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History of the CGLQ Board of Directors

In brief: Since its founding in 1992, the CGLQ has played a major role in defending LGBT rights in Quebec and internationally. This history traces the organization's major achievements: its legislative contributions, advocacy work, international representation, training programs, and attainment of NGO status with the United Nations ECOSOC.

A man and a woman consulting archive binders and old photographs
A look back at the Board's achievements since the CGLQ was founded in 1992.

Defending equality

One of the main objectives of the Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec's mandate was to turn the word “equality” from a utopian ideal into a reality. In this regard, a major milestone has been reached in recent years, and the CGLQ has played a major role in the following achievements:

  • Preparatory work for Bill 32;
  • Collaboration with various government stakeholders on the recognition of same-sex partners (Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Régie des rentes du Québec);
  • Participation in Canadian Senate hearings — Bill C-23;
  • Involvement in the issue of civil marriage between same-sex partners (Canada and the United States);
  • Interventions in several cases involving discrimination and bullying;
  • Participation in the National Forum on Immigration and Citizenship (presentation of discussion workshops and preparation of a brief by the CGLQ Executive Council).

Promoting rights

Although issues concerning homosexuality have regularly made headlines in recent years and laws have been passed, this is still not enough. Given the nature of the system, certain gaps remain, and we must promote full equity.

Advocacy work also includes conducting a public information campaign to explain the differences between the various types of unions. To this end, the Coalition has delivered several talks and information sessions to a wide variety of audiences directly or indirectly affected by the cause.

We consider it equally important to support and encourage LGBT culture among the public, as well as the representation of homosexuality by broadcasters. They can prove to be powerful allies when it comes to fighting prejudice. Let us not forget that homophobia results from ignorance.

Promoting also means supporting the work of our partners and motivating and equipping associations, groups, and organizations in their efforts to combat discrimination and take concrete action to achieve this goal.

Delegates attending an international conference in a large meeting hall
The CGLQ took part in ILGA world conferences and in United Nations forums.

International representation

The Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec works closely with various groups emerging from the LGBT community throughout Quebec. Consultation makes it possible to take positions on various issues and move forward.

The Coalition is often approached by various regional, national, and international media outlets regarding topics related to homosexuality and homophobia. As a former board member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), the CGLQ has shared its Quebec expertise with other countries seeking equality, as part of its consultative status with the UN / ECOSOC.

Major international events

  • 1999 — International conference at King's College London: presentation of the Quebec model for human rights and recognition of minority rights (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 International Network of Gay and Lesbian Officials conference in Phoenix;
  • Participation in various ILGA world conferences in South Africa, the United States, Italy, and Switzerland;
  • Creation of ILGA's Francophone network at the World Conference in Rome;
  • 2006 — Presentation of training workshops as part of the Montreal OutGames;
  • 2008 — Awarding of the 24th ILGA World Conference to Quebec City;
  • Attainment of NGO status with the United Nations ECOSOC.

Training and awareness

Homophobia often results from ignorance. This is why the CGLQ developed various specialized training workshops for target groups to demystify homosexuality and highlight the issues LGBT people experience daily. The atmosphere encourages questions that would probably not have been asked in another setting.

The CGLQ offers training to any group that requests it: college and university groups, professional associations, police forces, and community groups.

Police training

The years 2005 and 2006 were marked by a major training initiative for all members of the Quebec City police force. In total, approximately 800 people received this training in small groups of 8 to 10 people. The success of these sessions led to an invitation to the annual police convention to present the model to other Quebec municipalities.

An awareness workshop in a small group, participants seated in a circle
Training workshops take place in small groups, which encourages questions.

ILGA 2008 Conference

The CGLQ had been entrusted with organizing the 24th ILGA World Conference in Quebec City. The objective was to bring together the various North American LGBT organizations and associations to create an ILGA North American federation.

Unfortunately, a decision by the co-secretaries general of ILGA World to dissociate themselves from the CGLQ and the organizing committee on March 10, 2008, resulted in the conference being moved to Vienna, Austria, in November 2008.

This historical document provides an overview of the achievements of the Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec. A complete list of the organization's initiatives is beyond the scope of this presentation. The CGLQ remains available to provide further information and hopes that the pursuit of equality will be among your interests. To learn more about the organization's mandate and its board of directors, visit the dedicated pages.

The legislative context of the 2000s in Quebec and Canada

The actions described above took place during a period of transformation in family law and in the recognition of same-sex couples. A few milestones help place this work:

  • June 2000: adoption in Quebec of Bill 32, which recognizes same-sex spouses by granting them rights and obligations in many laws;
  • June 24, 2002: entry into force of civil unions, open to same-sex and different-sex couples alike;
  • July 20, 2005: royal assent to the Civil Marriage Act, which opens civil marriage to same-sex couples across Canada.

These stages explain the place the CGLQ gives, in its history, to Bill 32, to the recognition of same-sex spouses and to civil marriage. For the full chronology, see Equal marriage in Quebec: chronology of a historic victory; for the current legal framework, LGBT+ rights in Quebec.

These milestones remind us that an enacted law is not enough on its own: as the "Promoting rights" section indicates, public information, training of professionals and support for associations remain necessary for the equality written into the texts to become lived equality. It is in this spirit that the CGLQ multiplied conferences, information sessions and workshops for very varied audiences, from school groups to police forces.

At the international level, consultative status with ECOSOC, mentioned in the previous section, is governed by Council resolution 1996/31, which distinguishes three categories of status: general, special and roster. The ECOSOC history page and the July 2008 press release detail the CGLQ's process and its context.

The 2007-2008 transition

The board's history also includes a difficult period. According to the message from President Johanne H. Gaudreault, the departure of the Executive Director on September 1, 2007, the collective resignation of several board members and the end of funding from the organization's main funder, SACAIS, destabilized the CGLQ. The board was renewed, one of its members was sent to represent the organization at the UN and at the 24th ILGA World Conference in Vienna, and a general assembly was announced for October 9, 2008. The full text is available in the message from the President.

Explore the Board of Directors section

Frequently asked questions

When did the CGLQ obtain its status with UN ECOSOC?

The CGLQ worked for several years to obtain NGO status with ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council). This status makes it the only Quebec LGBT NGO with observer status at the UN.

What role did the CGLQ play in the passage of Bill 32?

The CGLQ participated in the preparatory work for Bill 32 in Quebec and collaborated with government stakeholders on the recognition of same-sex partners. It also presented the Quebec model at international conferences.

What happened to the 2008 ILGA conference in Quebec City?

The 24th ILGA World Conference, initially scheduled to take place in Quebec City from May 14 to 20, 2008, was moved to Vienna, Austria, in November 2008, following a decision by the co-secretaries general of ILGA World to dissociate themselves from the organizing committee on March 10, 2008.

How many people received the CGLQ's police training?

Approximately 800 people received the training given to all members of the Quebec City police force in 2005 and 2006. The sessions were held in small groups of 8 to 10 people. Their success led to an invitation to the annual police convention, where the model was presented to other Quebec municipalities.

In which international events did the CGLQ take part?

The CGLQ took part in a 1999 conference at King's College London, the 2000 United Nations Millennium Forum in New York, and the 2000 Creating Change conference in Atlanta. It also attended ILGA world conferences, helped create ILGA's Francophone network in Rome, and presented training workshops at the 2006 Montreal OutGames.