Latest news with #FiertéMontréal
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Groups cut ties with Fierté Montréal, say organization no longer represents them
A growing number of 2SLGBTQ+ groups in Quebec are cutting ties with Fierté Montréal, saying the organization behind Montreal's annual Pride festival has lost its way. In an open letter obtained by CBC, 10 organizations representing queer and lesbian groups in Quebec criticized Fierté Montréal, saying it no longer represents them and its practices are unacceptable. The signatories of the letter, which was written in French, say that Fierté Montréal bills itself as a unifying and festive event, meant to champion the struggles and voices of the 2SLGBTQ+ community but they feel "unheard, used and underpaid." They also say Fierté Montréal prioritizes image over activism and the interest of sponsors over those of the 2SLGBTQ+communities. "We think that Fierté is a festival that caters towards corporations, that caters towards corporate greed and doesn't cater towards queer communities and queer people," Halem Montréal board member Yara Coussa, one of the letter's signatories, told CBC News in an interview. The people behind the letter also accuse Fierté Montréal management of racism, sexism and creating a toxic culture and are calling for structural changes within the organization. In an interview with Radio-Canada, Simon Gamache, Fierté Montréal's executive director, said the organization was saddened by the accusations and treating the accusations very seriously. He said an internal investigation, in which he isn't personally involved, is underway. He also said the board of directors is committed to putting in place a process for handling complaints, be they related to behaviours taking place between artists participating in the festival or between artists and Fierté Montréal. Gamache said the hope is to have a system in place by September with the help of third parties that can offer "an external perspective and make recommendations." Nonetheless, the groups who signed the letter say that Fierté Montréal isn't doing enough for the community. "They are probably the richest queer organization in the city if not the province and yet they're not providing support and services to queer people that are actually asking for it," Coussa said. "So at some point you have to wonder: who are they catering to?" As an example, the signatories of the letter point to an event that used to be by invite only and exclusive to members of the community. Now, it has an entry fee. Carolina Montrose, founder and producer of DISCOÑO events, said the VIP area called VIQ — for very important queer — provided community members with a free opportunity to network. "Now, it's if you can afford that, you have that special space. And I don't think [paid] VIP areas have a place in a festival that is for marginalized communities," she said. Coussa agreed, saying it went against everything they've been working toward. "It's anti accessibility, anti-inclusion, anti-everything. And, and it just makes me wonder, is the only goal to make money here?" Coussa said. In defence of his organization and its relationship with corporate sponsors, Gamache said "we don't just happily take the money if the business comes to us and wants to work with us." "We make sure that the company has the same values as us. The first value is to advance the rights of LGBT communities and not go backwards," he said, adding that those sponsors have access to mermbership but they don't have elective powers. "Voting organizations are LGBTQ+ community organizations; they are the ones who can decide what happens at the general assembly; they are the ones who will elect the board of directors," Gamache said. Meanwhile, however, a new group is planning a festival of its own called Wild Pride as an alternative. Organizers for that event are aiming for it to take place in August.
CBC
18-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Groups cut ties with Fierté Montréal, say organization no longer represents them
A growing number of 2SLGBTQ+ groups in Quebec are cutting ties with Fierté Montréal, saying the organization behind Montreal's annual Pride festival has lost its way. In an open letter obtained by CBC, 10 organizations representing queer and lesbian groups in Quebec criticized Fierté Montréal, saying it no longer represents them and its practices are unacceptable. The signatories of the letter, which was written in French, say that Fierté Montréal bills itself as a unifying and festive event, meant to champion the struggles and voices of the 2SLGBTQ+ community but they feel "unheard, used and underpaid." They also say Fierté Montréal prioritizes image over activism and the interest of sponsors over those of the 2SLGBTQ+communities. "We think that Fierté is a festival that caters towards corporations, that caters towards corporate greed and doesn't cater towards queer communities and queer people," Halem Montréal board member Yara Coussa, one of the letter's signatories, told CBC News in an interview. The people behind the letter also accuse Fierté Montréal management of racism, sexism and creating a toxic culture and are calling for structural changes within the organization. In an interview with Radio-Canada, Simon Gamache, Fierté Montréal's executive director, said the organization was saddened by the accusations and treating the accusations very seriously. He said an internal investigation, in which he isn't personally involved, is underway. He also said the board of directors is committed to putting in place a process for handling complaints, be they related to behaviours taking place between artists participating in the festival or between artists and Fierté Montréal. Gamache said the hope is to have a system in place by September with the help of third parties that can offer "an external perspective and make recommendations." Nonetheless, the groups who signed the letter say that Fierté Montréal isn't doing enough for the community. "They are probably the richest queer organization in the city if not the province and yet they're not providing support and services to queer people that are actually asking for it," Coussa said. "So at some point you have to wonder: who are they catering to?" As an