CGLQ Home – LGBT Rights and Equality in Quebec

Our vision

The CGLQ works to foster harmonious coexistence and contributes to a society moving toward greater social and legal equality for sexually diverse people, in accordance with the Conventions on human and children's rights.

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

With a team of dedicated volunteers, the CGLQ works to pursue training, information, and awareness programs concerning the realities experienced by lesbians and gay men in Quebec. It also works in partnership with ILGA to mobilize and promote Quebec, Canadian, and international studies on LGBT realities within the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Our mission and history

Foundation and early struggles (1992-2006)

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

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

Renewal and international outreach (2006-2026)

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

Thanks to the work of persistent individuals, 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, Canada, and internationally.

Key achievements

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

• Preparatory work for Bill 32 on the recognition of sexual minority rights
• Collaboration on the recognition of same-sex partners
• Participation in Canadian Senate hearings on Bill C-23
• Intervention in the civil marriage case involving same-sex partners
• Obtaining NGO status with the United Nations ECOSOC
• Creation of ILGA's French-speaking network
• Training of 800 members of Quebec City's police forces
• Bringing the 24^th ILGA World Conference to Quebec City (2008)

Our concrete actions

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

• Participation in events – conferences, consultations, debates, and interviews concerning the realities and issues experienced by LGBT people
• Political advocacy – with political and social leaders on all matters affecting LGBT people
• Rights advocacy – generally or in specific cases of discrimination
• Public awareness – to reduce and put an end to all forms of discrimination (including bullying and community-based homophobia)
• Legal information – informing LGBT people of their legal rights
• Guidance and support – guiding LGBT people through the steps they need to take in cases of discrimination
• Referrals – directing LGBT people to other organizations according to their needs

Our programs

2026 context

In 2026, the CGLQ's commitment is more necessary than ever. Despite the legislative advances of recent decades, LGBT people 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 take action on equality issues, particularly regarding the rights of trans and non-binary people, the fight against homophobic cyberbullying, and the promotion of inclusion across all sectors of Quebec society.

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