Seven days of festivities, 12 free shows, 150 committed artists: the time for the Pride celebrations is approaching, but the battles to be fought for the so-called 2SLGBTQIA+ community are still far from over. The 15e edition of the Montreal Pride festival will take place from 1er August 7 on the Esplanade of the Olympic Park, in the Village and downtown.
The ambition for Pride week this year is to be more representative of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (people who are two-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities ), which represents a growing diversity.
“In every programming decision, we want to make voices heard,” said Simon Gamache, general manager of Pride Montreal, at a press conference on Tuesday. “The past few years have not been easy. […] and we need to come together. »
The parade, which closes the festival, will carry a series of demands aimed at governments and the population in general. Pride Montreal demands funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizations, public recognition of racism, free care and gender affirmation operations, prohibition of operations performed without consent on intersex people, funding for education in positive sexuality, and measures to break the isolation of 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors.
Free treatment for HIV and AIDS as well as the decriminalization of HIV non-disclosure, drug use and sex work are also among the priorities, said Simon Gamache.
“The community still faces homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and lesbophobia,” said the director of Pride Montreal. He clarified that these demands were developed by the community sector.
When asked if the many challenges facing the community are daunting, he answers with a firm “no”. The community is always finding new ways to deal with it, he said. He points out that several of his organizations would benefit from being better funded.
Shows
The official opening of the festival will take place on Wednesday, August 3, at 7 p.m., with the participation of legendary singer Diane Dufresne, on the Esplanade of the Olympic Park. Other artists, such as Montreal DJ and songwriter of Congolese origin Pierre Kwenders, will also be present.
The 2.9-kilometre parade will take place on Sunday, August 7, René-Lévesque Boulevard, between Metcalfe Street (in the former 2SLGBTQIA+ sector, to the west) and Alexandre-DeSève Street (in the heart of the current Village , to the East). Only green vehicles are allowed to participate in the parade. The festivities will also end on the Esplanade, with the return of the T-Dance and the closing show. Brazilian singer-songwriter Pabllo Vittar, who is one of the most followed drag queens on social media, will deliver a performance to end the parade. This will be the Brazilian artist’s first time performing in Canada.
The organization says the festival is the first in Quebec to be accredited Commande un cherub, a protocol that aims to prevent sexual violence in bars and festive or social events. On the site, anyone fearing for their safety or that of another person can ask for help without having to justify themselves to an employee bearing the initiative’s logo.