example, the signatories of the letter point to an event that used to be by invite only and exclusive to members of the community. Now, it has an entry fee. Carolina Montrose, founder and producer of DISCOÑO events, said the VIP area called VIQ — for very important queer — provided community members with a free opportunity to network. "Now, it's if you can afford that, you have that special space. And I don't think [paid] VIP areas have a place in a festival that is for marginalized communities," she said. Coussa agreed, saying it went against everything they've been working toward. "It's anti accessibility, anti-inclusion, anti-everything. And, and it just makes me wonder, is the only goal to make money here?" Coussa said. In defence of his organization and its relationship with corporate sponsors, Gamache said "we don't just happily take the money if the business comes to us and wants to work with us." "We make sure that the company has the same values as us. The first value is to advance the rights of LGBT communities and not go backwards," he said, adding that those sponsors have access to mermbership but they don't have elective powers. "Voting organizations are LGBTQ+ community organizations; they are the ones who can decide what happens at the general assembly; they are the ones who will elect the board of directors," Gamache said. Meanwhile, however, a new group is planning a festival of its own called Wild Pride as an alternative. Organizers for that event are aiming for it to take place in August.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
2SLGBTQ+ groups cut ties with Fierté Montréal, accusing organization of toxic culture
A growing number of queer groups in Quebec are distancing themselves from Fierté Montréal, denouncing what they describe as a toxic organizational culture that excludes the very communities the festival claims to uplift. Helem MTL, a group representing Arabic-speaking 2SLGBTQ+ communities, was the first to publicly sever ties with the festival organizers. Since then, a dozen organizations have followed, including West Island CALACS, the LBTQ Youth Foundation, AlterHéros, and sapphic-led collectives such as Sweet Like Honey, BLUSH, ElleLui, and DISCOÑO. In online statements, several groups accused the organization of misogyny, racism, gaslighting, and failing to pay artists on time. Others described a broader sense of alienation and a lack of transparency in decision-making. 'We have knocked on their doors so many times and they have not replied,' said Samya Lemrini, president of Helem MTL. 'We have realized that it's been the same discourse since 2022.' Samya Lemrini, president of Helem MTL Samya Lemrini, president of Helem MTL, says her organization cut ties with Fierté Montréal. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) Lemrini says Helem's decision came after repeated experiences of racism and dismissal, particularly surrounding the group's concerns about Fierté's silence on the war in Gaza during last year's events. 'When I think about Fierté Montréal, I physically don't feel good because that's how they made me feel,' she added. 'There's no way that we can stay with them' One of the most recent departures from the festivities is the Réseau des lesbiennes du Québec (RLQ-QC), a network that has existed since the 1990s. Executive Director Cynthia Eysséric says their decision followed years of frustration with Fierté's leadership. 'Every year, there's so much sexism, and we're trying to put forward our community — but it's not possible because Fierté doesn't listen,' said Eysséric. 'There's no way that we can stay with them after what we learned from other groups' experiences.' She added that while some Fierté staff are deeply committed to change, the problem lies within broader issues at the heart of the organization. Cynthia Eysséric Réseau des lesbiennes du Québec Executive Director Cynthia Eysséric says the organization had been frustrated with Fierté Montréal management for years. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) 'Some employees are really, really great and try to change things from the inside,' she said. 'But I just want a leadership that has courage and is willing to change something, and can take accountability for what they did and what is still going on.' At the centre of the controversy is Simon Gamache, Fierté Montréal's Executive Director. He says the criticism is being taken seriously and insists the organization is already undergoing major structural reforms. 'This toxicity that's being denounced — I do not see it in my organization,' Gamache told CTV News. 'But we hear the concerns, and we're acting on them.' Gamache says that since 2023, Fierté has adopted new bylaws and revamped its governance model, increasing participation in its General Assembly from 15 member groups to over 120. 'It's a powerful change that brings many more organizations to the table — especially when it comes to voting,' he said. 'There's something that's on us as well. We should have talked more about it, made it clearer. We went extremely fast over two years.' Gamache denies accusations about unpaid artists. Simon Gamache Simon Gamache, Fierté Montréal's Executive Director, says the organization is already undergoing major structural reforms. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) He called the wave of departures 'perplexing' given the steps already taken toward greater inclusion and representation. Fierté Montréal's board is currently conducting an internal review, and Gamache says a third-party process is also in the works. Recommendations are expected by the end of September. But for some, the damage may already be done. 'There were supposed to be changes — and supposedly that's what they did. But four or five years later, it's still the same thing,' said Eysséric. Lemrini agrees. 'They don't tell us what they're doing, so we cannot know,' she said, adding that 'they've shown us that they don't care about us.' She and other organizers are now looking to build something new — a separate Pride festival that reflects their values and lived experiences. 'Is it a festival? Is it a riot? I think it can be all of that,' said Lemrini. 'It can be a safe space and we won't have a choice but to take care of it ourselves — our own Wild Pride.'
