Queer Youth Inclusion

Do you identify as 2STGD+ and love Dungeons & Dragons? Have you wanted to play but don't know where to start? This program is for you! 

When: Thursdays between 6:30pm and 7:45pm, 3 sessions from September 11 to December 18, 2025
Location: Central Vancouver, location shared after safety screening
Ages: 13 to 16 years
Fees: Free
Registration: Recommended due to very limited space. Register now

Contact 

Email [email protected] for location.

Participants

This program is for youth 13 to 16 years, who are Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Diverse (2STGD). 

Gender creative, non binary, questioning gender non conforming. All those labels work too!

No experience required, all are welcome.

Program overview

2STGD&D is a low-sensory, beginner friendly program for 2STGD youth aged 13 to 16. Youth will create characters, learn how to play the game, and make new friends through action and roleplay.

This program will run in 3 rounds of 5 week sessions to allow as many youth as possible to experience the game. Register in only one of the sessions.

Program leader

Classes will be led by Wake Cook-Kero (he/they), a member of the Queer Inclusion team who is also an experienced transmasc Dungeon Master.

Plan ahead

• Personal belongings can be brought inside the room.
• Do not bring anything scented (body products, clothing with residue from scented laundry products).
• Bring a favourite sketchbook and pencil, or use provided supplies.
• Our space will have bright overhead lighting, plus natural lighting from window, tables, chairs, and a power outlet to share.
• Second floor washrooms are binary with "gender diverse people welcome" signage, and a single-user washroom is available between the binary washrooms.
• Second floor is accessed by stairs or elevator.

Connect with other teens who are Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bi/Pan, Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Agender, and other orientation and gender identities (2SLGBTQIA+), or allies, and co-create the program of your dreams. The fall 2025 season will include games, crafts, and team-building activities, and will grow to develop leadership skills and community involvement.

When: Tuesdays between 3:30pm to 5:30pm, September 9 to December 16, 2025
Location: East Vancouver, location shared after safety screening (no change from spring 2025)
Ages: 13 to 18 years
Fees: Free
Registration: Recommended as we will contact you if a session is cancelled. Register now

Contact

Email [email protected] for location.

Participants

This program is for teenagers 13 to 18 years, who are 2SLGBTQIA+.

Teenagers 13 to 18 who are allies (supportive of Two Spirit, Queer and Trans people) are welcome and encouraged to attend.

No experience required, all are welcome.

Program leader

This session is facilitated by a member of the Queer Inclusion Program Assistant team.

Plan ahead

• Personal belongings can be brought inside the room.
• Do not bring anything scented (body products, clothing with residue from scented laundry products).
• Supplies will be provided for any planned activities.
• Our space will have overhead and natural lighting. Folding chairs are available, other seating can be arranged by request.
• Ground floor washrooms are binary with "gender diverse people welcome" signage. A single-user washroom is available in the rink lobby.
• Ground floor access is level, no stairs.

Workouts are circuit-style and multiple stations will be set up around the room. Free weights, mats, kettlebells, and other equipment are provided.

When: Mondays between 7:15pm and 8:15pm (program runs year-round, see dates at registration links)
Location: Central Vancouver, location shared after safety screening 
Ages: Adults and youth 13 years and up
Fees: Regular fitness rates apply
Leisure access Program: 100% discount
Registration: Recommended as we will contact you if a session is cancelled. Register for individual dates

Contact

Email [email protected] for location.

Participants

This program is for teens, adults, and seniors, 13 years and up, who are Two-Spirit, Trans, Gender Diverse (2STGD).

People 13 years and up outside that description are welcome if they are anchoring the attendance of a 2STGD participant.

No experience required, beginners welcome.

Program leader

Weekly workouts are led by Sara (they/them), a BCRPA certified personal trainer. They believe that all bodies are good bodies and we all deserve endorphins, if we want them.

