The Alphabet Soup of Sexual and Gender Diversity

Session B2 10:30 – 11:30

Session Description:

The abbreviation LGBTQ, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, keeps getting longer and longer: a sign of the proliferation of sexual and gender identities. Despite this, many of these terms are unknown or misunderstood, much to the chagrin of those who celebrate diversity and are only asking to be recognized and understood. This presentation is for you if you are an ally or even just curious and want to know more about these new words and labels that are increasingly visible in Quebec society.

Presenter Bio:

Mona Greenbaum is the co-founder and executive director of the LGBT Family Coalition, an association that advocates for families with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans parents. The organization received three Arc-en-ciel Awards in recognition of its social activism. The Coalition’s primary mission is to train people who work in schools, as well as social and health services.

To date, the Coalition has held more than 800 training sessions in 17 regions of the province of Québec, sensitizing more than 30,000 people about the need to intervene against homophobic and transphobic violence, heteronormativity and harassment based on gender expression.

In 2010, Mona received the Médaille de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec, in honour of her many years of activism within the LGBT community. In 2015, on the 40th anniversary of the Charter, the Québec Commission on Human Rights and Youth Rights selected Mona as one of the 40 people having led exceptional careers in the defense or advocacy of the rights included in the Charter.

Mona is also a consultant and trainer for Quebec’s Institut national de santé publique.