Our people

Rob Boulet
co-Chair of ILGA North America and the Caribbean
Elected during the 2024 ILGA World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa

Rob Boulet (he/him) is a bi, nerdy advocate from Northern Ontario, Canada, who has spent over two decades working for greater equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Growing up in a rural Canadian community, he experienced both the beauty of nature and the challenges faced by queer and trans people, which shaped his dedication to creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

His background combines education, technology, and advocacy to drive change. After attending Canadore College, Rob used his skills to improve access to learning and digital tools, particularly for underserved communities. At Nipissing University, he worked as a Learning Systems Technologist, leading initiatives to make education more inclusive and accessible. His focus was on creating environments where all students could succeed, not just implementing technology.

Labour justice has been another core aspect of his work. Through OPSEU/SEFPO, Rob held various leadership roles, advocating for fair contracts and safer workplaces. One of his key achievements was co-developing a policy motion for the Canadian Labour Congress, which reinforced his belief in collective action to create systemic change.

His involvement with the Rainbow Alliance Arc-en-Ciel (RAA) has been another avenue for building bridges. Rob has helped organize events and campaigns addressing workplace discrimination and mental health, always focusing on connection—bringing people together to create change and amplify marginalized voices.

As an ILGA World Board Member, Rob sees the role as an opportunity to connect with global communities and strengthen the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement. His priorities include:

• Amplifying marginalized voices, ensuring rural, Indigenous, and other underrepresented communities have a seat at the table
• Expanding access to resources, and developing tools and platforms to help member organizations grow
• Strengthening labour-queer alliances, recognizing the connection between queer and labour struggles
• Championing inclusive leadership, and advocating for practices that reflect the diversity of ILGA’s membership.

Outside of advocacy, Rob recently became a motorcycle rider. He’s launching a travel blog and podcast in 2025 to explore identity, regional history, and labour rights through the experiences of queer and trans individuals. The project aims to share untold stories and highlight the resilience of these communities.

His journey has shown him the experience of both being seen and unseen, navigating spaces not designed for people like him, and fighting for a better future. Rob believes in the power of community, collaboration, and collective action, and he works toward a world where everyone can live with dignity and pride.

Organisation: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)