LGBTQ2Canada

Overview
Welcome to LGBTQ2Canada! As actions in the United States continue to threaten the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, more and more people are exploring opportunities for leaving the country. For a number of reasons, Canada is one destination that frequently comes to mind. Over the past few months I've found myself answering the same questions or commenting on similar posts across various Facebook pages/groups. I have tried to keep up, sharing resources that might prove useful. As things continued to escalate, I decided it might be more useful to have a central location where resources can be made available, allowing me to simply direct people to that location. This website is that location.

Many of the links/resources can be helpful to those from other countries who are exploring immigration to Canada as well as those living in the US but who do not hold US citizenship. But, as the particulars can be quite different my focus is on the needs of and processes for US citizens. My personal expertise is limited to having immigrated to Canada as a US citizen. Thus, while all are welcome to utilize the site and its resources, I cannot provide assistance with the unique questions posed for those seeking to immigrate as other than a US citizen.

Please note that I began this site in mid-September 2025. I am doing this largely myself. I.e., No staff, no formal "team." Neither am I setting up "buy me a coffee" or other means of revenue generation. This means that I will do what I am able, when I am able. Thanks for your patience! That said, I have already received invaluable contributions from others. I am not going to thank them by name as people may not wish to have their identity publicized. Just know that if you have helped, my gratitude is great!

DISCLAIMER: I am not an immigration consultant nor an immigration lawyer and bear no responsibility for your use of the resources share herein. To learn more about me and my background please visit maelsheridan.com.

Why me?

On the evening of November 2, 2004, exit polling suggested a significant victory for the Democratic candidate, John Kerry. My then-partner and I went to sleep thinking that he would be the next president of the United States. We awakened to discover that we were wrong. Over 62 million people had voted for George W. Bush. But, before turning to sleep, my focus had been on the news that state after state was voting to amend their constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. Ultimately, during that election alone, eleven states chose to do so.

We had a three year old son. Millions of people across the country had voted against our family, despite our existence having absolutely no impact on their lives. On election night, fearing the worst, I said to my partner, “I think we need to look at getting out.” It took me six months to assemble our application for permanent residency, but in May 2005 it was submitted. Looking back it doesn’t seem like such a long stretch, but at the time the wait felt interminable. In early 2007 we received our visas for permanent residency and in the summer of 2008 we moved to Canada.

We had sought to make the move because we didn’t want to raise our son in a place where so many people acted to deny his family equal rights under the law. Canada had legalized same-sex marriage in 2005, but the US was woefully behind. However, by 2014 things were changing and due only to employment considerations we returned to the US. Yet, I always knew I wanted to return to Canada. In January, 2024 I moved back. At that point I did not imagine that the November 2024 election would lead to the US becoming a failed democracy. But, we find ourselves facing a new reality.

I’ve navigated the processes of applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Twice I’ve entered Canada to establish residency, figuring out which forms to complete, how to import a car, and all kinds of things associated with relocating to a new country. I’ve dealt not only with the federal government (e.g., immigration and taxes) but also provincial issues such as licenses, home and auto insurance, health care, and, yes, taxes. As noted above, I decided that it might be wise to create one source in which I could put all the resources that seem reasonable in one place. LGBTQ2Canada is that place.

A note: While 2SLGBTQ+ (or other variations thereof, but generally with 2S) is the convention in Canada, I have chosen to use the shorter LGBTQ to avoid confusion for those unfamiliar with that acronym, as well as my finding that the + isn't always welcome in digital formats. And, while the names of many organizations in Canada are bilingual (e.g., Fierté Fredericton Pride), for brevity, when labeled bilingually I have chosen to use names as they appear in English.

Questions, sugggestions, corrections?
Please contact me at lgbtq2canada@gmail.com. I aim to respond in as timely a fashion as possible. If you do contact me for assistance, I craft a personalized response to you. Would you kindly acknowledge receipt of my response when you receive it? I appreciate knowing that my efforts don't disappear into the ether. Thanks!