Frequently Asked Questions

pflag originally stood for “Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays,” reflecting its origins as a parent-led support movement in the 1970s. Today, pflag Canada is much broader than that name suggests. We are a national charitable organization offering peer support, education, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and the families, friends, and allies who love them. Our network of volunteer-run chapters spans every province and territory, and our work is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to live openly and be fully accepted for who they are.

pflag Canada is for everyone. That includes 2SLGBTQIA+ people at any stage of their journey, parents and caregivers who have just learned their child is 2SLGBTQIA+, partners, siblings, grandparents, friends, teachers, and anyone else who wants to learn, connect, or find support. You do not need to be 2SLGBTQIA+ to reach out, and you do not need to have all the answers before you walk through the door. We are a family for all.

Yes, and you are not alone. Many pflag Canada volunteers are parents who have been exactly where you are. It is completely normal to feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to say or do next. Reaching out to pflag Canada is a meaningful first step. You can contact us directly, connect with your nearest local chapter, or simply browse our resources. What matters most to your child right now is knowing you love them. pflag can help you find the language, the confidence, and the community to show up for them.

pflag Canada is absolutely a resource for you. While we were founded by parents, we exist to support 2SLGBTQIA+ people just as much as we support those who love them. You can access our resources, connect with a local chapter, reach out for peer support, or find information tailored specifically to your experience. Our Canadian Support Groups page also lists national and regional organizations that may have specialized support for your needs. You belong here.

Peer support means connecting with someone who has lived experience similar to your own. pflag Canada volunteers are people who have personally navigated the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience, either as community members or as family members of someone who is 2SLGBTQIA+. They can listen, share their own journey, offer perspective, and point you toward resources. Peer support is not therapy or clinical counseling, and pflag Canada does not offer mental health treatment. If you need professional support, we can help connect you with appropriate services in your community. Many people find peer support and professional care work well together.

pflag Canada uses 2SLGBTQIA+ as its standard acronym because it reflects the full scope of our community. The “2S” stands for Two-Spirit, a term used by some Indigenous peoples to describe a person who holds both masculine and feminine spirits. It is placed first to recognize that Two-Spirit identities predate colonization in this land. “L” is for lesbian, “G” for gay, “B” for bisexual, “T” for trans, “Q” for queer and questioning, “I” for intersex, and “A” for asexual. The “+” acknowledges that language continues to evolve and that there are identities not yet captured by any single acronym. We use this acronym because inclusion is not symbolic for us. It is foundational.

Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island to describe a person who holds both a masculine and a feminine spirit within the same body. It is a culturally specific concept rooted in Indigenous traditions and worldviews, and it is not interchangeable with Western concepts of gender identity or sexual orientation. Two-Spirit people have always been part of Indigenous communities, often holding honoured roles. The “2S” appears at the front of the acronym 2SLGBTQIA+ as an acknowledgment that Indigenous peoples and their ways of understanding identity were here first, and as a commitment to recognizing that history.

No. pflag Canada is a secular organization and welcomes people of all faiths, spiritual backgrounds, and none at all. We are not affiliated with any religious institution. If faith is important to you and you are looking for affirming spiritual community or faith-based resources, we can help you find organizations in Canada that serve 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their families from a range of religious traditions.

No. pflag Canada and PFLAG USA are separate organizations. Both grew from the same parent-led support movement that began in the 1970s, and we share a common history and values, but we are independently operated and governed. pflag Canada is a federally registered Canadian charity focused on the Canadian context, including Canadian law, policy, and the realities facing 2SLGBTQIA+ people and families across this country. If you are based in Canada, pflag Canada is your organization.

You can find your closest chapter by visiting our Find a Chapter page. Chapters are organized by province and territory, and each listing includes contact information and meeting details. If you are not sure which chapter serves your area or would like help connecting, you can also reach us directly at support@pflagcanada.ca and we will point you in the right direction.

If there is no chapter near you, you can still access pflag Canada’s resources, reach us directly for peer support, and connect with national support organizations listed on our Canadian Support Groups page. We also host virtual peer support groups, including a dedicated group for trans women, transfeminine individuals, and non-binary people 18 and older. And if you are interested in building something in your own community, we would love to talk with you about starting a pflag chapter.

Yes. pflag Canada serves trans and non-binary people across the country and recognizes the specific challenges that trans and non-binary people and their families face, including navigating legal name and gender marker changes, accessing affirming healthcare, and dealing with discrimination or unsupportive environments at home or school. Our chapters offer peer support grounded in lived experience, and we run a dedicated virtual peer support group for trans women, transfeminine individuals, and non-binary people 18 and older. Contact transfem-enby@pflagcanada.ca for more information about that group.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you are in emotional crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please contact Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566, available toll-free at any time, or text 45645 between 4 p.m. and midnight ET. For youth under 20, Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting 686868. Trans Lifeline, a peer support line run by and for trans people, can be reached at 877-330-6366. pflag Canada volunteers are caring and committed, but we are not a crisis service and cannot always respond immediately. Please use these resources if you need help right now.

pflag Canada is entirely volunteer-run, and our work depends on people like you. Volunteers support peer support programs, chapter operations, education and workshop delivery, fundraising, communications, and more. You do not need to be 2SLGBTQIA+ to volunteer. You do need to care about people and want to make a difference. Visit our Volunteer with pflag page to fill out an expression of interest, and someone from our team will be in touch.

Yes. pflag Canada is a federally registered Canadian charity. Our charitable registration number is 864483276RR0001, and donations are eligible for a Canadian tax receipt. Your donation supports peer support services, chapter development and training, educational workshops, advocacy work, and programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. pflag Canada is run almost entirely by volunteers, which means your contribution goes directly toward programs and services rather than large administrative costs. You can donate securely through our Donate page.