CGLQ Home – LGBT Rights and Equality in Quebec

Our vision

The CGLQ works towards better coexistence and contributes to a society oriented towards greater social and legal equality for persons of sexual diversity, in accordance with the Conventions on human rights and children’s rights.

We deploy all our resources to eradicate all forms of discrimination, violence or inequality related to sexual orientation and, thereby, to fight against and reduce homophobia in Quebec, Canada and around the world.

With a team of dedicated volunteers, the CGLQ pursues programs of training, information and demystification of the realities experienced by lesbians and gays in Quebec. It also works in concert with ILGA to mobilize and promote Quebec, Canadian and international studies of LGBT realities to the economic and social sector of the United Nations.

Our mission and history

Foundation and early battles (1992-2006)

The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Quebec is a Quebec-wide rights defence organization, incorporated under Part III of Quebec’s Companies Act (non-profit organization). Founded in 1992, our organization has the mandate 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 reach (2006-2026)

The CGLQ acquired a new board of directors, composed primarily of LGBT organizations from across Canada. With a team of dedicated volunteers, it continues to pursue programs of training, information and demystification of the realities experienced by lesbians and gays in Quebec.

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

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

Key achievements

Over more than three decades of commitment, the CGLQ has contributed to major advances for LGBT rights in Quebec and Canada:

• Preparatory work for Bill 32 on the recognition of sexual minority rights
• Collaboration in the recognition of same-sex partners file
• Presence at Canadian Senate hearings on Bill C-23
• Intervention in the civil marriage file for same-sex partners
• Obtaining NGO status with ECOSOC of the United Nations
• Creation of the ILGA Francophone space
• Training of 800 members of the Quebec City police forces
• Obtaining the 24^th ILGA World Conference for Quebec City (2008)

Our concrete actions

The CGLQ intervenes on multiple fronts to improve the daily lives of LGBT persons in Quebec:

• Participation in events – conferences, consultations, debates and interviews on LGBT realities and issues
• Political interventions – with political and social leaders on all matters affecting LGBT persons
• Rights defence – in general or in specific cases of discrimination
• Public awareness – to reduce and end all forms of discrimination
• Legal information – informing LGBT persons of their legal rights
• Guidance and support – guiding LGBT persons in their steps in cases of discrimination
• Referrals – referring LGBT persons to other organizations according to their needs

Our programs

Context 2026

In 2026, the CGLQ’s commitment is more necessary than ever. Despite the legislative advances of recent decades, LGBT persons continue to face significant challenges: systemic discrimination, violence, inequalities in access to services, and the persistence of homophobia in certain environments.

The CGLQ continues to monitor and intervene on equality issues, including the rights of transgender and non-binary persons, the fight against homophobic cyberbullying, and the promotion of inclusion in all sectors of Quebec society.

The Coalition contributes to the development of new prevention, awareness and anti-homophobia tools. It works with several organizations, including the CReACC-DiversityS and has the support of the IRQR (Iranian Railroad Queer Refugees).