Our partners & allies

Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC): promotes the health of people of diverse sexualities and genders through research and intervention development.

Egale Canada. EGALE is a national 2SLGBTQIA+ organization aiming to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada and to enhance the global response to 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Egale achieves this by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, awareness and legal advocacy.

Four Feathers Society, a Two Spirit organization that hosts online and in-person groups and cultural activities. See also their Facebook page.

Health Initiative for Men (HiM), a nonprofit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being in communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in B.C. HiM offers a full spectrum of health-based programming and services to meet the sexual, mental, physical and social health needs of communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in B.C.

Living with Pride (LWP) Foundation. Empowering LGBTQ2S++ seniors through inclusive housing, services, and community events. Fostering dignity, equality, and social connection. Building a stronger, inclusive society where every LGBTQ2S++ senior can access the resources they need to thrive. The Living with Pride Foundation is a non profit registered BC society created in 2022 specifically to address the need for purpose built seniors housing in Vancouver for our aging LGBTQ2S++ community, address isolation and loneliness and  create safe queer seniors spaces. We are here to support, advocate for and work with local organizations who deliver the programs and services we depend on.

McLaren Housing Society of British Columbia. Although not 2SLGBTQIA+ specific, the McLaren Housing Society has supported and provided housing for HIV+ people since 1987.

QMUNITY: B.C.'s Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit resource centre offers Seniors & Older Adults Services, and the Friendly Visitors program which connects a senior with a volunteer. In the near future QMUNITY will be offering a pro bono 2SLGBTQIA+ legal clinic! 🥳

Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) creates opportunities for the healthcare system to better serve 2SLGBTQ communities. RHO offers education and training for healthcare providers across the province to feel more clinically and culturally competent in caring for their 2SLGBTQ service users. RHO also supports system change by producing evidence-based print and web resources, contributing an 2SLGBTQ health perspective to public policy processes, acting as a research catalyst and hosting Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ health conference.

Rainbow Refugee. Founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee is a Vancouver based organization that promotes safe, equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status.

Ribbon Community (previously AIDS Vancouver): programs and services for HIV+ community members.

Ross-Aoki House: the first dedicated housing unit for 2S, BIPOC and non-binary/trans residents in B.C. Ross-Aoki House is managed by Atira Women's Resource (Atira Housing) under contract to the City of Vancouver.

Sher Vancouver, a registered charity for queer South Asians and allies in Metro Vancouver, B.C. Sher Vancouver was founded by Alex Sangha, a founding member of DSS.

Vancouver Outdoor Club for Women (VOCW), an outdoors activities group that values diversity and inclusion and encourage interested women of all races, physical abilities, and economic means to join. We're primarily a lesbian organization and we welcome all women, 19 years and older. Visit their Facebook page.

411 Seniors Centre Society – DSS has a good working relationship with the staff and board, and trusts them to serve our community members looking for generic older adult information and services.
In May 2023 DSS and the 411 Seniors Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively.

The Action for Reform of Residential Care (ARRCBC) Association wrote the report on reform of residential care in B.C., which the DSS board endorsed in April 2021.

BC Care Providers Association and it's operating arm EngAge BC have partnered with Dignity Seniors Society to promote 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusiveness and competency within B.C.'s seniors’ care industry.

DSS is a member of the British Columbia Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA), a not-for-profit, membership organization which represents individuals and organizations committed to promoting and delivering hospice/palliative care to British Columbians.
DSS has partnered with the BCHPA.

Haro Park Centre is a Campus of Care Community in the West End of Vancouver, B.C. offering independent housing, assisted living and residential care to seniors. The management of the facility initially sat on the DSS board, and 20% of residents identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
In April 2024, DSS and Haro Park signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively.Volunteer here.

Little Mountain Place is a VCH-operated seniors residential care home in Vancouver, B.C. DSS is building a relationship with the management, and is working to support a non-binary senior in residence.

DSS aims to work closely with the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate (OSA) of British Columbia. In June 2023 DSS presented the results of it's Aging with Dignity in June 2023 (see the report here). In March 2024, the OSA authored a report for DSS on end of life legal issues to consider for 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults.

Save Our Northern Seniors (SONS) is a dedicated group of people making a difference for seniors in Northern B.C. SONS provides information and raises issues of concern.

The Seniors Services Society of BC a non-profit agency located in New Westminster, British Columbia, providing local and provincial programs and services to support vulnerable older adults to live as independently as possible. The Seniors Services Society of BC has over forty years of experience in providing programs and services for vulnerable older adults. They also provide a free seniors legal advice clinic.

City of Vancouver (CoV) Advisory groups and citizen involvement, informed by CoV's 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee and CoV's Programs and support for Vancouver's seniors.

DSS is building a relationship with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). VCH manages most of the residential care facilities we would like to designate 2SLGBTQIA+ appropriate.

West End Seniors Network (WESN), A Vancouver community that supports and empowers older adults to live involved, healthy and fulfilling lives.