Intolerance Toward LGBTQ+ Individuals Increasing in Quebec Schools
A recent study reveals a troubling rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments among Quebec high school students
Montreal, Quebec, LGBTQ+, GRIS-Montréal, Youth
Montreal: A new study has found that anti-LGBTQ+ feelings are on the rise among high school students in Quebec. It’s pretty concerning, right?
GRIS-Montréal, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, shared these findings based on responses from 35,000 students across the province. That’s a lot of voices!
They discovered that the number of students uncomfortable with having a lesbian best friend jumped from 15% in 2017 to 34% in 2024. That’s a huge increase!
Even more alarming, over 40% said they’d feel uneasy if their best friend was gay, up from 25% just a few years ago. It’s clear something needs to change.
GRIS-Montréal, which offers workshops on sexual and gender diversity in schools, noted that these intolerant attitudes come from youth of all backgrounds. It’s not just one group.
Gabrielle Richard, the research director at GRIS-Montréal, pointed out that social media might be fueling these negative views. It can really amplify certain ideas and create divides.
This report was first published on January 16, 2025, by The Canadian Press. It’s a reminder that we need to keep pushing for acceptance and understanding.