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The GayYorkRegion logo: A symbolic map of the region using rainbow colours to represent the nine municipalities of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville
Connecting York Region's gay residents and resources.
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If you're dealing with a serious problem related to your sexuality, we're here to help. More »
Welcome to GayYorkRegion.com
Irrespective of their sexuality, many residents of York Region believe that there are no gay related services, resources or venues in this region - all such things are to be found in Toronto.
In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The region has gay friendly venues, social groups, support groups, numerous LGBT service providers, plus its own annual pride parade and festival.
GayYorkRegion exists to provide a central point of reference to all local LGBT services and resources.
Please Help Us To Support York Region's LGBT+ Community
GayYorkRegion is a not-for-profit service launched in 2006. It is owned and managed by members of the local LGBT community.
Our income comes from online advertising fees and donations. Advertising fees currently total less than $1000 per year but are increasing progressively.
In the past two years we have made a small amount of money go a long way. Available funds have been spent on:
  • The hosting and operation of this website,
  • Hosting the websites of the Rainbow Youth support group, Gay York Region social group (GYRSG) and York Pride Fest,
  • Printing the 'LGBT Services & Resources' brochures that are distributed to public libraries and other locations across the region, to cater primarily for LGBT+ individuals who cannot access the internet with privacy,
  • Printing the 'Canadian Values' safe space postcards and Gay York Region promotional cards that are distributed to the same locations,
  • Operating a toll-free telephone service shared by York Pride Fest, PFLAG York Region and My House Rainbow Resources of York Region, at no cost to those organizations,
  • Launching three sister sites to cover neighbouring regions,
  • Sponsorship of York Region Gay Straight Alliance (YRGSA) North events for LGBT youth in the north of York Region,
  • Sponsorship of York Pride Fest,
  • Creating publicity materials to advertise our existence,
  • Operating the Gay York Region social group,
  • Incidental expenses associated with marketing of our advertising opportunities.
Presently, stocks of our printed materials are at an all time low and libraries are running out of their supplies. But we do not have sufficient funds to order a reprint. We would also like to do much more to advertise our own existence to members of our community, if only we had the funds.
Please consider making a donation, however small, to enable us to overcome this problem and to do more. Or, if you own a gay welcoming business, consider advertising it in our online resource directory.
Bill C-16 to Guarantee Transgender Rights
The Trudeau government has introduced federal legislation that would guarantee legal and human rights protection to transgender people across Canada, a move coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
"I'm proud to say that moments ago, I introduced legislation, Bill C-16 ... that would ensure that Canadians will be free to identify themselves and to express their gender as they wish while being protected against discrimination and hate, because as Canadians, we should feel free and safe to be ourselves," said Justice Minister Jody-Wilson Raybould in Ottawa.
Raybould was joined in the foyer of the House Commons by several members and advocates of the transgender community.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a written statement earlier that the government would introduce legislation "that will help ensure transgender and other gender-diverse people can live according to their gender identity, free from discrimination, and protected from hate propaganda and hate crimes,"
"Today is about ensuring that all people — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — feel safe and secure, and empowered to freely express themselves," Trudeau said.
More ...
York Region's LGBT Organizations
Check out our Scene and Services sections for more information about these and other LGBT relevant organizations.
York Region's LGBT Organizations
 
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Mon 23Dec2024