A Masterclass with Norman Robert Boie

This presentation examines end-of-life care for 2SLGBTQIA+ persons through trauma, institutional trust, spirituality, and medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in Canada, especially Québec. It argues that debates on assisted dying often overlook the lasting impact of institutional harm on LGBTQIA+ communities. For many—particularly elders, transgender people, disabled individuals, migrants, and those shaped by religious exclusion—healthcare and spiritual institutions are not neutral spaces. Histories of discrimination, pathologization, and rejection influence how care options, including MAiD, are perceived, raising questions about dignity and societal value.

The project analyzes Québec’s MAiD framework and ethical concerns around vulnerability and social determinants. It advocates for trauma-informed, spiritually attentive care focused on recognition, meaning, and trust-building. Ultimately, it asks: before expanding the right to die, how can systems ensure marginalized individuals feel safe, valued, and fully human?