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.