Sex toys and books are our department. Everything else, we leave to the people who actually do it for a living.
We'll happily talk you through a toy, a book, or a first purchase you're nervous about. What we won't do is pretend to be something we're not. We're not medical professionals, we're not lawyers, and we're not a substitute for real care. So here's the short version of who to actually call when it's outside our lane.
For a health question (testing, PrEP, a worry about your body), start with a clinic, not a bookstore. For mental health or a hard night, there are people trained for exactly that, and reaching them is a sign of strength, not failure. For legal trouble, immigration, or housing, there are organizations built to help, often for free.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Crisis (24/7)
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline · Call or text 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada, or call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) in BC, both available 24/7. CMHA British Columbia
- Trans Lifeline · 1-877-330-6366 · A peer support line run by and for trans people. Open 10am to 6pm PT. Trans LifelineInstagram
Mental health
- BC Mental Health Support Line · 310-6789 (no area code) · For immediate mental health support or referral, 24 hours a day. CMHA British Columbia
- Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line · 604-872-3311. Crisis Centre BC
Health
- Health Initiative for Men (HIM) · 604-675-2767 · 416 - 1033 Davie Street, just down the block · HIV and STI testing, PrEP referral and prescribers, PEP, and vaccines for Hep A, Hep B, HPV, and Mpox for GBQ men and gender-diverse people, with walk-ins available every day during clinic hours. checkhimout.ca CheckhimoutVancouver Coastal Health
- Smart Sex Resource · smartsexresource.com · A map of clinics all around BC offering a wide range of sexual health services, for everyone HIM doesn't serve. Checkhimout
- HealthLink BC · 8-1-1 · Non-emergency health information from a registered nurse or pharmacist. Here to Help
Legal / Immigration
- Legal Aid BC · 604-408-2172 · Legal aid for BC residents with low incomes for serious family law problems, child protection matters, criminal law issues, and some immigration law matters. legalaid.bc.ca 211 British Columbia
- Rainbow Refugee · rainbowrefugee.ca · info@rainbowrefugee.ca · Information and system navigation to help LGBTQIA+ people understand immigration and refugee processes in Canada. Rainbowrefugee
Housing
- TRAC Tenant Infoline · 604-255-0546 · Free legal information and referrals for tenants across BC, open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1pm to 5pm, and Wednesday 5:30pm to 8:30pm. tenants.bc.ca Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre
A note on how to use this: you don't have to be in crisis to call any of these. Most of them would much rather hear from you early than late. Asking a question is not an imposition. It's the whole reason these organizations exist.
None of this means we don't care. It means the opposite. Sending you to the right expert is us caring enough to know our limits. Come to us for the books and the rest of it. For everything else, these are the people we'd call ourselves.
