Medical & health
Quest is a non-profit registered charitable organization providing primary health care and health promotion, to residents of the Niagara Region.
Category: General
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PFLAG Niagara
In communities across the country, the Pflag Canada network provides peer support, education and advocacy for a Canada that affirms respects and values all sexualities, genders and gender expressions.
Pflag Niagara is a chapter of Pflag Canada serving the Niagara Region
Do you have an upcoming event of interest to the community? Tell us about it here and we’ll add it to our calendar!
See their website for upcoming events for the 2S&LGBTQIA+ community in Niagara and beyond.
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Niagara Transgender Action Coalition (NTAC)
pflag Niagara is a proud supporter of the Niagara Transgender Action Coalition (NTAC)
NTAC is a group of community members and service providers who are committed to supporting and elevating transgender folks in the Niagara region through engaging in advocacy work, providing access to pre and post surgery kits, and planning community events.
To request resources or inquire about how you can get involved, please email ntac@pflagniagara.ca
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OUTniagara
OUTniagara is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit community organization that supports and unites the sexual and gender-diverse community in the Niagara Region of Ontario. The organization was founded in 2004 and works with community partners to provide resources and reduce barriers for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Services and initiatives
OUTniagara serves as a central hub for connecting and informing the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community through various initiatives:
- Community hub: The organization maintains a website with a community calendar, listings of social and support groups, and a directory of 2SLGBTQQIA+ friendly businesses in the Niagara Region.
- Advocacy and education: OUTniagara amplifies the voices of the community and advocates for public policy changes. It also provides educational resources, such as the Beyond the Rainbow Syllabus.
- Community Strengths and Needs Assessment: In 2022, OUTniagara published a report titled “OUT in Niagara: Collectively Advancing 2SLGBTQ+ Equality in Niagara+,” which summarized a 2021 study on the needs and experiences of the local community.
- Partnerships: It collaborates with and provides funding to other organizations in the region, including Pflag Canada—Niagara Region and Quest Community Health Centre, to help support their operations and events.
- Founder’s Community Fund: The organization maintains a fund to provide grants to partner organizations to help cover the costs of regular meetings or events.
Contact and involvement
- Website: outniagara.org
- Email: outniagara@gmail.com
- Social media: OUTniagara is active on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
- Get involved: Community members interested in helping can find out how to volunteer or become a member by visiting the organization’s website.
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Mahtay Café & Lounge
Mahtay Cafe is a community-oriented cafe and lounge in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario. The cafe, which opened in 2011, is known for its inclusive environment, local products, and diverse events.
Location and atmosphere
- Address: 241 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario.
- Vibe: It is described as a safe space for all people with a quirky, art-filled, and comfortable atmosphere. Local artwork is frequently displayed and sold on the walls.
Events
Mahtay Cafe regularly hosts a variety of events, including:
- Drag brunches
- Art and craft markets
- Meetings for local groups, such as Pride Niagara
Contact and hours
- Website:
https://www.mahtaycafe.ca/ - Phone: 905-685-4040
- Email:
hello@mahtay.ca - Hours: Vary by day but are often open in the morning and early evening. It is best to check recent listings or their social media for the most current schedule.
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Little Red Coffee
Type: Community Space / Business
Time Period: 2022-Present
Location: 46 Queen St, Fort Erie, OntarioDescription:
Little Red Coffee is an independent café in Fort Erie that quickly became a welcoming hub for the local LGBTQ2S+ community. Beyond serving coffee, the shop created a safe and inclusive gathering place—hosting events, supporting community initiatives, and building connections across Niagara.Significance:
As a Trans & Queer owned business, Little Red Coffee represents both visibility and resilience. It has offered a space where people could be themselves openly, where community members met, and where Queer presence in small-town Niagara became part of everyday life.Events:
– Niagara Queer Archive story telling events
– Arts and culture eventsTags: 2020s, Business, community, safe space
Municipality: Fort Erie
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Les Lakewood
Type: Personal Story / Organizer
Time Period: 2000s–present
Location: Fort Erie, OntarioDescription:
Les Lakewood is an entrepreneur, community-builder, and advocate for LGBTQ2S+ presence in Niagara. Known for running Little Red Coffee as well as years of work in web development and local initiatives, Les has helped create spaces where Queer identity is visible, celebrated, and connected to wider community life.Significance:
Les’s story reflects resilience and leadership: building inclusive spaces, amplifying local Queer voices, and ensuring that Niagara’s LGBTQ2S+ history is not just preserved but lived.