Pride in Montreal since 1979: moving perspectives

More than 45 years after the very first Pride march organized in 1979 in Montréal by gay activist John Banks and his Pink Brigade, the Pride movement has come a long way. Originally bringing together around fifty people in Lafontaine Park to mark the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, today’s Pride Parade attracts nearly 17,000 participants and 200,000 spectators.

While maintaining its 2SLGBTQIA+ activist roots, Montréal Pride now brings together hundreds of allied organizations from various sectors: nonprofits, unions, media, governments, businesses, political parties, and more.

Over the years, several groups have taken on the organization of Pride in Montréal, including Divers/Cité (1993–2015) and Fierté Montréal (since 2007). What began as a simple protest march has become a major cultural and artistic festival—one of Montréal’s largest—generating significant tourism and economic impact. Celebrating Pride is now part of Montréal’s identity, with the City of Montréal as the festival’s main financial partner.

But how did Pride evolve in this way? How can it bring people together without leaving others behind? How do we celebrate past gains without losing sight of current struggles? What tensions still remain? Pride is a dynamic social movement where diverse perspectives coexist—sometimes in conflict, but always striving toward a shared goal: advancing the rights, inclusion, and recognition of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Panelists who have been directly involved in organizing Pride in Montréal will share their experiences and insights, helping us reflect on how Pride can continue to evolve with nuance and compassion. Together, our communities are more resilient.

The conference will be interpreted in Quebec Sign Language (LSQ).

Fierté Montréal thanks the MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises for its support.