History
History - Diversité 02
History
The Association des gais et des lesbiennes du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, founded in 1998, was born out of the community’s need for a space to combat the isolation experienced by individuals with homosexual and bisexual orientations. A general assembly was held and a three-member board of directors was established. Shortly after, the AGL obtained its letters patent and expanded to include seven board members.
With the active participation of a team of volunteers, the organization offered community activities in Saint-Bruno for several years. As the volunteer base grew, it became possible to form a support group for homosexual and bisexual individuals in 2009.
At the same time, the group observed homophobic behaviours in various settings and adopted objectives aimed at defending and promoting the interests and rights of its members.
In 2015, to better reflect the full range of realities experienced by people who identify with sexual diversity and gender plurality, the organization became AGL-LGBT. The demystification of gender identities was added to its work around sexual orientation. This led to the formation of the first support group for trans and non-binary individuals in 2017.
Since 2018, the association has initiated the annual raising of the rainbow flag in front of municipal buildings throughout the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. This action earned them a finalist spot in the “Best Project” category at the 2019 Gala Arc-en-ciel, which recognizes outstanding contributions by LGBTQ+ community organizations.
The year 2019 marked a major milestone for the organization as it celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean acknowledged the organization’s work and granted it its first funding through the Programme de soutien aux organismes communautaires (PSOC). This new funding model made it possible to hire the first executive management team.
That same year, AGL-LGBT launched the project “Pour que vieillir soit gai – Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean” (So Aging Can Be Joyful – Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean) in collaboration with Fondation Émergence, funded by Quebec’s Ministry of Justice.
In 2020, AGL-LGBT turned a page in its history and became Diversité 02. Members restructured the organization’s mission to ensure that its services aligned with the evolving needs of LGBTQI2SA+ communities across the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
Today, Diversité 02 is working to build a more inclusive world—free from homophobia, transphobia, heteronormativity and cisnormativity—where all individuals who identify with sexual diversity and the plurality of gender identities and expressions are valued.