Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

Ross Sheppard's Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a club that meets every Wednesday at lunch in room 2207. Our mission is to create a safe, inclusive space where members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and allies at Shep can come together and create community with one another. Shep's GSA aims to spread the message of acceptance and diversity throughout the school community.

GSA Resources

• A support line for the 2sLGBTQT+ community in Alberta
• Brite Line is Edmonton’s first 24/7 mental health and wellness helpline dedicated to supporting people in Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
• Created by members of the community for the community, Brite Line is a safe place to call to connect with hope, courage, support, understanding and the freedom to be who you are.
• Phone Number: 1-844-702-7483
• Website: https://www.briteline.ca/

• LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Centre
• They exist to serve the gender-diverse communities of Edmonton and Northern Alberta through every step of their journey. They also offer a number of services for other members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
• Services include; family medicine, psychiatry, psychology, endocrinology, nursing support, etc.
• Great place to call to receive direction/referrals.
• Website: www.wellnesscentreab.ca

• Through a partnership with the LGBTQ Wellness Centre, the Family Resilience Project offers free short-term counselling to sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) children, youth, and families.
• If you are someone you know requires counselling please fill out our contact form. Select "Family Resilience Project" for services required. You will be contacted directly within 5 business days.
• Website: www.ualberta.ca/ismss/programs-and-services/family-resilience-project/index.html

• The Institute for Sexual Minority Studies & Services (iSMSS) is a non-profit organization and research institute housed in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. iSMSS provides educational programs and services to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies.
• Offers a variety of programs:
  • Camp fYrefly - A national leadership and wellness camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth that focuses on their individual needs, socialization, health, and wellness as well as ways to help youth grow into resilience.
  • Where the Rivers Meet - A project that grew out of the need to address systemic discrimination and create specialized programming catering to the lived realities of Two-Spirit, and LGBTQ+ Indigenous youth. It focuses on developing and providing leadership workshops designed to combat homophobia and transphobia in K-12 schools.
  • C.H.E.W Project YEG - The CHEW Project’s vision is to provide frontline support, opportunities for health and wellness, and to help find hope for LGBTQ2S+ youth and young adults facing barriers.
  • Family Resilience Project - Through a partnership with the LGBTQ Wellness Centre, the Family Resilience Project offers free short-term counselling to sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) children, youth, and families.
  • Alberta GSA Network - The Alberta GSA Network is a collective of resources specific to Alberta K-12 students, teachers, and school staff. The network is organized by the Provincial GSA Coordinator, a position within the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) at the University of Alberta.
• They also offer support for current or future University of Alberta students.
• Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/ismss/index.html

2SLGBTQ+ MENTAL HEALTH & SUPPORT RESOURCES

• Document link

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Alberta GSA Network
• Alberta Health Services (LGBTQ2S+)
• Pride Centre of Edmonton
• Rainbow Alliance for Youth of Edmonton