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Fierté Montréal: A Bold Turn Toward Renewed Governance Français
MONTREAL, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Fierté Montréal is entering a pivotal new chapter with a complete overhaul of its governance model and business structure, further cementing its role as a leader in the festival ecosystem and the broader movement for diversity and inclusion. Through this major transformation, the organization has adopted a groundbreaking and inclusive structure that reflects the vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ communities it celebrates and uplifts. In May 2023, Fierté Montréal adopted new bylaws to better represent the wide network of partners it brings together, fostering deeper connections and more accurately reflecting their realities. This substantial redefinition of its membership model has grown the organization from just over a dozen individual members in 2022 to more than 120 member organizations today, encompassing actors from community, cultural, nonprofit, and economic sectors. This unique approach within the global Pride movement ensures diverse perspectives and increased stakeholder engagement. "Fierté Montréal has experienced significant growth, both in the scope of its activities and the diversity of its collaborations," explains Simon Gamache, Executive Director of Fierté Montréal. "To remain true to our mission, we have rethought our ways of working with attentiveness, boldness, and rigor. We are proud of how far we've come while remaining committed to representing our communities with integrity and openness. This transformation is the result of a collective effort led by a team determined to keep doing better." A Board That Reflects the Community, and a Resilient Business Model To strengthen its governance, Fierté Montréal has recruited a new Board of Directors that is skilled, diverse, and reflective of the various realities within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. This transparent appointment process ensures enlightened and inclusive management, aligned with the organization's mission to amplify the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Amid shifting realities in public funding for festivals, Fierté Montréal has also evolved its business model, while maintaining over 90% of its programming free of charge. A restructured production, operations, and logistics team now supports one of Canada's most complex festivals, featuring over 250 artists, a parade with more than 17,000 participants, a festival that attracts over 400,000 attendees annually, and a wide range of community events. A Diverse and Inclusive Program Through its artistic and communications initiatives, Fierté Montréal collaborates each year with over 180 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizations, within a broader network of 300 groups committed to recognition and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. The 2025 edition of the Fierté Montréal Festival—presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Loto-Québec—will once again spotlight over 250 artists, the vast majority of whom identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, with strong representation from cultural communities and allies. This reflects Montreal's current cultural richness and diversity, making the festival a powerful driver of inclusion and visibility. Programming will run from July 31 to August 10 across three hubs: Urban: Esplanade Tranquille, Place des Arts, Club Soda, Société des Arts Technologiques, MEM, and the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre at the NFB; Village: Le National, Sainte-Catherine Hall, and Sainte-Catherine Street East; Olympic: Esplanade of the Olympic Park. Notably, registrations for the Pride Parade and Community Days have doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels, highlighting renewed energy and mobilization around these flagship events. A Festival with Social Responsibility at Its Core Fierté Montréal remains deeply committed to eco-responsibility and community well-being, with action plans focused on sustainability, harm reduction, sexual harassment prevention, and the continuous improvement of accessibility. Through modern governance, inclusive programming, and a socially responsible approach, the organization continues to position itself as an essential voice in celebrating and advancing the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. About Fierté Montréal Since 2007, Fierté Montréal has amplified the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to ensure their representation, inclusion, and the recognition of their rights in society. Through its festival, community initiatives, and artistic and cultural projects, the organization celebrates the creativity and resilience of these communities and acts as a driver of social change. In close collaboration with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, Fierté Montréal brings their struggles and lived experiences to the public and institutional spheres. Fierté Montréal's events take place on Tiotia:ke, the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation. We recognize the Kanien'kehá:ka as the custodians of these lands and waters, and honour the enduring connection between Indigenous Peoples and all members of the Montreal community—past, present, and future.
