Sexual health clinics in Toronto
Sexual health clinics in Toronto can help you stay safe, healthy and informed. As spring approaches and all the sexy people in this city emerge from their winter layers and lairs, it's important to know where you can turn if you have questions or concerns about your health and sexuality. Get yourself tested, know your status, then go out and enjoy all the consensual sensual pleasure Toronto has to offer.
Here's a round-up of sexual health clinics in Toronto.
Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Health operates the city's numerous sexual health clinics where you can find low cost or free birth control, free condoms, emergency contraceptives, HIV and STI testing, and all manners of sexuality and relationship counseling. They also offer workshops in harm reduction, HIV awareness and prevention, and raising sexually healthy children.
Hassle Free Clinic
The Hassle Free Clinic offers services to men, women and trans-identified men and women. The men/trans and women/trans clinics operate at the same premises, but with alternating hours and specializing in different services. Hassle Free is known for providing an open and inclusive space, and is the largest anonymous HIV test site in Canada.
Planned Parenthood Toronto
Planned Parenthood Toronto offers a full range of sexual, general, and related mental health services for Toronto youth aged 13-29. Anonymous HIV testing, general STI testing and information, pregnancy testing, pregnancy options, prenatal services and emergency contraception are all available with or without a health card.
Immigrant Women's Health Centre
The Immigrant Women's Health Centre provides free clinic services, outreach and information on a wide range of women's sexual health issues. The all-female staff offers services in 13 languages, and the IWHC also operates a Mobile Health Clinic to reach their clients where they live and work.
Birth Control and Venereal Disease Information Centre
At Lawrence and Dufferin, this was the first sexual health centre in North York. They were the second location to provide anonymous HIV testing in the province, and they initiated one of the first programs dealing with Female Genital Mutilation. Staffed by health educators, nurses and physicians, they provide free medical and sexual education services to the entire community.
The Crossways Sexual Health Clinic
Low-cost or free birth control, emergency birth control, STI and rapid HIV testing, and sexual health information and counselling are available on a drop-in basis at The Crossways Sexual Health Clinic at Dundas West + Bloor. Drop-in hours are available Monday through Friday.
The Rexdale Youth Resource Centre
Operating out of the YMCA on Albion Rd., the Rexdale Youth Resource Centre provides sexual health services to youth under the age of 28. They are only open Thursday afternoons from 2:45 PM - 5:30 PM by appointment, however no referral or OHIP coverage is required.
The Scarborough Sexual Health Clinic
The Scarborough Sexual Health Clinic operates out of the Scarborough Civic Centre and offers free, accessible sexual health services. They have drop-in hours Monday through Friday.
The Talk Shop
At Yonge and Sheppard, the Talk Shop offers free sexual health services, counselling, and STI and HIV testing on a drop-in basis Mondays and Wednesdays. You can also call for appointments outside of their regular drop-in hours.
U of T Sexual Education Centre
Operating out of all three campuses (downtown, Mississauga, and Scarborough), the U of T Sexual Education Centre's mission is to foster a sex-positive atmosphere on campus. Their resources include an on-site library, peer-to-peer counseling, and special events and sexuality workshops throughout the year. They also provide condoms and safer-sex supplies free of charge.
BONUS
Sexual Health Ontario.ca
This online resource from Ontario Public Health will help you find information all sexuality and health related matters. At the click of a mouse you can find information on STI's, prevention and protection, what to do if the condom breaks, and local clinics and counseling services in your area. Their Ask An Expert section has hundreds of sexuality questions answered by professionals.
What did I miss? Add your suggestion for local sexual health resources in the comments. Photo via Planned Parenthood.
Join the conversation Load comments