QMUNITY’s New Legal Clinic is a Place of Hope

For many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, accessing legal services can feel intimidating. Discrimination, systemic barriers and financial constraints often prevent people from getting the support they need. QMUNITY, a nonprofit working to improve queer, trans and Two-Spirit lives, is changing that with its new legal clinic aimed solely at serving 2SLGBTQIA+ people. “So many queer and trans people want to work with someone who understands what it’s like,” says Didi Dufresne*, the director of legal services at QMUNITY. “It’s an immense privilege to be there for people as they speak out against injustice.”

The QMUNITY Legal Clinic helps clients navigate various types of law, such as family, employment and tenancy law, and legal name changes. Because QMUNITY already offers counselling and special support groups for seniors and youth, it can refer legal clinic clients to more support when needed. Services are offered at no cost, a must when serving a community that is significantly marginalized.

Community support helped make clinic possible

The three-year grant of $385,000 per year from the Law Foundation of BC (LFBC) enables the clinic to operate sustainably, providing consistent, reliable access to justice. “I feel so lucky to be supported; they’re stalwart, committed supporters of access to justice,” says Dufresne, who previously worked as an advocacy manager at First United, another LFBC grantee.

Queer and trans lawyers from around Vancouver and BC flocked to the legal clinic’s launch party. Being able to network with other queer and trans lawyers is invaluable to the profession,” says Dufresne. For instance, QMUNITY relies on volunteer lawyers to staff its name change clinics.

The work is challenging, but QMUNITY’s legal clinic is rooted not just in legal victories, but in queer joy. “The fight is hard for sure,” says Dufresne, “But queer joy keeps us engaged and reminds us why this work matters. At the end of the day, it’s about supporting each other and building a community where everyone can live fully as themselves.”