For more information or to access any of our general services, you may contact us or make an appointment here.
We are happy to connect our members, service users and community with everything we can regarding topics such as: harm reduction (i.e. safer sex and safer drug use), gender identities, medical and legal transition, sexuality and sexually transmitted infections, sex work, childcare, sexual assault, and more.
Please note that the Centre for Gender Advocacy is not a frontline organization or shelter, but works within an ecosystem of organizations dedicated to assisting our service population as a service organization. While we are always happy to provide resources and referrals for a large number of issues related to our mandate, we may not always have direct programming available at the Centre for all of these specific issues at any given time.
All of the harm reduction materials at the Centre are offered on a free, no-questions-asked, low-barrier basis. The following is a selection of current materials available at the Centre: tampons and pads, diverse safer sex supplies, nasal and injectable naloxone kits, needles, syringes and sniffers for safer injectable and inhalant drug use, supplies related to hormone replacement therapy.
Starting in March 2023, the Centre will be a Pick-Up Partner Site with the REACH Nexus program I’m Ready, a first-of-its-kind national research program that is sharing 50,000 free INSTI HIV Self Test kits. The program also offers participants the choice to connect, either with optional trained peer navigation support, or on their own, to potential care pathways using the program’s online resources. I’m Ready collects anonymized data from participants through surveys delivered by the program’s I’m Ready, Test mobile app, which participants also use to order their HIV self-test kit(s).
Not seeing what you’re looking for? Contact us — we may have what you’re looking for, and, if not, are likely able to have it ordered for you, free of cost.
Gender affirming gear is available at the Centre on a pay-what-you-can basis, with no one turned away for a lack of funds. The following is a selection of current gear available at the Centre: binders of varying sizes, lengths, and colours; gaffs. Coming soon from Adam Philomena, our Community Engagement Coordinator: trans tape, breast forms, packers, and more.
Not seeing what you’re looking for? Contact us — we may have what you’re looking for, and, if not, are likely able to have it ordered for you, free of cost.
Peer Support and Advocacy (PSA)
Our peer support drop-ins are closed for the summer. PSA volunteer applications are now open — apply here!
Our peer support drop-ins are a flagship service for the Centre. This volunteer-run service offers our community the opportunity to access one-on-one, confidential peer support every Monday and Wednesday, in-person & online, from 3-5 pm. Operating on the philosophies of harm reduction, non-judgment, empowerment, and non-directionality, PSA volunteers are there to provide a space to be heard without judgment or interruption. They can also provide help with navigating resources and provide referrals.
Note: we do not offer counselling or practitioner advice! Instead, our volunteers are trained to validate experiences and emotions through a thorough active listening process.
Peer support groups
Our peer support groups are closed for the summer.
In Fall 2022, the Centre — via Barbara Saldana, our previous Peer Support Coordinator — began offering three different support groups in addition to the one-on-one drop-ins: Trans & Non-Binary Support Group, Qurious (for those who are looking to explore their identity), and Stitch N Bitch Gatherings (to hang and do some crafts).
If you participated in any of these groups, we invite you to provide any feedback here for any future iterations.
Mental health and wellness programming
Organized by the Peer Support Coordinator, and facilitated by talented local organizers, the Centre has a consistent offering of mental health and wellness programming.
Most recently this year we offered a QTBIPOC Yoga & Meditation series and a Queer Embodiment Experience. Both were a great success across 6 weeks and we hope to offer similar programs in the future.
All Concordia name changes are processed through the Birks team. To discuss, get in touch with them by phone (514-848-2424, ext. 2668) or by email (name.change@concordia.ca).
Students at Concordia can request to have their name of common usage replace their legal name on student I.D., letters from the Registrar, student lists, student records, etc. Upon request, the gender marker will also be removed — thus avoiding gendered greetings. A legal name change is not required for this change at Concordia.
If or when your name is legally changed, you may contact the Birks team again to have your newly-legal name reflected on official documentation. They can also help you start the process to change your MEES permanent code. You’ll have to present a Certificate of Change of Sex Designation and/or of Name in order to proceed with this change.
The Birks team can also help you understand, as a current student or alumnus, how to go about requesting university documents (letters, transcripts, student ID cards) that reflect your name change.
Click here to view Concordia’s webpage on preferred name changes.
For any additional assistance with Concordia student name changes, reach out to info@genderadvocacy.org.
Our name and gender marker change service is now OPEN by appointment only.
To make an appointment with our Commissionner of Oaths, you can follow this link.
We can provide guidance, forms, and a Commissioner for Oaths service on-the-spot, on a pay-what-you-can basis. On the appointment booking form is a list of all that will be necessary to bring with you to successfully change your name and gender marker with us. Once your application is complete, we can provide printing and mailing services as well, if needed. This process takes about an hour to complete.
The Missing Justice program is another long-time program of the Centre’s. Previously run by Indigenous activist and artist Dayna Danger, this program has been taken over by Mischa Shadloo in her position as Programming Coordinator. Along with this change, Mischa and the Centre have endeavoured to take more of a support role in its Missing Justice organizing to allow Indigenous voices and desires to remain at the forefront of this campaign. Please feel free to contact her with questions or ideas for projects at any time.
Read more about the direction Mischa has been taking with Indigenous-led organizing with the Centre’s Elder in Residence program in Winter 2022 on our Projects page.
MMIWG2S Vigils
In collaboration with community organizations with an Indigenous focus, such as Iskweu and the Native Friendship Centre, the Centre supports in the organization of two annual vigils to honor, remember, and raise awareness for the ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2Spirit people (MMIWG2S) crisis on February 14th and October 4th, centring the families and communities most directly affected by the MMIWG2S crisis.