Centre for Sexuality - Healthcare Programs

• ENHANCING SUPPORTS FOR 2SLGBTQIA+ YOUTH - Did you know that we have a specific counselor that works with LGBTQ+ youth and their families? We know that for youth who are coming out as gender or sexually diverse, the most important factor for feeling safe and accepted is family support or natural supporters. Natural support is someone who is unpaid and who loves and supports the youth for who they are. It is well known that sexual and gender minority youth across Canada are at high risk of experiencing homelessness, one of the main reasons for that is fear of, or actual family rejection of the youth's gender and/or sexual identity. For more info

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• RAPID HIV & STI TESTING - In partnership with Alberta Health Services’ Safeworks, we are happy to offer rapid HIV and STI testing for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) at the Centre for Sexuality. While this service is targeted at gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men, it is trans-inclusive and will see trans women as well. In addition to standard STI testing, the clinics also offer rapid HIV tests, so guys can know their status in less than a minute. Guys can also get vaccinations for things like Hepatitis A & B, and the HPVvaccine for guys 26 and under. Best of all, our services are all free! For more info and how to book.

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• TOTALLY OUTRIGHT - is a free leadership program for young gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, and queer (GBT2Q) guys who are into guys between 18-30 years of age. You’ll learn about tools you can use to take care of your own sexual health, as well as strategies to help share the knowledge with your friends and community. Finally, you’ll get to work with other guys to plan an exciting new campaign or event using all the skills and information gained in the program. For more info

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• PIVOT - is a new program for GBTQ2S+ (gay, bi, trans, queer, two-spirit) guys focused on community health advocacy. Pivot is an opportunity to connect with your community and discuss many of the important topics to guys today. It recognizes that there are unique health challenges faced by this community and that these require innovative and community-based responses to help address them. The program is also an opportunity to build practical skills in areas such and digital advocacy, media relations, and policy advocacy.

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• GIRL'S PROGRAM - is a year-long, school-based, evidence-informed program dedicated to addressing many of the complex issues facing young girls today. With a focus on age-appropriate education around puberty and bodies, media literacy, self-esteem, self-confidence promotion, healthy relationships, and understanding gender stereotypes, we aim to equip girls with knowledge and tools before their relationships, self-esteem, and development are negatively impacted. For more info

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• SENIORS A GO-GO - In 2008, The Centre for Sexuality (called the Calgary Sexual Health Centre at that time) began a project to reach seniors and begin conversations about sexuality with them. Seniors a GOGO was born, through it developed a series of monologues about the experience of sexuality after 60, as well as a brochure about sexuality and aging. The monologues, titled Viva Vintage Monologues: Making It Up As We Go Along, were performed in June of 2009. In year two of the project, the actors from Seniors Action Group continued the development of new stories with the Foundation Lab’s Mariette Sluyter. After a successful year of performances, the group had their finale at the Fairy Tales Film Festival, opening for the film “Gen Silent”. For more info

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• PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICES - Centre for Sexuality offers free, short-term counseling services to help people address challenges related to sexuality and sexual health. Our counseling supports take a holistic and client-centered approach, meaning we recognize individuals as experts on their own lives and agents of their own change. In all sessions, we focus on helping clients build effective tools to better understand themselves and to achieve their own self-identified goals. We do not offer advice or tell clients what to do.

Counselling topics include (but are not limited to):

• Gender identity and sexual orientation
• Coming out
• Family acceptance of sexual orientation or gender identity
• Medical/social transitioning
• All options pregnancy counselling
• Decision making and communication
• Relationships and consent
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (addressing stigma; support after diagnosis, etc.)

For information and how to book

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• WORKSHOPS & SUPPORTS FOR FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES - We offer individual sexual health education sessions for folks with developmental disabilities and their supports. These short sessions are intended to enhance a client’s understanding of sexual health topics, normalize healthy sexuality, and support clients with making informed decisions about their own sexual health. Our team of educators can provide information on topics such as birth control options, sexually transmitted infections, anatomy, decision making and communication, and media literacy. For more info

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• PARENT'S SEXUAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS - We know that many parents aren’t comfortable or are unsure about how to talk to their children about sexuality. Our group workshops and counselling can help you learn how to talk to your child in a way that fits with your values and supports your child’s growth and learning in a positive way. For more info