Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec (CGLQ)

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Our vision

The CGLQ works toward better living together and contributes to a society geared toward greater social and legal equality for people of sexual diversity, in accordance with the Conventions on human rights and the rights of the child.

We deploy all our resources to eradicate every form of discrimination, violence or inequality linked, directly or indirectly, to sexual orientation and, in so doing, to fight and reduce homophobia in Quebec, in Canada and around the world.

In 2026, our commitment is needed more than ever. Despite the legislative progress of recent decades, LGBT people continue to face significant challenges: systemic discrimination, violence, inequalities in access to services, and the persistence of homophobia in some settings. The CGLQ remains an essential voice for these communities.

Quebec is internationally recognized as one of the most progressive societies when it comes to LGBT+ rights. From the addition of sexual orientation to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in 1977 to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2005, Quebec has paved the way toward equality. The CGLQ has been a central player in these advances, contributing in particular to the preparatory work for Bill 32 and to the recognition of same-sex partners.

Today, our work extends well beyond Quebec's borders. As the only Quebec LGBT NGO accredited with the United Nations ECOSOC, the CGLQ carries the voice of LGBT people in Quebec and Canada onto the international stage. We document and report violations of fundamental rights in countries where homosexuality is still criminalized, and we share Quebec expertise with the international community.

At the heart of our mission are training and awareness. Our workshops and conferences have trained hundreds of professionals — police officers, teachers, community workers — to better understand the realities of LGBT people. Because we know that homophobia still too often results from ignorance, and education remains our best weapon.

The network of LGBT+ organizations in Quebec — of which the CGLQ is a pillar — is an essential safety net for people in vulnerable situations. From helplines to school interventions, from legal services to community spaces, this network reflects the solidarity that drives the Quebec LGBT community.

Our mission and history

Foundation and first struggles (1992-2006)

The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Quebec is a Quebec national rights advocacy organization, incorporated under Part III of the Quebec Companies Act (non-profit organization). Founded in 1992, our organization's mandate is to defend, promote and represent the rights of LGBT communities and individuals in Quebec.

During this founding period, the CGLQ played a decisive role in the evolution of LGBT rights in Quebec, contributing to major legislative advances such as Bill 32 and the recognition of same-sex partners.

Renewal and international influence (2006-2026)

The CGLQ established a new board of directors, made up mainly of LGBT organizations from Canada. With a team of dedicated volunteers, it works to continue training and information programs and to demystify the realities experienced by lesbians and gay men in Quebec.

Thanks to the work of persevering people, the CGLQ has remained for several years the only Quebec observer of LGBT realities and issues in Quebec and Canada for the UN ECOSOC.

The privilege of its UN accreditation allows it to report discrimination, violence and inequalities affecting LGBT people to other major international institutions. The expertise of researchers and practitioners associated with the CGLQ is recognized in Quebec, in Canada and internationally.

It contributes to the development of new tools for prevention, awareness-raising and the fight against homophobia and LGBT-phobias. The CGLQ works with several organizations, including the CReACC-DiversitéS (Centre de recherches et d'activités culturelles et communautaires sur les diversités) and has the support of the IRQR (Iranian Railroad Queer Refugees).

Our concrete actions

The CGLQ acts on multiple fronts to improve the daily lives of LGBT people in Quebec:

• Participation in events – conferences, consultations, debates and interviews addressing the realities and issues experienced by LGBT people
• Political interventions – with political and social leaders on everything that affects LGBT people
• Rights advocacy – in general or in specific cases of discrimination
• Public awareness – to reduce and put an end to every form of discrimination (including community bullying and homophobia)
• Legal information – informing LGBT people of their legal rights
• Guidance and support – guiding LGBT people through the steps to take in cases of discrimination
• Referral – directing LGBT people to other organizations according to their needs

Defending equality

One of the CGLQ's main objectives has always been to move the word “equality” from utopia to reality. A major step has been taken over the past decades, and the CGLQ played a major role in the following achievements:

• Preparatory work for Bill 32
• Collaboration with various government stakeholders on the file of the recognition of same-sex partners (Ministère de la solidarité sociale and Régie des rentes du Québec)
• Attendance at Canadian Senate hearings – Bill C-23
• Intervention in the file on civil marriage between same-sex partners (Canada and the United States)
• Interventions in several discrimination and bullying cases
• Participation in the National Forum on Immigration and Citizenship (presentation of workshops and production of a brief)

In 2026, the CGLQ continues to monitor and intervene on equality issues, notably regarding systemic discrimination, the rights of trans and non-binary people, and the fight against homophobic cyberbullying.

Promoting rights

Although issues of homophobia and homosexuality have regularly made the headlines and laws have been passed, this is not enough to guarantee social equality despite greater legal equality. Society being what it is, certain gaps and problems remain.

Our work also consists of updating information campaigns for LGBT people in order to inform them of the differences between the various types of unions in relation to the social majority. The Coalition has given conferences, information sessions and specialized training to very diverse audiences.

We consider it important to support and encourage LGBT culture and creation among the population, as well as to represent homosexuality through broadcasters. They can prove to be powerful allies in the fight against prejudice. Let us not forget that homophobia still often results from ignorance.

Promoting also means supporting the actions of our partners, motivating and equipping the associations, groups and organizations engaged in the collective fight against discrimination.

Representing on the international stage

The CGLQ works in close collaboration with various groups emerging from LGBT communities throughout Quebec and Canada. This coordination makes it possible to take a position on various current issues and to move forward.

The Coalition is often approached by regional, national and international media on various subjects related to homosexuality and homophobia. As a former member of the board of directors of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), the CGLQ has shared its Quebec expertise with other countries in pursuit of equality.

For years, the Coalition has taken part in numerous major international events:

• 1999 – International conference at King's College London on minority rights (presentation of the Quebec model and Bill 32)
• 2000 – United Nations Millennium Forum in New York (inclusion of discrimination based on sexual orientation in the NGO declaration)
• 2000 – “Creating Change” conference in Atlanta and conference of the International Network of Gay and Lesbian Officials in Phoenix
• 2006 – Workshops as part of the Montreal OutGames
• 2008 – Winning the 24^th ILGA World Conference for Quebec City
• 2014 – Peoples' Social Forum in Ottawa (workshops on aging, diversity, and anti-sexist and anti-racist education)
• Obtaining NGO status at the ECOSOC of the United Nations
• Creation of the ILGA Francophone space at the World Conference in Rome
• Regular participation in ILGA world conferences (South Africa, United States, Italy, Switzerland)

Training and awareness

Specialized workshops

We know that homophobia often results from ignorance. That is why we have developed various specialized training workshops offered to targeted groups in order to demystify homosexuality and highlight the issues LGBT people face every day.

The atmosphere and format encourage questions that probably could not have been asked in another setting. We offer training to all groups that request it: college and university student groups, professional associations, police forces and community groups.

Police forces training

The years 2005 and 2006 were particularly marked by a major training program delivered to all members of the Quebec City police forces. In total, about 800 people benefited from this training in small groups of 8 to 10 people.

The success of these meetings led to an invitation to the annual Police Forces Congress to present the model to other Quebec municipalities. This pioneering program demonstrates the concrete impact of the CGLQ in transforming mindsets within institutions.

Our programs

Our articles and publications

Discover our in-depth reports on the rights of LGBT+ people in Quebec, in Canada and around the world. These articles are written from a perspective of human rights advocacy and awareness-raising.