The Coalition

Mission

Contribute to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in Abitibi-Témiscaminge

Objectives

• Promote the adaptation of psychosocial support services, educational services and health services to improve their quality and access.
• Elaborate local programs to reduce homophobia, transphobia and heteronormativity.
• Break the isolation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

Historic

In June 2003, a dozen people from the LGBT community as well as allies from community settings meet for the first time to discuss about the reality in Abitibi-Temiscamingue. They notice the presence of homophobic behavior adopted by different people in different environments. The group also notes the psychological distress experienced by LGBT people, especially the youth and the elderly, as well as the lack of resources in the region.

In December 2003, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Coalition of Abitibi-Temiscamingue was created. Members establish the mission and the objectives of the organization.

As early as June 2004, the Coalition established a first partnership with the Rainbow Health Coalition. This partnership allows the hiring of a project officer with a view to carrying out actions responding to the needs of LGBT people. Still in June 2004, the first regional conference of the coalition is held under the theme: “From hope to openness”.

Since 2004, the Coalition conducted six conferences. The most recent, under the theme “Here I have my place!”, reveals the work accomplished over the past few years to ensure that the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region is inclusive to sexual diversity.

Always concern to be inclusive of the realities experienced by the community, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Coalition of Abitibi-Temiscamingue undertakes consultation procedures with its members to change the name of the organization. In May 2016, the Sexual Diversity Coalition of Abitibi-Temiscamingue obtained its letters patent. With our long history and proud of our accomplishments we pursue our mission throughout the region!

Members