Queer Youth Kawartha Lakes

Queer Youth

Our Queer Youth Program has ended for the school year, we will resume in October 2025. Please check back here in the Fall for more information!

Dates:  Every Thursday 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location:  Warehouse Youth Centre

Ages:  Grades 7-12

Cost:  $ Free

What is Queer Youth?

The Queer Youth Kawartha Lakes program is made up of a group of youth grades 7-12 who identify with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies. The group is governed by four pillars:

Safety

Youth have a safe space to meet, where they can openly share their thoughts, opinions, fears and struggles. Youth do not feel forced to identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ if they don’t feel ready or comfortable.

Belonging & Acceptance

Youth have a place where they fit in and feel accepted for exactly who they are and how they identify.

Leadership

2SLGBTQIA+ volunteers and allies lead the group. The youth participants share leadership responsibilities and collaborate with their leaders to plan and facilitate each group session. Participants are provided with opportunities to grow as leaders within the group through facilitation, workshops, and guest speakers.

Advocacy & Awareness

Participants work together to plan and implement strategies of advocacy and awareness within the City of Kawartha Lakes. Youth facilitate activities, events and develop projects to inform their schools and local community about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the marginalization they face daily.

Queer Youth Special Events

Pride in the Park @ Victoria Park (190 Kent St W. Lindsay, ON)
July 12th – 11am-3pm

Stay tuned for more events!

How do I Register?

New youth can sign up upon arriving to The Warehouse Youth Centre for the first time. After they have completed the initial sign-up process there is no requirement to register for Queer Youth as it is a drop-in program.

Who do I Contact?

For more information & assistance with program registration contact our office team at (705) 324-4493 and press 0 or email info@bgckawarthas.com.

Resources & Support

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
CMHA provides a variety of services and programs that support the mental health and well-being of gender-diverse and sexual-minority youth in Ontario

CMHA Trans Peer Outreach
The Trans Peer Outreach program offers no cost supports and services for transgender and gender diverse people, to assist them to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of community-based, client centered care that supports positive interdependence.

Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN)
PARN is a community based agency providing support and health promotion for people HIV-infected and HIV-affected. PARN provides education for people at risk for HIV and awareness of HIV issues to the broader community

Kawartha Lakes Pride
Kawartha Lakes Pride is a local organization that plans and hosts a variety of events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies

 

For further information please contact : Interim Youth Services Coordinator, Melissa Carroll 705-324-4493 ext 231