Over the past year, many of you spoke up, voicing your frustrations, hurts, and expectations regarding Fierté Montréal. We thank you for that. These messages are legitimate and important, and they are directly impacting the process of self-reflection and improvement currently underway within the organization.
The renewed Board of Directors and team are deeply committed to doing things differently, together with you. This year, we want to refocus our efforts on listening and taking action.
Over the past few months, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the Fierté Montreal Festival, our guiding principles have been listening, transparency, and humility. We have taken the time to read your feedback, listen to you, and reflect.
This time has allowed us to begin taking concrete steps that we wish to present to you today, without claiming to have all the answers, in the spirit of transparency and a commitment to reconciliation.
A Renewed Team and Board of Directors
First, we’d like to provide some context regarding the internal changes that have recently taken place.
New faces are joining those who have been with us for several years, and together we share the same goal: to return to the core values of what we think Pride should be. We wish to return to a responsible movement that recognizes, names, and stands in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ struggles while, at the same time, allowing everyone to celebrate in an inclusive and safe space.
This transformation also leads us to take a clear-eyed look at our positions and the way we have expressed them.
We wish to acknowledge that Fierté Montréal’s statement regarding the genocide in Gaza came too late. However, please know that we will not retract it. Moving forward, we will continue to clearly state that observable acts of oppression, here and elsewhere, are unacceptable and reprehensible. We stand in solidarity with those who experience them.
Communities at the Core of our Work
We have initiated spaces for dialogue to ensure that communities are directly involved in our discussions and decisions.
A Community Advisory Committee has been established to foster ongoing dialogue with communities, ensuring that their realities, needs, and priorities are truly at the heart of our actions. It helps guide the selection of Community Projects, prioritizing promising and sustainable initiatives.
A Programming Advisory Committee has also been formed to support and enrich discussions surrounding the Festival. Its role is to advise on programming so that it is more representative of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, while helping to identify blind spots and unmet needs.
Composed of volunteer members representing community organizations and artistic collectives, these committees ensure that our actions truly reflect the needs and voices of communities and artists.
Beyond these structures, we also take the time to meet with community and artistic groups in person. These exchanges allow us to hear directly the concerns and ideas of the people who bring our communities to life, in all their diversity. This work is ongoing, and it is essential to us.
If you are an organization, a collective, or a group and would like to discuss your concerns, challenges, or ideas, please feel free to contact us.
Spotlight on Local Talent
Recognizing the importance of highlighting those who make Montreal shine, the focus for this edition will be on local talent.
This year marks a significant return to the Village. With 10 days of programming, this decision is intended to be a return to our roots, but also a clear commitment to rebuilding strong ties with local artistic and community groups.
Supported by the advisory committee, the Village’s programming will be entirely drawn from an open call for artists that we issued earlier this year. It will therefore showcase local talent in all its diversity.
Through this approach, we aim to support a strong and, above all, representative local scene.
Resources for the Benefit of Communities
We recognize our privilege within the ecosystem and the responsibilities that come with the resources entrusted to us, which is why we want to put this into concrete action: giving back, particularly to marginalized communities.
With this in mind, we are taking concrete steps. Free training on grant applications is offered to community organizations, as well as to artists and artistic collectives, to support them in their funding efforts.
We have also announced the return of the call for community projects, a funding program designed to support initiatives by and for our communities. This year, the focus will be on projects that have a lasting impact on communities to enhance everyone's capacity, especially in a context of challenging funding for the community sector.
At the same time, our partnerships continue to be guided by a rigorous review process. Each collaboration is evaluated to ensure that partner organizations demonstrate a genuine, year-round commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, both within their organizations and externally.
The resources provided by these partners will be directly invested in projects by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including the Festival and all year-round activities, in a spirit of equity and justice.
Marching Through Adversity
The Pride Parade remains an important moment of visibility, celebration, and coming together for our communities.
Various dialogues and roundtables are planned to ensure that every community feels welcome to participate in the activities in a safe and inclusive manner.
Furthermore, given the current international and geopolitical context, we have decided to suspend the option for the C4 category (diplomatic and consular corps) to register for the Parade and Community Days for this edition.
Moving Forward
What we are beginning today is a long-term effort. It won’t be perfect, but it will be driven by a sincere desire to rebuild trust with you.
We bear the responsibility of honoring the history of Pride by helping to make this Festival a space that truly reflects and supports our communities. A space where they can come together, express themselves, and be heard.
Fierté Montreal cannot exist without its communities, so it should not be rebuilt without them.
