A guide to sexual health clinics in Toronto

“I will not be judged by you or society. I will wear whatever I want and blow whomever I want as long as I can breathe and kneel.” - Samantha Jones

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And she’s right. Wear and blow whomever you want! There should be absolutely no judgment around consensual sex and fashion (...well maybe fashion a bit), but this type of mentality also needs to carry over into the post-sex world as well. Taking the sting out of STI testing has been a consistent work in progress, and thanks to the fab effort put forth by sexual health practitioners in this city we’re pulling the conversation about sexual health out of the closet (with a stunning outfit on that is) and shining a light right onto it.

We are fortunate that here in Toronto getting tested has never been easier, not to mention judgment free. If you’re still unsure of where to go or even which ones are around, we got you. We have chosen to highlight four different clinics in the city that will help you gather all the information you need about your sexual health. Giving you the breakdown of their services, and any highlights their clinic provides. Oh! Also for funsies, I included important details such as local coffee shops and brunch spots in case you need a place closeby to take a breather or meet someone to chat.

*The lead image for this post is a screen shot of a text we received 48hrs after being tested at HQ*

SAFER SIX
27 Roncesvalles Ave. #505. Parkdale

Hours: By Appointment Only
647-657-4033
Tues: 9:00am-5:30pm

Wed:  9:30am-3:30pm
Thur: 9:30am-3:30pm
Fri: 9:30am-1:30pm

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Safer Six opened to service the community in the west end, an area where they felt was lacking in sexual health clinics. Not only do they provide testing of STI’s to all genders and sexual orientations, they also offer services to help clients gain access to things like PREP, birth control, mental health assistance, vaccines, and medical abortions. All of this is highlighted in their mission statement: “We are sex-positive, body-positive, pro-choice, inclusive health clinic for all genders and bodies'' An interesting addition to their team is their on staff Physiotherapist who is able to help with Pelvic heath! Which can assist with a wide assortment of issues like bowel and urinary function, as well as sexual performance and helping to build core strength to assist those who may suffer from post sex pain. So if you’re in the west end, book an appointment and get to know the team over at Safer Six.

Local Coffee Shop: Cherry Bomb Coffees
Local Brunch Spot: Easy Restaurant

PREP CLINIC
180 Bloor St. West

Hours: By Appointment Only
647-735-4881
Mon:  10:30am-5pm
Tues: 10:30am-9pm
Wed:  10:30am-7:30pm
Thur:  10:30am-5pm
Fri: 12pm-5pm
Sat: 11am-3pm
*Walk-in Hours*
Mon & Thur: 5pm-8:30pm

The name says it all: The PrEP Clinic! The main focus of their practice is to inform, educate, and assist their clients on PrEP and help gain access to PrEP for ZERO dollars. Their website has a quick survey for you to take to see if you qualify for free PrEP prescriptions, as well as not requiring a health card to help make it as low barrier as possible for everyone no matter gender or sexuality.

A key feature of this clinic is HIV prevention and education, they offer this via in person appointments as well as online. Operating with two other locations (Brampton and Ottawa) the Toronto location doesn’t provide STI testing, when asked about this they pointed to the fact that within Toronto there are many sexual health clinics that provide access for LGBTQ2S+ clients so they keep their attention to HIV awareness. They do offer STI testing and sexual health assistance in their other two locations. Reason being those cities have less access to safe, judgment free, health clinics for the queer community, so they opened up to provide that space to people in those areas. So if you’re not currently on PrEP or curious about it, make an appointment and speak to the lovely team over at The PrEP Clinic.

Local Coffee Shop: Goldstruck Coffee
Local Brunch Spot: Sassafraz (if you're fancy)

HASSLE FREE CLINIC 

66 Gerrard St. East - 2nd Floor

Hours: No Appointment Needed
Men/Trans Clinic

Mon & Wed:  4:00pm-8:00pm
Tues & Thur: 10:00am-3:00pm
Fri: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Sat: 10:00am-2:00pm

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Women/Trans Clinic
Mon, Wed, Fri: 10:00am-3:00pm
Tues & Thurs: 4:00pm-8:00pm

Maybe the most known spot in the city, Hassle Free Clinic has been helping people with their sexual health since 1973!! They have a long, and very interesting, history in the city. They are a one-stop-shop experience regarding sexual health education and testing. Not only do they perform testing out of their location, they also have pop-up testings at the 519 (check website for details and times). They have a mandate to be the most inclusive and judgment-free medical facility they can be, providing services to all genders and sexualities. As noted above they have separate operating hours for clients based on their preferred gender. This came about during the 1980’s, due to AIDS when there were significantly more men coming in, which caused the office to become too busy.

They introduced the separate hours to make sure they can assist everyone fairly and easily. Throughout the years they’ve happily taken feedback about this practice and modernized it with the times. There’s no gender policing in their clients and they have fantastic literature on their website that can answer any question you may have as a gender non-conforming or 2 Spirit person as to how to access their services without feeling othered or uncomfortable. A landmark in the city, and a great resource, make sure to check into the Hassle Free if you’re ever in need. Also they have an option on their website to make donations to their clinic, if you got some extra cash kickin around, think about helping them out.

Local Coffee Shop: Bulldog Coffee

Local Brunch Spot: Hair of the Dog

HQ

790 Bay St, Suit 820


Hours: No Appointment Needed
Mon: 12:00pm-7:30pm
Tues: 12:00pm-7:30pm
Wed: 12:00pm-7:30pm
Thur: 12:00pm-7:30pm
Fri: 12:00pm-5:30pm

There’s a new hottie on the block, and her name is HQ. This place is absolutely stunning. State of the art everything, including talking bathroom mirrors! I find it difficult to put into words how chic and easy this place operates. They not only offer a complete STI screening panel, they have their own on site lab. This provides the clients with results in 24 hours or less…best part, they just text you the results! They are also a low barrer space and once you fill out their forms (which they give you ipads to go sit and fill out with) they’ll give you a HQ card, if you don’t have a health card, so you can come in and just swipe it, select what kind of testing you’d like to get done, and press send. You take a seat and on your first visit come and give you everything you need to perform the tests in the bathroom. They have volunteers to assist if needed and also people to take your blood, but for the most part it’s pretty hands off. For every visit thereafter, all you have to do is swipe your health card at one of the computer kiosks, follow the prompts and the computer will print out the labels needed for your self-administered STI testing. You don't ever need to speak to a human during this entire process (unless you need blood sampling).

Other than sexual health, they have a big mission to help mental health and build community for people who are looking to find like minded people. Personal moment: I went to HQ for the first time recently to get tested and I mentioned to the doctor, just off handedly, about being a bit stressed out. She asked if I wanted her to set up a meeting with their mental health tech or get me in contact with a social services person to help with stress reduction. This completely caught me off guard, I’ve never had a doctor express concern over stress, like damn lol. Much like Hassle Free, I highly recommend looking at their website to see the resources they offer, because it’s a lot! They are another clinic that has a donation option on the site so consider giving if you can.  

Local Coffee Shop: Neo Coffee Bar
Local Brunch Spot: Franz