Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and businesses

Starting and running a business is no small feat, especially when you’re navigating the added challenges and opportunities of being a 2SLGBTQ+ tech founder. Fortunately, numerous resources are dedicated to empowering 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, offering everything from financial assistance and mentorship programs to networking opportunities and advocacy.

That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide packed with support, opportunities, and tools just for you.

2SLGBTQ+ Corporate Workshops:

Egale (Canada)

Egale is a national organization that educates and advocates for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and also provides inclusivity training for organizations and schools. Education includes Workplace Inclusion for Gender and Sexual Diversity.

The 519 (Toronto)

The 519 provides a range of services from counselling and queer parenting resources to coming out groups, trans programming, and senior’s support. They also provide free, accommodating and non-judgmental space where individuals, organizations and non-profit groups can meet, organize and work towards their goals.

Workshops Offered:

• Corporate, Non-Profit, Charity Workshops
• Staff Workshops
• Student Workshops
• Parent Workshops
• Summer Camp Workshops
• Panels

Start Proud

Start Proud facilitates the professional development of 2SLGBTQ+ students as they transition from school to career through a national network within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Through virtual mentorship programming, annual events and flagship conferences, and sponsored activities; students and professionals can get access to an exclusive community of likeminded individuals.

Lesbians Who Tech & Allies

LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary leaders are rarely centered and their voices are often missing from leadership. Lesbians Who Tech helps build pathways, provide learning experiences, curate access to targeted talent pipelines and design brand activations for mid-senior women, women of color, and nonbinary leaders, across all industries to encourage economic power and access to jobs and leadership roles.

Pride at Work Canada

Founded in 2008, Pride at Work Canada empowers Canadian employers to build workplaces that are inclusive to employees of all gender expressions, gender identities, and sexual orientations. They coordinate events, workshops, and resources that can help employers create more inclusive environments. They also host 2SLGBTQ+ Women’s Networking Breakfasts across the country.

Workplace Audit

Pride at Work Canada’s Workplace Audit is a uniquely Canadian tool designed to help organizations track their diversity and inclusion efforts in a comprehensive fashion with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

2SLGBTQ+ Hotline & Support:

TransLifeline

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

LGBT Youthline (Ontario)

A peer support service offered through telephone, texting, and live chat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth up to age 29. All volunteers are trained peer supporters ages 16-29 with a diversity of gender identities and lived experiences.

For more information, visit youthline.ca

Rainbow Health Ontario

Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) is a province-wide program of Sherbourne Health that works to promote the health of Ontario’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities and improve their access to services. RHO creates resources, provides information and consultation services, delivers education and training, and supports research to develop evidence-based practice and informed public policy.

2SLGBTQ+ Peer Networks:

CGLCC

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) has been building links between 2SLGBTQ+ businesses in Canada and the wider business community since 2003. It helps gender-diverse entrepreneurs thrive by offering opportunities for access, engagement, visibility, and specialized support. It is also the certifying body for LGBT+ businesses in Canada. Every year, the CGLCC hosts a LGBT+ Business Summit that brings together business owners, corporate leaders, young entrepreneurs, government and academia to connect, and develop and share knowledge.

QueerTech

QueerTech is an online community that aims to help gender-diverse people get jobs in technology or launch tech ventures. They host events and workshops for their community to network and share their learnings, including PrideHacks, an annual hackathon bringing 2SLGBTQ+ people together from Montreal’s tech ecosystem.

LOUD Business

LOUD Business brings the 2SLGBTQ+ business community together to be stronger and louder. Additionally, the LOUD Foundation invests in future leaders of the Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ community by supporting the development of students who possess drive, vision, compassion and knowledge to improve society and increase awareness of this diverse community.

myGwork

myGwork is the largest global business community of LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and anyone who believes in workplace equality. It empowers the LGBTQ+ community by offering individual members a safe space where they can connect with inclusive employers, find jobs, mentors, professional events, e-learning/training, news and much more.