LGBTQ+ communities have made important strides in having their rights recognized in recent years, but their members still face inequalities. Even today, people who fully embrace their sexual orientation or gender identity are taking a risk when they express their authentic selves. They may face rejection from their families, difficulties finding or keeping a job, inequality in accessing certain types of care and repeated discrimination. These factors don’t just affect their well-being, they affect their financial life, too.
Pascal Vaillancourt is the former head of Interligne, an organization that provides support, information and assistance to LGBTQ+ people across Quebec and that Desjardins is proud to partner with. Pascal says the discrimination that LGBTQ+ people encounter usually starts well before adulthood. “Exclusion often starts at school, where homophobic slurs are still common insults,” he says.
Discrimination in the classroom
When school isn’t a safe or supportive space, young people can get discouraged and abandon their studies. In addition to being a painful experience, this can have long-term repercussions on their career paths and financial future.
Despite efforts to improve awareness of gender and sexual diversity in schools, notably by Interligne itself, young people from these communities are still victims of bullying. “On our helpline, we get calls from young people telling us they’ve fallen into depression, have had to quit school and have even considered suicide because of the repeated violence,” he says.
Thinking back to his experience leading Interligne and what he’s most proud of having accomplished there, Pascal says that a solid inclusion policy can help ensure that students can access appropriate support and gain a sense of belonging, at school and beyond:
“Before changing the organization’s name from ‘Gai Écoute’ to ‘Interligne,’ we first made sure that the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities was represented within our own walls. We overhauled our intervention and human resources practices and we adopted a parity-based board of directors model. Once the transformation was complete, we saw a 30% increase in call volumes and a lot more diversity in the people we serve.”
Family first: Before the social safety net
Some members of the LGBTQ+ community are fortunate enough to get the support and acceptance they need from their friends and families, but others aren’t so lucky and face anything from subtle exclusion to outright rejection.
A person who comes out as a teen or young adult may lose the family financial support they were counting on to pursue their studies, find housing or find their place in the workforce. This can lead to significant financial instability.
People who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community are also more likely to experience being unhoused at a younger age. The national study Everyone Counts 2024 revealed that 52% of LGBTQ+ respondents first experienced housing instability before the age of 25, compared to 38% of people who are not part of this community.
Although the consequences may be more pronounced in adolescence, this kind of marginalization, exclusion and rejection can lead to distress, substance use issues and uncertainty at every stage of life. In fact, seniors are also particularly vulnerable to these effects, as they’re more likely to experience isolation. That’s why community organizations play an essential role in supporting a wide variety of people.
“I remember a grandmother who called to thank us for saving her family,” says Pascal. “She had called on our services a few months before for help understanding what her granddaughter was going through and how she could help. Then a few weeks later, the young woman also reached out to us, at her grandmother’s suggestion.”
Inequality of opportunities: There’s still work to do
Today, LGBTQ+ community members can be more open about who they are in many different environments, including the workplace. Even so, Pascal believes that more work needs to be done to raise awareness of the issues they face. He’s noticed that some organizations have rolled back their equity, diversity and inclusion investments and commitments since the pandemic.
“We’re concerned there will be more discrimination toward LGBTQ+ communities, especially transgender people, who are still working to gain social acceptance, compared to gay and lesbian communities,” he says.
Some transgender people report that despite their skills and training, they have more difficulty than cisgender and heterosexual people when trying to find work or advance in their careers. “A double master’s degree may not always be enough to compensate for prejudices that trans people encounter, especially if they’re transitioning later in life,” shares Pascal, referring to the situation of someone he knows.
“When we provide support, our goal is to empower people to take control of their situation,” Pascal says. “Often, we try to do this by working on their sense of self-acceptance, because LGBTQ+ people who accept themselves are better able to let go of other people’s expectations and have better chances of moving forward and succeeding in life.”
His remarks are a reminder that inclusivity isn’t just about respecting people’s differences. It’s also about creating conditions where people can grow and thrive. Inclusive workplaces, for example, support skills development, encourage a sense of belonging, and help retain talent.
The impact of mental health
Even though inclusion can support fulfillment and well-being, many people still suffer the effects of exclusion. Psychological distress is higher among members of the LGBTQ+ community than the general population, and this can have an impact on their financial situation. This can be due to temporary dips in income, the cost of therapy, or the pursuit of gender-affirming care.
Pascal points out that the term “care” is fitting because it refers to a process that often includes helping ease persistent psychological distress. However, since gender-affirming care remains limited in Canada, some trans people are forced to hold off or give up on transitioning. And while private clinics and international care are options, they may be cost-prohibitive.
It’s clear from these examples that the cost of authenticity has many faces and sometimes far-reaching implications, which is why it’s important to develop flexible solutions. Legislative changes in recent years, such as those recognizing same-sex-parent families, demonstrate the positive impact that these advances can have.
The power of positive role models
Today, LGBTQ+ people are more visible than ever in public spaces and the business world, which helps open people’s minds to new possibilities. “Role models show us that anything is possible,” says Pascal. “When young people hear inspiring stories they can identify with, they’re more likely to plan for the future, continue their studies or start a business.”
He notes, however, that behind-the-scenes players, such as organizations, employers and institutions that work to create more inclusive environments, are also important vectors of change.
Inclusion drives prosperity
At its heart, every LGBTQ+ journey is about the same thing: being able to be yourself without fear of judgment or discrimination. That’s why Desjardins supports its employees as well as outside organizations that contribute to building a more inclusive society, like Interligne. With Desjardins’s financial support, Interligne has been able to expand its youth programs and continue raising awareness through two major events: Pink Shirt Day and La Grande Démesure, which will be held on November 13, 2026.
“When an organization like Desjardins publicly supports diversity and inclusion, it sends a strong message: that everyone deserves to feel accepted, welcomed and respected for who they are. This type of commitment makes a real difference in our communities.”
– Pascal Vaillancourt
Need help or support?
Interligne provides information, support and a 24/7 helpline for members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as their friends and families. The organization is active across Quebec, whether you need support or help finding the right resources. To learn more about its services, visit interligne.co
Source:
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Everyone Counts 2024: Highlights Report Part 2 – Survey of People Experiencing Homelessness, December 2025, 45 pages. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2026/licc-hicc/T94-54-2025-2-eng.pdf (consulted in 2026).
INFOS | https://www.desjardins.com/lgbtq
Content created by Desjardins
