2SLGBTQIA+

Counselling for 2SLGBTQIA+

2SLGBTQIA+ make up one of the most diverse communities in Canada. This community brings together people of different sexual orientations and gender identities. 2SLGBTQIA+ show us what it means to live with courage and pride every single day. 

But more often than not, people of this community are subjected to prejudice and discrimination. This can seriously impact their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

Types of Discrimination Faced By 2SLGBTQIA+

Discrimination is unequal treatment based on some form of prejudice. While prejudices are internally held beliefs, discrimination involves acts and behaviors that put those beliefs into practice. Discrimination can be done on individual and institutional levels.

Here are some ways in which 2SLGBTQIA+ face discrimination:

Housing

Forms of housing discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ include denying them access to affordable housing, renting, and anything that makes it possible for them to access housing as easily as cis-gendered people.

Employment

This includes discrimination in hiring practices, pay, workplace treatment, and job security. It may also involve other forms of subtle or apparent harassment by colleagues.

Education

Students who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ may face discrimination by their peers as well as faculty. This could happen in the form of 2SLGBTQIA+ students being policed more harshly for their gender expression, being graded more harshly, and being excluded by peers in group-work opportunities.

Harassment

2SLGBTQIA+ may experience physical, verbal, and psychological harassment. This could include derogatory name-calling, physical or sexual assault, ridicule, public humiliation, and anything that could severely impact their ability to safely express themselves in the external world.

Impact of Discrimination on 2SLGBTQIA+

Being subjected to discrimination can severely impact the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Exposure to prolonged discrimination might show up in the following ways:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Poor self-esteem 

• Constant fear

• Trauma 

• Loneliness 

• Estrangement 

• Social exclusion 

• Self-isolation

• Substance abuse

• Suicidal ideation 

While some 2SLGBTQIA+ may find healthy and safe ways to cope with the impact of discrimination, not everyone can recover easily.

Being a victim of discrimination can severely impact 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals’ social and occupational functioning, relationships, and sense of self. 

This is when it’s important to ask for help.

We Can Help

Located at 206 Ontario Street Stratford, we are local to Tavistock, New Hamburg, and the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Our clinicians also offer remote therapy across Ontario so that you can access the support you need - no matter where you are!

To get started you can fill out a contact form, call (226) 215-4244, or book an appointment online with one of our counsellors by clicking below.

We’re looking forward to supporting you!