À propos - Divers-Gens

About

Working with the MRCs of Haute-Yamaska and Brome-Missisquoi community for more than 15 years, Divers-Gens is an action based organization and a support network for 2SLGBPTQIA+ youth and their families. Through educational, preventive and awareness activities, the organization wishes to be able to offer its support to any person or group who feels the need.

Grâce à la mise en place d’objectifs clairs et à notre charte de valeurs, nous regardons touste dans la même direction.

Our goals

Educate, raise awareness, inform & demystify the realities and experiences of 2SLGBPTQIA+ folks (two-spirited, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, trans, queer, intersex, aromantic, gender, asexual and more) and questioning educators, youth, parents and workers.

Equip educators, social workers and youth by offering them training or awareness workshops on issues related to homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and also none-heterosexual and none-cisgender people rights.

Fight against prejudice towards 2SLGBPTQIA+ and questioning youth, through visibility and awareness actions with the general population.

Offer the necessary resources to parents who have questions about their child's sexual orientation & gender identity, or who wish to support their child throughout their self discovery path.

Develop group and individual services, such as direct & indirect support, workshops and awareness for 2SLGBPTQIA+ and questioning youth as well as for the community as a whole.

Inform and support 2SLGBPTQIA+ and questioning youth by offering resources about sexual and gender identity.

Support 2SLGBPTQIA+ and questioning youth and their loved ones through group and individual meetings, phone & text discussions and informative resources.

Mobilize community, government, school and institutional environments against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Inform them on bette practices to counteract acts of discrimination.

Respect

For us, respect is fundamental. Each established boundary must be taken into consideration without judgment. We act with respect towards all our members. This value also means accepting opinions, openmindness and being free from any form of discrimination.

equity

All of our members have equal rights. Regardless of appearance, gender or sexual orientation, everyone is entitled to the same treatment and services without discrimination. No one should be favored over another. A sustained effort must be put in place for people affected by systemic discrimination which implies a loss of equal opportunities.

Justice

At Divers-Gens, everyone is entitled to their integrity and to be treated fairly and impartially. We promote equal opportunity for all. It is essential to recognize and respect the forces of each member in order to develop collective solidarity. Justice is also a way that everyone can feel protected.

None-violence

No form of violence, physical or verbal, is tolerated towards anyone. This is valid anytime and anywhere (in person, by phone and on social media). Each member must move forward in a healthy environment free from aggression. We are committed to providing you with a safeplace and services.

Intersectionality

Divers-Gens recognizes the intersectionality of struggles and discrimination. A person does not necessarily experience a single discrimination at one time, that a person can experience several forms of discrimination simultaneously and that these are intertwined in a perspective of inclusive struggle. We recognize that we must collectively take this into account.

Justice

None-violence

Intersectionality

Involvement

Divers-Gens encourages the participation of each member in all areas of the organization. We are greatful for everything a person gives and that this is beneficial to the organization and its members. We always promote inclusive practices as well as new initiatives to improve our practices.

Democracy

Democracy is at our roots. Members have primacy over decisions. It is fundamental for us that everyone is at the center of decisions and our practices. Democracy is power by and for our members.

Our team

Cédric Champagne
Coordination

Roxane St-Martin
Activities Manager

Maxim Marcoux
Administrative coordinator

Audrey Mini

Codirectrice (représentation et partenariat)

Béatrice Touchette
Responsable vie associative

Our board of directors

Gen Ste-Marie
Presidency

Jasmine Boulet Laporte
Vice-presidency

Ghyslain DeFoy
Trésorerie et secrétariat

Sandrine Lacroix
Administration

Mélissa Couture
Administration

Will Daudelin
Administration

Sasha Raymond
Administration

Our emblematic characters

Hey, I'm David! I am a basketball passionate. I even made it my job. Looking back at my life, i and proud of where i am now. In high school, it was far from easy. I was laughed at in the locker rooms, teased during the games. Once, someone wrote on a banner «Get out fag!». My homosexuality became taboo.

Avec le recul, je peux dire que ça a fortifié mon caractère et me permet d’être épanoui dans ma vie professionnelle et personnelle. Je songe justement à fonder une famille avec mon amoureux.

Allo, moi c’est Iris! Personnellement, je ne ressens pas le besoin de faire mon coming out. Ça ne fait pas de moi une personne bisexuelle moins valide parce que je ne le dis pas à tout le monde. Ça ne veut pas dire non plus que je suis hétéro quand ça me tente et bi quand ça fait mon affaire. Je préfère choisir qui est au courant ou pas et garder mon intimité pour moi. Mais, je suis bi et très fière de l’être.

I'm Vincent. As I am deaf, it is easier to communicate with me with LSQ. I have always looked up to people from the 2SLGBPTQIA+ community and love being able to learn from their lived experiences. In my heart, these people are members of my family, my chosen family! This is also why I am considered a good ally who likes to take the time to understand and educate myself about their reality.

Hi, I'm Eryka. When I came out as pansexual, it didn't go very well with my parents and my boyfriend. It led me to develop eating disorders. Fortunately, I found myself a family thanks to my school's diversity committee. It makes me feel much better, even though my disorder is still present, I take it one day at a time. I am now in a relationship with an agender person and I enjoy our good times.

My name is Ryan. I'm in a relationship, but I still wonder if it's essential to put a label on my sexual orientation. It is not yet defined and I am comfortable with that. But I respect 100% the people who need it, it is important for them. For me, art and design is what defines me best! I want to help others discover their ways of expressing themselves and support them in their journey of self-acceptance. This is why I am also involved in the 2SLGBPTQIA+ organizations of my region.

Hey, je m’appelle Samya, je suis non-binaire et lesbienne. J’ai grandi dans une famille immigrante de 2e génération, super ouverte et avec laquelle j’ai été immédiatement accepté·e. Même avec mes ami·es, j’ai un super réseau de soutien. J’ai décidé de m’impliquer dans la communauté pour protéger les autres qui ont moins de chance que moi. On me voit un peu comme une mère auprès de la communauté et comme une confidente dans ma relation polyamoureuse à trois. Je me sers de mon histoire pour donner de l’espoir.