What kinds of services do you offer?

Do you have counselling?

Do you have a coming out group for Men/Women?

Are you a Gay centre?

I am a student doing a project on gays and lesbians, where can I get information?

Can I interview you about what it’s like to be gay / lesbian?

Where can I get food, clothing, or shelter near The 519?

What are your hours?

Where can I get an HIV test?

Do you have a list of Gay positive doctors?

Do you have public washrooms?

How do I volunteer for Pride Week? (Seasonal)

How do I become a volunteer for The 519 and what positions do you have?

Q: What kinds of services do you offer?

A: The 519 has over 300 groups using meeting space, providing community services and offering self help programmes. Check out or programmes index for more info.

Q: Do you have counselling?

A: Counselling is available on topics as diverse as: coming out, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgendered issues, relationship problems, sexual abuse or sexual assault, grief, depression, partner abuse, stress, aging, etc. Our volunteer counsellors can offer up to 6 appointments of 1 hour each. You can expect: to speak with anonymity and confidentiality, to receive support and respect, to be listened to carefully, to have someone who tries to understand your issues, and to finish knowing who can help you in the future if you need it. Appointments take place at the community centre and are free of charge. To arrange an appointment leave a voice mail for the counselling supervisor 416-392-6878 x 335. The counselling supervisor is not available directly by phone, but does return calls within a day or two.

Q: Do you have a coming out group for Men/Women?

A: Coming Out Being Discussion Group meets every Wednesday from 6-8 pm.

Women's Group meets Monday Nights from 8-10pm.

TAGL Queer Support Phone Line 416-964-6600

Q: Are you a gay centre?

A: We are open to everyone, with a special focus on LGBT programming. As a community centre, we serve the neighbourhood around us. Because we are in the heart of the Church-Wellesley Village, this has a large impact on our programming. If you are looking for a GLBT only group, you can look through the programme list.

Q: I am a student doing a project on gays and lesbians, where can I get information?

A: The Yorkville Public Library has the biggest collection of lesbian and gay material in the Toronto library system; the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives has information on important events in lesbian and gay history and the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario can provide you with information on the struggle for equality of lesbians and gays.

The Toronto Board of Education’s Triangle Program is a secondary school program for lesbian, gay, bisexual students who have dropped out of school or are thinking about it because of homophobia. Another agency dealing with lesbian, gay and bisexual youth is Central Toronto Youth Services.

1. Yorkville Public Library
22 Yorkville Ave., Toronto
416-393-7660

2. Bloor and Gladstone Public Library
1101 Bloor St. W., Toronto
416-393-7674

3. Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
56 Temperance St., Ste. 201, Toronto
416-777-2755
Tues.-Thurs. 7:30-10:00 p.m.

4. Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario
416-533-6824

5. Triangle Program - Toronto District School Board
416-397-3000

6. Central Toronto Youth Services
65 Wellesley St. E., Toronto
416-924-2100

Q: Can I interview you about what it’s like to be LGBT for my school project?

A: We get between 5 and 10 requests like this a day, so we aren’t able to accommodate your request. If you want to interview a few gay people for a school project, this is not a great research method. There is as much diversity in the glbt community as there is in any other community, and sexuality is a complex topic for anyone. However, if you are required to interview gay people, try posting your request and ask people who want to be interviewed to get in touch with you. Use a voice mail box or pager to collect responses to the poster.

Q: Where can I get food, clothing, or shelter near The 519?

A: Call the Street Helpline: 1-866-392-3777.

The 519 has a free meal every Sunday, primarily for homeless and underhoused people.

Clothing is distributed to anyone in need as follows:

Tuesdays from 5:30pm-6pm (women's)
Tuesdays from 6pm-8pm (general)
Thursdays from 1pm-7pm (general)

Q: What are your hours?

A: Mon-Fri: 9:00am -10:00pm
Sat: 9:00-5:00pm
Sun: 10:00-5:00pm

Q: Where can I get an HIV test?

A: The Hassle Free Clinic (66 Gerrard Street East at Church) does anonymous HIV testing. Call for appointments re: sexually transmitted infections.

Men’s number: 416-922-0603
Women’s number: 416-922-0566

St. Michael's Hospital Emergency at the corner of Queen & Victoria can do tests 24 hours a day, but there is a wait if the emergency is busy.

Q: Do you have a list of Gay positive doctors?

A: There is no list currently, however, Sherbourne Health Centre has LGBT Primary Health Care Programmes and Services.

For up to date information about doctors who also specialize in HIV-primary care, call ACT at 416-340-8844.

Q: Do you have public washrooms?

A: Yes, including a wheelchair accessible washroom.

Q: How do I volunteer for Pride Week? (Seasonal)

A: The 519 runs several events during Pride. To volunteer for The 519 Pride events (information tables, beer gardens, etc.) call the Volunteer Coordinator at 416-392-6878 x 106.

To volunteer for the parade and other community wide events, call Pride Toronto at 416-92-PRIDE or look at their website: www.pridetoronto.com

Q: How do I become a volunteer for The 519 and what positions do you have?

A: detailed information can be found through the I'll Help section.