MENU
Us in a Nutshell
ILGA-North America and the Caribbean (ILGA-NAC) evolved from its predecessor, ILGA-North America (ILGA-NA), established on August 8, 2016, under the Canada Corporation Act. The organization initially focused on addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ communities within North America. Over time, it became increasingly apparent that the unique cultural, contextual, and linguistic needs of the Caribbean were not being fully addressed under the broader umbrella of Latin America and the Caribbean (ILGA-LAC).
History of ILGA-NAC
Responding to this gap, ILGA-NA undertook a strategic re-evaluation to enhance its focus and effectiveness in these regions. On October 15, 2021, it expanded its scope to include countries that are explicitly culturally attuned to the Caribbean (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname,Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands) and was rebranded as ILGA-NAC. This expansion represented more than just a name change; it was a significant shift in operational focus and strategic planning. It aimed to create a more tailored and effective advocacy and support framework that respects and addresses the specific challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and others) communities in both North America and the Caribbean.
This transition marked a critical step in our commitment to ensuring that all parts of our region receive the focused attention and support they require. By acknowledging and acting on the distinct needs of the Caribbean, ILGA-NAC has strengthened its capacity to champion the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals across a broader and more diverse geographic area, ensuring that our advocacy efforts are as inclusive and effective as possible.
ILGA-NAC is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the capabilities of 2SLGBTQI+ organizations across the Caribbean, Canada and the USA.
Our approach includes facilitating access to critical resources, providing training and development programs, and fostering networks that enable peer support and shared advocacy strategies.
We design our initiatives to empower organizations, enabling them to sustain their operations and expand their influence and reach.
Our commitment is rooted in engaging an intersectional spectrum of organizations that represent various segments of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, including those differentiated by ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and cultural contexts.
