This text is part of the special edition Pride Montreal
Fierté Montréal’s adolescence was sometimes tumultuous, but its 18th edition aims to be more unifying than ever.
Between 1er and on August 11, the colours of the rainbow flag are bright in the Quebec metropolis. To mark its triumphant arrival at adulthood, Fierté Montréal is offering not two, but three hubs of activities: from the Olympic Park to the Quartier des spectacles with the Village as its central point, the 2024 edition occupies an ever-larger space for an ever-more abundant program.
Being just a stone’s throw from Place des Arts for the very first time has symbolic value, showing the dazzling expansion of a must-see event and the expression of its festive character. Because, yes, it is also a festival, insists Simon Gamache, general director of Fierté Montréal since 2021, a classical musician who later became cultural manager of major organizations (the Analekta record company, the I Musici chamber orchestra, the Banff Centre in Alberta). “In 2007, Fierté Montréal took over from Divers/Cité for the organization of the parade and arrived in an ecosystem where festivals contributed to the economic development of the city. We are not supported by the same ministries that support community organizations in the LGBTQ+ community,” says Simon Gamache.
All solid colors
On the other hand, the presence of this milieu, and especially its demands, colors the entire program. From the community days (two instead of one for the first time this year) to the grand parade of August 11 (192 contingents participated last year) through the exhibitions and literary evenings, not to mention many flamboyant shows, diversity is expressed in all tones. This mosaic of objectives, dreams and ambitions thus reflects the plurality of needs and opinions of a large community whose protest music can sometimes be cacophonous.
Simon Gamache is aware of the high and sometimes radically opposed expectations of Fierté Montréal. “Some say we are not militant enough and others criticize us for being too militant,” emphasizes the general director. “Our mission is to give great visibility to the LGBTQ+ community, and we don’t just do it in August, but all year long, in different regions of Quebec, from Trois-Pistoles to Val-d’Or to Sherbrooke. And there are many groups that need communication support: we are there for them.”
He doesn’t define himself as an activist, but he could compare himself to a conductor, first within an organization that has experienced its share of storms (including the resounding cancellation of the parade on August 7, 2022), made up of people from all walks of life. “We recruit people who don’t all think the same thing, and that’s essential to obtain a plurality of perspectives,” explains this music graduate from McGill University. “It seems obvious to say that we live in a time full of immense challenges, but why do we always hear the same solutions? Because it’s always the same people at the decision-making tables. Making room for others who are less visible, or downright invisible, is what gives meaning to my commitment.”
Hello police?
Listening to the needs, and complaints, of such a diverse community is a constant challenge for the Fierté Montréal team. Simon Gamache calls it “complex, demanding and exciting.” “Last year, we worked with 300 different organizations, from businesses to governments and consulates, as well as activists: they all have their own vision of what Pride represents.”
Among them, of course, is the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), a key player in ensuring the security of the event. Historically, the institution has experienced tense episodes with the LGBTQ+ community, and these have left their mark, to the point where many still do not want the police to take part in the big parade. “Yes, there was friction, I spoke about it publicly last year, but my goal is to ensure a better understanding of the issues among all police forces,” says Simon Gamache. “We are in constant contact with them, and the SPVM will be present during the community days. We work together, and we do so with complete transparency.”
This content was produced by the Special Publications Team of Dutyrelevant to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part in it.