Plan ahead

• Aim to check in at the front desk then arrive at the workout room by 7:10pm so the instructor can set up the correct number of stations for the circuit, and get the workout underway at 7:15pm.
• Personal belongings can be brought inside the room and left near the coat rack.
• Do not bring anything scented (body products, clothing with residue from scented laundry products).
• Exercise equipment including spin bikes, mats, dumbbells, and a TRX system are provided. A water fountain is located just outside the room.
• Our space will have bright overhead lighting that is dimmed for low-sensory sessions.
• Ground floor washrooms are binary with "gender diverse people welcome" signage. A single-user washroom is available on the second floor beside the binary washrooms, accessed by stairs or elevator (requires cashiers to swipe for access).
• Ground floor access is level, no stairs. Underground parking accesses ground floor by elevator or stairs.

Registration and cancellation

• Registration is not required, but it allows us to contact you in the event of a last-minute cancellation. If more people arrive than the room capacity allows, registered participants will have priority over drop-ins.
• Online registration closes 2 hours before the program starts, but if the session does not display as "full", there are still spaces available for drop-in.
• If you have already registered and need to withdraw from the session with more than 24 hours notice, go to vanrec.ca, My Account, then Transaction and Payment History. 
• To withdraw from the session with less than 24 hours before the program starts, email [email protected]. We appreciate your withdrawal efforts so we can open the spot for another participant.

A safe and inclusive space for 2SLGBTQIA+, questioning or unlabelled youth to authentically be themselves. Together, we'll co-create a space to share our experiences, learn from each other, and have fun!

Drop by any time — snacks will be provided.

When: Saturdays between 2pm to 4pm
Location: East Vancouver location. Email [email protected] for details. 
Ages: 11 to 16 years

Program amenities

We have pool, table tennis, foosball, a Nintendo switch, and more.

Activities

We’ll plan activities including art, cooking, watching queer media, on-site recreational programming like skating and swimming, and even out-trips.

This class will teach the basics of punching and footwork of boxing, which is not only fun and fosters confidence and body awareness. Boxing is also an excellent practice for coordination and overall movement literacy. 

Some youth learn to discover their strength, some to regulate their strength.

When: Wednesdays between 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Offered fall, winter, and spring.
Location:  East Vancouver, location shared after registration
Ages: 12 to 18 years

Check program dates and register

Queer Youth Create combines artistic expression with queer identity, providing a space for LGBTQ+ youth to be creative! We will explore drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and comic storytelling, and more.

Classes will be led by Wake Darrah Cook, Emily Carr Alumnus, and published comic artist, with guest demos and instruction from fellow queer artists.

When: Fridays, 7:15pm to 8:15pm. Offered fall, winter, and spring.
Location: South Vancouver, location shared after registration. 
Ages: 13 to 17 years 
Fees: Free

Check program dates and register

Queer Youth Craft Cafe is a free monthly social for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Allies are welcome if they are anchoring the attendance of a 2SLGBQIA+ participant.

This is a non-instructional program where folks will have access to various craft supplies we have on hand to get creative. Artists of all levels are welcome.

Our program facilitator will be there to lend craft support, socialize, supply the snacks, and manage the playlist.  

Ages: 13 to 18 years
When: One Friday a month from 4pm to 5:30pm in a location along False Creek. September 26, November 21, and December 5, 2025. Information icon New program — future sessions not confirmed.

Check session dates and register 

Queer Youth Dungeons & Dragons is open to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 13-18. Allies are welcome accompanied with queer friends. D&D is a cooperative fantasy role-playing game that takes participants on thrilling adventures through worlds of magic and monsters.

This program will be lead by our experienced instructor, Will Lochhead, and new players are welcome! All the supplies needed to play will be provided, but participants with their own books and dice are welcome to bring them.

When: Fridays from 7:15pm to 9pm. September 26 to December 5, 2025.
Location: Along False Creek, location shared after registration. Information icon New program — future sessions not confirmed.
Ages: 13 to 18 years

Check session dates and register