GayZone
Get tested. Get connected.
A safe space for queer wellness.
GayZone is a health and wellness program, providing a safe space to get tested, ask questions, find resources, and connect with your local community. Beyond just testing, GayZone hosts a variety of community programs, clubs, and classes—free and open to all.
The program is organized and operated by MAX Ottawa in partnership with the Centretown Community Health Centre, Ottawa Public Health, Aids Committee of Ottawa, and the Somerset West Community Health Centre.
GayZone operates out of two locations each with a weekly time slot:
Centretown Community Health Centre (420 Cooper St)
- Tuesdays 4:00-8:00 PM
- Services include: GetaKit pickup, Screening for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs), HIV testing, Community Programming
Sexual Health Clinic (179 Clarence St)
- Thursdays 4:00-6:00 PM
- Services include: Screening and treatments for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs), HIV testing--rapid and/or anonymous, Hepatitis A and B vaccination, HPV vaccine (for those who qualify), Imvamune® mpox vaccine (for those who qualify)
Programming
Reel Queers 🎞️
Location: Centretown Community Health Centre (420 Cooper St)
Reel Queers is GayZone's recurring queer film club, creating a welcoming and affirming space where 2SLGBTQ+ community members can gather to experience, discuss, and celebrate queer cinema. Through carefully curated screenings spanning classic, contemporary, independent, and international films, Reel Queers explores the diversity of queer identities, histories, and lived experiences while fostering meaningful conversation and community connection.
More than a movie night, Reel Queers serves as a low-barrier social program that reduces isolation and strengthens community belonging. Each screening encourages participants to engage in facilitated discussions, share perspectives, and build relationships in an inclusive, substance free environment. The program welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity with queer film, creating opportunities for learning, reflection, and friendship.
This Week’s Film: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Rainbow Flow 🧘
Location: Centretown Community Health Centre (420 Cooper St)
A 90 minute yoga class focused on a holistic practice including movement, meditation, and breath work. Incorporating accessible shapes and flows, that may be adjusted to suit all levels of practice. No previous yoga experience will be required, nor any base level of flexibility. Each class is run with the goal to help participants leave with a sense of ease of self, and tools to return to that sense on or off the mat. The class makes room to explore the other limbs of yoga beyond just asana, practicing wellness instead of fitness.
Stay tuned for details on the next class!
Want to help with programming?
We’re always looking for new programming ideas, whether it’s a book club, cooking class, discussion group, or any other idea you have to gather and help improve the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of our community members.
Reach out to our Health Services Coordinator Mat L'heureux to learn more about running a program at GayZone (M.lheureux@maxottawa.ca)
Commonly Asked Questions
Who is GayZone for?
Historically, GayZone was created for gay, bi, and queer men who have sex with men (MSM) to have a dedicated space to access resources related to their sexual, physical, and mental health. Since the launch of the program in 2008, MAX has expanded its audience to include non-binary and trans people.
While we as an organization provide services to a wide demographic, the resources at GayZone remain tailored to that initial audience with an exception for trans and non-binary people who engage in sexual activity with gay, bi, and queer men. Regardless, we’ll never turn anyone away who shows up, and will always work to guide them towards the services and resources that are right for them.
Is this a relaunch? I thought GayZone stopped during COVID?
Since the pandemic, GayZone has operated at a reduced capacity out of the Sexual Health Clinic on Clarence St. With this expansion, we’re working to return GayZone to its previous form as well as expand it to serve the unique needs of our community at this time.
In the coming months, GayZone will continue to expand its programming and discover new ways to bring the community together. If you’ve got an idea for a club, class, or activity that you think might fit, we’d love to hear from you.
Why is it called GayZone? That doesn’t sound very inclusive…
In our line of work, we often use imperfect shorthand for the sake of getting our message across. GayZone came about in a very different cultural and political climate, and we acknowledge that today the name can feel exclusionary to bi, queer, non-binary, and trans audiences.
We’re working with community members to find a compromise, and to hopefully develop a more inclusive name for the program. In the meantime, our priority is to provide these services to our community as we work on rebranding.