David Kelley Services (DKS) Program is named after the late David Kelley, one of the founders of the Toronto Counselling Centre for Lesbians and Gays (TCCLG). The program was established in 1996 after TCCLG merged with Family Service Toronto.
We are committed to trauma-informed, anti-oppression practices to help empower LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families, as well as people living with, affected by or concerned about HIV/AIDS, and to enhance participation in their communities and in the broader society.
For more information about DKS, contact Service Access Unit at t. 416-595-9618 | [email protected]
For many within the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, the word Pride is often first encountered as a sin. The fight for Queer liberation led by Trans, gender non-conforming individuals, sex workers, drag queens/kings, queer youth, lesbians, gay men, Black, and Indigenous communities has allowed us to recognize and celebrate that Pride is a virtue.
During Pride we come together to honour this legacy and the continued fight for liberation and self-determination for all who continue to face racism, sexism, classism, ableism, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia, ageism, in addition to all other forms of oppression and subsequent violence rooted in colonialism, White supremacy, neoliberalism and capitalism.
We acknowledge that Black and Indigenous people have been instrumental in the effort towards Queer liberation, and we must continue to uplift their voices. To truly deconstruct white supremacist structures and systems of oppression, we must fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and swiftly implement the Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Calls to Action from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
As an agency, we are committed to upholding our values of celebrating diversity, pursuing equity and practising inclusion. We continue to ground our understanding of poverty, marginalization, discrimination and oppression in the lived experience of people and communities.
Join us June 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 355 Church Street for a drop-in, collaborative art making event about the theme of queer existence and resistance. Come together with members of the community and allies to celebrate the unique and diverse identities of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. No registration required. Download flyers
The David Kelley HIV/AIDS Counselling Program provides professional counselling and support services to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our services include goal-focused short to medium-term professional counselling to individuals, couples and families on issues such as loss, relationships, self-esteem, planning for healthy living, changing health status, and self-care.
We offer support groups as needed; referrals to other support services (financial, housing, treatment information, home care, etc.); advocacy on behalf of our clients.
For appointments, please contact the Service Access Unit at: 416.595.9618; [email protected]
The David Kelley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGBTQ+) Counselling Program provides professional, short-term, individual, couple and family counselling to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer.
Our counselling helps people who are facing a broad range of issues such as coming out, sexual orientation and gender identity, isolation, discrimination, relationship issues, parenting, transitioning, self-esteem and violence. We recognize the diversity that exists within the community of people who identify as LGBTQ+. While everyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ experiences discrimination based on sexual orientation, many LGBTQ+ individuals face other forms of discrimination as well; sometimes from within the community itself. This is particular true for trans and two spirited people. Our programs/services reflect awareness that additional factors such as race, class, age and ability influence the way that individuals experience their sexual orientation and gender identity.
David Kelley Services program offers 2STNB+ Connect – a virtual peer support group which welcomes youth (age 16-29) across the gender identity spectrum to meet and connect with others in their community, explore their identities, and create meaningful relationships. The group provides a friendly and non-judgemental space for 2STNB+ youth at all different stages on their gender journey to socialize and discuss a wide range of issues; from social and medical transition, to family, to school, as well as to share interests.
Groups are ongoing on a bi-weekly basis. For group information and registration go to Family Service Toronto Workshops, Groups and Events page.
The David Kelley program also provides Partner Assault Response (PAR) services for court- and probation-mandated individuals charged with assault to a same-sex partner. This service has been adapted to address the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ communities. It is offered in collaboration with Family Service Toronto’s Next Steps / Partner Abuse Response Program. Service is arranged through referral to Service Access Unit by probation or by the courts through the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto.
David Kelley offers counselling for male survivors of sexual abuse (age 16+) who seek support to deal with the impact of unwanted sexual experiences, whether recent or from years ago.
Our current workshops and groups are available on Workshops, Groups and Events page, David Kelley Services section.
Toronto Distress Centre: it provides 24-hour telephone support, 365 days a year.
Phone: 416 408-HELP (4357)
Ontario’s Online and Text Crisis and Distress Service (ONTX): Text is available from your mobile phone from 2pm to 2am daily . You will first need to complete a pre-chat survey and agree to terms and conditions of service and a responder will be available to you.
The Assaulted Women’s Helpline:
GTA 416-863-0511 (Ontario)
1-866-863-0511 (24 hour hotline)
TTY 416-364-8762 (Ontario TTY)
1-866-863-7868
LGBT Youth Line: a toll-free Ontario-wide peer-support phone line for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people. Sunday to Friday 4 to 9:30 pm
Phone: 1-800-268-9688
Text: (647) 694-4275
Central Youth Toronto Services (CYTS): it offers individual and group counselling for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning youth, ages 13-24.
Phone or text: 416-924-2100
Supporting Our Youth (SOY): a community development program designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto.
Trans Lifeline: a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people
Phone (877) 330-6366
The LGBTQ Parenting Network: it’s a a program of Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto, supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer parenting through training, research, resource development and community organizing.
David Kelly Services for LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families living with or affected by HIV/AIDS: 416-595-9618
Parkdale Community Health Centre: 416-537-2455
Sherbourne Health Centre: 416-324-4180
St. Joseph’s Hospital Women’s Health Centre: 416-530-6850
Two Spirited People of the First Nations: 416-944-2300
The 519 Community Counselling Program: 416-392-6878 x 4000
York Region Women’s Centre: 905- 853-9270 Toll Free: 1-855-853-9270
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands: 416-593-7655 TTY416-593-5835
Rainbow Health Ontario: it works to improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ people in Ontario, and to increase access to competent and LGBTQ friendly health care services across the province. Its Service Directory lists health and social service providers as well as programs that have expressed a commitment to providing competent and welcoming care to LGBTQ people in Ontario.
HIV-HCV411: HIV/AIDS and sexual health information in your area
AIDS and Sexual Health Infoline
Hotline: 416-392-2437
Toll free: 1-800-668-2437
Hassle Free Men’s Clinic
66 Gerrard Street East 2nd floor, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1G3
Tel: 416-922-0603
Hassle Free Women’s Clinic
66 Gerrard Street East 2nd floor, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1G3
Tel: 416-922-0566
African Community Health Services
110 Spadina Avenue, Suite #207 , Toronto, Ontario M5V 2K4
Tel: 416-591-7600
AIDS Committee of Toronto
543 Yonge Street, 4th floor, Toronto, ON. M4Y 1Y5
Tel: 416-340-2437
Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP)
120 Carlton St. Toronto Ontario Canada M5A 4K2
Tel: 416-599-2727
Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS)
260 Spadina Ave, Suite 410, Toronto, ON, M5T 2E4
Tel: 416-963-4300
Toll-Free Numbers: 1-877-630-2227 and 1-877-644-2227
Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP)
20 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5C 2N8
Tel: 416-977-9955
Email: [email protected]
Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples – AIDS Prevention Program
120 Carlton St. Suite 201 Toronto, ON M5A 4K3
Confidential Line: 416.925.2800
Email: [email protected]
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE): Canada’s source for up-to-date, unbiased information about HIV and hepatitis C.
555 Richmond Street West, Suite 505. Toronto, ON M5V 3B1
Toll-free telephone line: 1-800-263-1638
People with AIDS Foundation (PWA)
200 Gerrard Street East, 2nd Fl., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2E6
Tel: 416-506-1400