2SLGBTQIA+ Support and Care

Students sitting at outdoor tables with the Progress Pride Flag painted on the sidewalk

University is a time of figuring things out. New classes, new people, new experiences—and sometimes, new questions about who you are and where you belong.

Sometimes there can be pressure to have everything figured out already. Other times, reaching out can feel intimidating because of past experiences, concerns about being understood, worries about privacy, or simply not knowing where to start. 

Many 2SLGBTQIA+ people face additional barriers that make accessing support feel more complicated. Whether it's experiencing discrimination, navigating family expectations, questioning your identity, or not seeing yourself reflected in the spaces around you, these experiences can make it harder to trust that help will actually make a difference. 

If that's been your experience, you're not alone—and asking for support can be a powerful next step.  

Support isn't just for a crisis:

A common myth is that resources are only for people who are struggling or in crisis. The truth? It's also for growth, connection, exploration and making university feel manageable long before it becomes overwhelming.

Have you ever thought: 

  • "My problem isn't serious enough." 

  • "Someone else probably needs help more than I do." 

  • "I should be able to handle this myself." 

  • "I don't even know what I need."

  • "I don't need support—I just need to push through."

  • "Everyone else seems to be handling it."

You don't need a breaking point to benefit from support. Connecting with support can help you navigate everyday challenges, big life transitions and everything in between.

Support can be helpful if you’re:

  • Questioning or exploring your identity 

  • Looking for community and connection 

  • Navigating relationships with friends, family, or partners 

  • Experiencing discrimination, bias, or exclusion 

  • Feeling isolated or disconnected. 

  • Experiencing mental health concerns, whether related to your identity or not 

  • Looking for information about gender, sexuality, or expression 

  • Wondering how to advocate for yourself 

  • Experiencing interpersonal violence or sexual violence 

  • Simply looking for a space where you can be yourself 

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Many people connect with support because they don't have all the answers yet. Sometimes reaching out is about solving a problem. Other times it's about finding people who get it. All are valid reasons.

Support Can Look Like:

Support isn't one-size-fits-all. Whether you're looking for information, community, guidance, or professional care, there are many ways to connect with support based on what feels right for you. It might look like: 

  • Attending a community event or joining a student group. 
  • Meeting with a peer mentor or speaking with a counsellor. 
  • Finding an affirming environment  
  • STI testing and treatment, accessing birth control or seeking fertility referrals 
  • Connecting with staff who can answer questions 
  • Finding in-person and online communities and educational resources. 

Support is designed to help you navigate challenges, explore questions, build connections and take care of your well-being. You get to decide what feels right for you and what level of support you need, when you need it.You get to decide what feels right for you and what level of support you need. 

Community Impact

UWaterloo students and staff marching in the Toronto Pride Parade

Sometimes the most powerful thing about a resource isn't the information it provides, it's the reminder that you're not the only person navigating these experiences. 

Connecting with 2SLGBTQIAA+ peers, staff, mentors, or community groups can help reduce feelings of isolation and create opportunities to learn from people who understand what you're going through. 

Whether you're looking for friendship, affirmation, advice, or simply a place to exist without explanation, finding your community can make a big difference. 

Be You at Waterloo

Student sitting at a laptop with a Be You sticker on it

You Belong Here. Whatever your identity, wherever you are on your journey and whether you're ready to connect today or sometime in the future, know this: you deserve support, belonging, and spaces where you can show up as your authentic self. 

And if you're thinking about reaching out, that reason is enough.  

Start by exploring Wellness Programs and Student Groups

Your Privacy Matters

visual representation of confidential conversations between a student and a professional support service

We also want to reassure that all student, whether they are international or Canadian, that your personal health information is protected and confidential.  

Campus Wellness operates under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), which means your information is handled with strict privacy protections Read more about what that means in our Privacy and Consent Policy. 

There's no "right time" to reach out

You don't need to wait until you're struggling.  You can reach out when you're curious. When you're uncertain. When you want to connect. When you want to celebrate who you are. Or when you simply want to know what resources exist. Support looks different for everyone and your needs may change over time. Bookmark this page to come back to it when you need it.

Connect with resources

Off-Campus Support Resources

Looking for support beyond campus?

Here are affirming resources in the community: 

people in rainbow skintone