Our mandate: defending the rights of LGBT people in Quebec

The Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec

Founded in 1992, the Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec (CGLQ) is a Quebec-wide rights advocacy organization incorporated under Part III of Quebec's Companies Act (non-profit organization). Its mission is to defend, promote, and represent the rights of LGBT communities and people in Quebec, whom it represents before the UN ECOSOC.

It is made up of individual and organizational members. Any person or organization that shares the values of equality and respect for diversity may join the CGLQ.

The CGLQ bases its work on respect for Section 10 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These two fundamental texts guarantee the equality of all people, without distinction or exclusion based on sexual orientation.

Whenever possible, the CGLQ is involved in all national issues concerning the current realities and challenges faced by LGBT people. It does so by holding government authorities accountable and by offering public conference series, information sessions, and training sessions for groups and professionals. It also maintains a presence in various media.

To promote the rights of LGBT people, the CGLQ organizes, participates in, and contributes to awareness campaigns on homosexuality, homophobia, and the rights of these people in Quebec and Canada. For the CGLQ, it is important that the public and all those concerned clearly understand the realities they experience, as well as their rights and demands, in order to put an end to homophobia—social, individual, and community-based—and to the strategies of exclusion, intimidation, and rejection of which far too many people are still victims.

In 2026, despite the considerable legislative progress of recent decades, systemic discrimination persists in new forms: cyberbullying, violence against trans and non-binary people, and bias in access to employment and services. More than ever, the CGLQ remains an essential advocate for the rights of LGBT people in Quebec.

An international presence

The CGLQ has been active on the international stage for many years. Its reach extends far beyond Quebec's borders, enabling it to give Quebec's LGBT people a voice in global institutions.

It is a member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and Amnesty International. It is a founding member of the Espace Francophone des gais et des lesbiennes, created at the ILGA World Conference in Rome, a unique initiative aimed at bringing together French-speaking LGBT organizations from around the world.

It participates in international forums, where it presents conferences and workshops on the various realities that specifically affect LGBT people in Quebec, sharing Quebec expertise with countries striving for equality.

Through its accreditation with ECOSOC, the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (UN), the CGLQ ensures Quebec's presence on the international stage. It is the one and only Quebec organization to hold this privilege.

On July 24, 2007, the UN granted the CGLQ global observer status regarding the realities and issues experienced by LGBT people—lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and all transgender people. This status enables it to report discrimination, violence, and inequality affecting LGBT people to other major international institutions.

In 2026, the CGLQ continues its international advocacy by contributing to periodic UN human rights reports, participating in global forums on equality, and denouncing the persecution of LGBT people around the world. Its expertise is recognized in Quebec, Canada, and internationally.

Concrete actions

The CGLQ works on multiple fronts to improve the daily lives of LGBT people in Quebec. The organization's main areas of action are:

• Political advocacy – Advocacy with political and social leaders on all matters affecting LGBT people, including participation in legislative proceedings and the preparation of policy briefs
• Conferences and workshops – Public conference series, information sessions, and training sessions for groups and professionals
• Specialized training – Training workshops for schools, professional associations, police forces, and community groups to demystify LGBT realities
• Media presence – Regular presence in regional, national, and international media to inform the public about LGBT issues
• Information and awareness campaigns – Organizing and contributing to campaigns aimed at ending all forms of discrimination, intimidation, and homophobia
• Rights advocacy – Defending rights in general or in specific cases of discrimination
• Legal information – Informing LGBT people about their legal rights and guiding them through the steps to take in cases of discrimination
• Referrals – Referring LGBT people to other organizations according to their specific needs
• International representation – Reporting Quebec and Canadian LGBT issues to the UN ECOSOC and international forums

LGBT+ rights in Quebec: a progressive legal framework

Quebec is recognized worldwide as one of the most advanced societies in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. This progressive legal framework forms the foundation of the CGLQ's work and serves as a model that the organization promotes internationally through its status with the UN ECOSOC.

As early as 1977, Quebec became the first Canadian province to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination in its Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. This pioneering provision laid the foundation for a legal framework that has continued to strengthen over the decades. Section 10 of the Quebec Charter thus guarantees equality for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Bill 32, passed in 1999, marked a decisive step forward by granting same-sex partners the same rights and obligations as heterosexual partners in more than 40 Quebec laws, notably in family, tax, social, and inheritance law. The CGLQ actively participated in the preparatory work for this historic legislation. Subsequently, same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada in 2005, making it the fourth country in the world to recognize such unions. Quebec, through its Court of Appeal, had already declared same-sex marriage constitutional in 2004.

As a leading Quebec LGBT organization, the CGLQ works to ensure that this legal framework is respected and applied in practice. In 2026, despite these strong legal protections, challenges persist. Systemic discrimination particularly affects trans and non-binary people in access to health care and employment. Homophobia and transphobia in schools remain a concern, with high rates of cyberbullying targeting LGBTQ+ youth. The Quebec government's Action Plan Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which is renewed regularly, demonstrates the need for continued vigilance.

The CGLQ works with numerous LGBT organizations in Quebec to ensure the full implementation of these rights. To learn more, read our detailed article on LGBT rights in Quebec.