In August 2002, AlterHeros created “Join the troop”, a unique tool to empower queer youth. Two years later, after that several hundreds of supporters adhered to the troop, AlterHéros and Quebec Alliance for Queer Youth (QAQY) jointly decided to widen the range of this declaration on a national scale.

It is thus on November 7, 2004 at the time of QAQY general assembly that the QAQY members, including community organizations, associations and projects of community organizations, created the "Declaration of the allies".

It is important to note that a great number of young people have difficulties to be accepted as queers, especially those living in small rural communities or those that have no one to talk to. The negative connotation which is labeled with homosexuality, bisexuality, as well as transsexuality, is still present in our society. Thus, a large number of queer youth are still struggling with the idea of identifying themselves as queers, and hence, feel alone and wonder “am I the only one?”

In spite of the laws against discrimination based on the sexual orientation, homophobia is still present, especially in the schools and youth milieux. Youth must deal with different forms of discrimination, rejection, even hatred and harassment. These obstacles expose queer youth to an emotional distress that can lead to depression, feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and by consequence, a higher school drop-out rate, substance abuse, unsafe sex practices, and even to consider attempting suicide.

Help us to build a network of allies to show queer youth that they are not alone in our society, to help empower them to be confident and proud about themselves, to empower them to accept and celebrate their sexual orientation and gender identity, to help them overcome obstacles and make healthy choices about relationships and sex, and to help them so that they can feel proud to be and are equal members of society.

Join the QAQY network of allies by signing the Declaration of the allies.