The 519’s Glitterbug 2SLGBTQ+ EarlyON mobile program helps families build community and belonging.
A Place to Be Proudly Seen
Parenting is a joyful journey, but it can also feel overwhelming and isolating. Many 2SLGBTQ+ families entering new spaces wonder: Will we be welcomed? This question inspired Glitterbug, Toronto’s only free 2SLGBTQ+ EarlyON mobile program offered by The 519.
The 519, Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre, has supported Two-spirit, queer, and trans communities since 1976. Its EarlyON Child and Family Centre launched Glitterbug in 2019 in response to the exclusion many 2SLGBTQ+ families face in early childhood education settings.
While EarlyON centres provide valuable services for families with young children, 2SLGBTQ+ representation is often limited, says Madison Henry, 2SLGBTQ+ EarlyON Coordinator at The 519.
“At Glitterbug, we say inclusion starts before you walk into the room. It’s reflected in the walls, toys, language, songs, and stories,” she says. “Small but meaningful changes such as reading books that celebrate diverse family structures help children see themselves and their families represented.”
Building Belonging One EarlyON Centre at a Time
Madison works with EarlyON centres across Toronto to promote inclusion and affirm gender and sexual diversity among families. In its first year alone, Glitterbug visited more than 132 EarlyON centres.
In 2024, the program shifted its approach, spending more time at fewer sites to build stronger relationships and provide support tailored to each centre’s needs. Since then, Glitterbug has completed more than 50 site visits and reached 1,300+ participants.
Sean and Alex discovered Glitterbug through West Neighbourhood House after becoming parents through adoption.
Becoming new parents came with many emotions, including excitement and uncertainty. We wanted a place where we felt safe to ask questions and share our experiences. Glitterbug offered that from day one.
Sean, Glitterbug participant
It’s truly more than just a program. Glitterbug builds community and equips educators with the confidence, language, and tools they need to create welcoming spaces for everyone.
Creating Lasting Impact
Glitterbug is as much for adults as it is for little ones. The program creates space for conversations about parenting, adoption, family building, and supporting children as they grow. “While we engage with our children during the sessions, we also get to connect with other parents and caregivers over shared experiences and challenges,” says Sean. These conversations help families learn from one another and discover resources they may not otherwise access.
Looking ahead, Glitterbug aims to create lasting change within EarlyON centres. “The goal is not to simply deliver programming, but to empower centres to continue supporting 2SLGBTQ+ families long after the partnership ends,” says Madison.
Born from a shared community need for belonging, Glitterbug is creating spaces where 2SLGBTQ+ families can connect, find support, and be celebrated every day. As Madison says, “It truly takes a village to raise a child, and that’s exactly what Glitterbug is building.”
Glitterbug is a free program offered to 2SLGBTQ+ parents and caregivers and families with gender-diverse kids 0 to 6 years.