ptp-pink-paper/