Groups cut ties with Fierté Montréal, say organization no longer represents them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obtained by CBC, 10 organizations representing queer and lesbian groups in Quebec criticized Fierté Montréal, saying it no longer represents them and its practices are unacceptable.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.