I had mixed opinions the first time I visited Winnipeg. I know it isn’t exactly known to have a large trans community but I was still pleasantly surprised.
It’s an underrated city that offers a ton of ways to meet trans individuals.
Aside from some cool nightlife spots the city has an awesome LGBT community center and a thriving online dating scene.
In this guide, we’ll explore all of that and more.
So buckle up as I take you through the best ways to connect with trans people in Winnipeg.
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Winnipeg
1. Bars and Clubs
Winnipeg may not be everyone’s first pick for LGBTQ+ nightlife, but it still offers some great options.
But the thing is, there’s no defined area to meet trans people. The bars and clubs are spread out, so here’s a list to get you started.
Club 200 at 190 Garry St – A must-visit for Winnipeg’s LGBTQ+ crowd.
They throw awesome dance parties and showcase local drag talent, making it a hotspot to mingle with trans folks.
I had a blast there; most of the crowd was young, under 35, and super open-minded.
The Good Will Social Club at 625 Portage Ave – This is the best place to make trans friends.
They always draw a large LGBT+ crowd and aside from weekly karaoke, they also host fun Queer Bingo nights.
Fame Nightclub at 110 Market Ave – This place left me with mixed feelings.
They charge a $10 cover fee at the entrance, which is fine, but I found the staff lacking professionalism and were often rude.
Despite this, I had the opportunity to meet some talented go-go dancers and engage with fun queer individuals, which somewhat redeemed the experience.
Club Happenings at 114b Osborne St – The folks at the door were very welcoming, and the drinks were spot-on.
And as you can see in the video, the majority of the attendees are queer and very friendly…
2. Community Centers and Organizations
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Rainbow Resource Center.
It’s a hub for meeting queer and transgender individuals and accessing support.
They host community events and social groups for people of all ages, offering a welcoming space to connect.
And another organization that I don’t see many people talking about is Out There Winnipeg.
It’s a sports and recreation community for LGBT+ folks and allies to socialize and have fun together.
Lastly, Klinic is one of the most popular facilities for gender-affirming care in Winnipeg.
Even though it isn’t exactly a place to socialize, you can drop by there during the day and will likely bump into trans people.
3. Trans Dating Sites
Winnipeg surprisingly has an active community of trans people online.
You can find them on most dating platforms but it also depends on the type of arrangement you’re seeking.
I personally prefer OkCupid for building connections with TGs and open-minded cis folks.
If casual relationships are more your thing, check out Grindr – it also has a solid mix of gay and trans members.
And for the bold, WinnipegGoneWild on Reddit is your wild card.
It’s all about hookups and it’s not just for cis individuals. You can find trans people there as well. Just try posting and specify what you want.
4. Online Groups and Pages
Your options for connecting with trans people through social media are kind of limited.
The only group I found is The Trans Feminine Circle but it’s kind of exclusive and tough to crack into.
Other than that is the Trans Manitoba Facebook page, where you can catch updates on upcoming LGBT+ events.
I’d also suggest checking out Meetup. You can find some queer-centered events and groups there that might be worth looking into.
5. Other LGBT+ Spaces
Winnipeg has many other inclusive spots and if you’re into working out then try going to Fukomoto Fitness.
It’s a trans friendly gym with some very knowledgeable trainers and some of them identify as LGBTQ.
Alternatively, if you want to just chill then I’ve found most brewery taprooms to have a chill environment.
My favorite place is Nonsuch Brewing Co as I’ve bumped into many queer people there.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Winnipeg
Being transgender in Winnipeg is actually pretty awesome.
Access to healthcare is a breeze, and the community here feels like one big family rather than a separate group.
While we’ve lost some LGBTQ+ spaces over the years, there are still plenty of community-driven events and groups.
There’s a lot of political engagement and activism if that’s your thing, but no pressure if it’s not.
Winnipeggers, in general, are a friendly bunch, and that extends to the LGBTQ+ community.
Making friends here is easy; just introduce yourself as new, and folks will start introducing you around.
It’s a tight-knit city, and that closeness makes for some memorable experiences.
While Winnipeg isn’t perfect, it’s pretty LGBTQ+ friendly, and many of my friends, be it trans, gay, bi, lesbian, or enby, all feel happy and accepted here.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Winnipeg
Winnipeg’s trans community may not be the largest, but no doubt that it’s pretty active.
Making trans friends won’t take long if you put yourself out there. My personal recommendation is to visit the bars and clubs.
Even if you’re introverted, it won’t take long for you to blend in and make connections because everyone is so friendly.
But of course, the other methods shared in this guide also work pretty well, it’s all about what suits you the best.
So that’s all from my side. I hope you enjoy meeting trans men and women in Winnipeg!
