On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, October 10, the Youth in Mind Foundation is joining forces with GRIS-Montréal and Ensemble pour le respect de la diversité to launch a podcast series aimed at fostering a supportive environment for queer youth and those around them.
Four episodes. Two languages. One universal quest: belonging.
A classroom where someone speaks up for the very first time. A hallway where another shares how they finally felt at home. Sometimes whispered, sometimes through bursts of laughter—these are stories of identity, discovery, and affirmation.
This documentary series—two episodes in French, two in English—takes us into the heart of school life to hear from those navigating the search for who they are. It explores coming out, building trust, the power of supportive looks—and the sting of hurtful ones. It also confronts the rise of LGBTQ-phobia and the ways people respond, with courage, humor, and tenderness.
Through deeply personal testimonies, raw soundscapes, and the voices of educators and advocates, the series weaves together unique experiences bound by a common thread: the search for a safe space to live—and thrive—as your true self.
Watch the podcast trailer:
Video:
DISCOVER ALL EPISODES:
Épisode 1 – Je pensais que j’étais seul·e au monde (in French only)
À l’intérieur d’un club LGBTQ dans une école secondaire, des élèves partagent leurs histoires, aux côtés d’intervenant·es communautaires et d’enseignant·es ouvertement queer. Sur fond de montée de la haine envers la diversité sexuelle et de genre, ce balado présente le portrait d’une jeunesse queer et des adultes qui partagent leur quotiden: Un grand-papa gay, une meilleure amie alliée, une personne bispirituelle, une jeune lesboqueer et musulmane, une femme trans des îles-de-la-Madeleine, etc. De leur éveil LGBTQ à leurs coming out, découvrez les récits de celles, ceux et celleux qui ont choisi de ne plus vivre dans la honte.
Épisode 2 – C’est juste du respect (in French only)
« Si tu bouges, t’es gay. » Dans les cours d’école à travers le Québec, l’homophobie et la transphobie sont en hausse. En donnant la parole à celles et ceux qui les subissent chaque jour, cet épisode nous invite à réfléchir à comment y faire face tout en se rappelant la force de la bienveillance et de l’éducation. Et si l’amour était vraiment plus fort que la haine ?
Épisode 3 – That butterfly feeling
Inside a high school LGBTQ club, students open up about their lives, joined by community workers and openly queer teachers. Against the backdrop of rising hatred toward sexual and gender diversity, this podcast amplifies voices of resilience and pride: a gender-fluid Catholic teenager, a proud teacher ally, a bigender omnisexual student, a queer-questioning educator, a trans non-binary social health worker, and more. From first realizations to coming out, these are the stories of those who refuse to live in shame.
Épisode 4 – Do better, bestie
“If you move, you’re gay.” In schoolyards across Quebec, homophobia and transphobia are on the rise. By giving voice to those who face it every day, this episode invites us to reflect on how to confront it and to remember that kindness and education are powerful tools. What if love does always win?
A series co-produced by the Youth in Mind Foundation, Ensemble pour le respect de la diversité, GRIS-Montréal, and À la Trois média, made possible thanks to the generosity of Manulife. Manulife’s support is in alignment with their Impact Agenda and its commitment to empowering sustained health and well-being.
NEW PODCAST
This documentary series takes us into the heart of school life to hear from those navigating the search for who they are.