In 1969, Canada enacted the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1968–69, which decriminalized private and consensual homosexual activities between adults aged 21 and over.

Quebec legalized gay marriage and was the third to do so. After gay couple Michael Hendricks and René Leboeuf went to court and invalidated parts of the law preventing them from getting married. This became effective on March 19th, 2004.

Gay marriage became legal federally on July 20th, 2005.

In Quebec, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Before October 1st, a proof of surgery was required.

With Bill n°35 : An Act to amend the Civil Code as regards civil status, successions and the publication of rights, it's not required anymore.

''SECTION IV
CHANGE OF DESIGNATION OF SEX

71. Every person whose sexual identity does not correspond to the designation of sex that appears in that person's act of birth may, if the conditions prescribed by this Code and by government regulation have been met, have that designation and, if necessary, the person's given names changed.

These changes may in no case be made dependent on the requirement to have undergone any medical treatment or surgical operation whatsoever.'' (Civil Code of Québec)

To qualify to change the sex designation appearing on your act of birth, you must:
- be 18 years of age or over;
- hold Canadian citizenship;
- be domiciled in Québec for at least one year.
If you were born in Québec but live elsewhere, you may also qualify to change your sex designation if you show that such an amendment is not possible in the province or country in which you are domiciled.

If you qualify to apply, you must complete the Application to Change the Sex Designation Appearing on an Act of Birth form and provide the documents indicated on the form.

In particular, you must provide an affidavit in which you affirm:

- that the designation of sex requested is the designation that best corresponds your sexual identity;
- that you assume that sexual identity and intend to continue doing so;
- that you understand the seriousness of the undertaking;
- that your undertaking is voluntary and your consent is given in a free and enlightened manner.
You must also include:

- the affidavit of a person of full age who attests to having known you for at least one year and who confirms that you are fully aware of the seriousness of your application;
- if you have already obtained a change of the designation of sex that appears in your act of birth, you must also include a letter from a physician, a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a sexologist authorized to practice in Canada or in the State in which you are domiciled, who declares having evaluated or followed you and is of the opinion that the change of the designation is appropriate having regard to the affidavit you made in support of your initial application. (Directeur de l'état civil Québec, change of sex designation)

In Quebec, transition care is not restricted.

There is no set age to access puberty blockers or hormones, but minors can consent to medical care by themselves starting at 14. In theory, this means they could access care without their parents' knowledge or consent, but it is hard to access in practice due to wait times and the lack of clinics providing this care.

For surgery, only mastectomies can be done as a minor (starting at 16).

The state currently covers mastectomies, phalloplasties, vaginoplasties and metaoidioplasties done at the Montreal GRS exclusively.

Starting June 17 2022, Quebecers can change their gender marker to an X on their birth certificate, free of charge and with no consulting required. They can also be classified as a parent rather than a mother or father on their child's birth certificate.

Since March 4th, 2024, non-binary people can also request the X gender marker on their health cards and driver's licenses.

Sexual orientation is protected under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights since December 1977, making it the first province to protect it.

Gender identity and expression is protected federally under Bill C-16.

The 1982 legislation governing adoption in Quebec was written gender neutrally, allowing LGB couples to adopt. It states: "any person of full age may, alone or jointly with another person, adopt a child".

Section 268 of Canada's Criminal Code (1985) makes aggravated assault illegal, including actions that cause injury or harm to a victim's sex organs. However, there is an exception in Section 268(3)(a) for medical practitioners performing surgeries to establish a "normal sexual appearance." Therefore, medical practitioners performing surgeries on intersex youth is not banned.

LGBT soldiers are permitted to serve in the Canadian military and have been since Douglas v Canada.

Following the Health Canada decision to remove the deferral for men who have sex with men, Héma-Québec will remove it as well, but a little bit later than other provinces.

In the Fall 2022, men who have sex with men will be allowed to donate plasma without deferral, but not blood or platelets yet.

On December 4, 2022, the criteria will be expanded for blood and platelets. Donors will be asked about sexual partners and pregnancy history instead of being singled out for their sexual orientation.

Nationwide

In 2019, a bill was passed to equalise the age of consent to age 16 no matter the sexuality.