Montréal Pride Festival – 360 Edition
7 Days, 7 Themes with Ambassadors Reflecting The Spirit of Our Communities

Montréal, July 10, 2020 – The Montréal Pride festival, presented by TD, today unveiled the themes and the names of the Ambassadors who will spearhead the daily activities of the festival’s 360 Edition presented between August 10 and 16, 2020, throughout its various platforms. Every day, a main-theme will be structured through a series of vox pops, informational capsules, presentations and, of course, through festive activities in which the ambassador of the day will be called on to participate and even, to interact with festivalgoers!

“Under the present circumstances, no matter the distance that may separate us or the social aspect of the types of discrimination our communities must face, it is essential to provide a global representation of the situation by operating a real 360 so that they may all promote and advocate for their social and political claims. This is why several themes are being featured this year and we can rely on a diverse team both on stage and behind the scenes!” the founding president of the Montréal Pride festival, Éric Pineault stated.

The following ambassadors were announced this morning along with the daily theme they will be proudly representing:

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Monday August 10 – Family Constellations, presented by Fido

Annie Pullen Sansfaçon, Ph.D., full professor at the School of Social Work of the Université de Montréal and holder of the Canada Research Chair on Transgendered Children and their Families.

• Fortunately, the situation of the families of the sexual and gender diversity (SGD) is evolving but issues regarding their visibility and the full recognition of their rights in particular, still persist. A full day dedicated to the diversity within the families of our communities!

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Tuesday, August 11 – FemmXs, the inspiring women of the SGD, presented by TD

Elle Barbara, singer-songwriter, song selector (TS Ellise), pin-up, author, speaker, producer, performance artist and avant-garde curator based in Montréal.

• FemmXs, new concept or century old realities finally recognized in a language based on patriarchy? A day allowing all persons of the female diversity to take to the public space and make their claims heard as well as, naturally, to celebrate!

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Wednesday August 12 – The Bear-Leather-Fetish Communities, presented by Trojan

Dominique Lavergne, Ms Leather Montréal 2017, Honorary Co-chair of the 2018 festival and activist.

• The Bear-Leather-Fetish communities enjoy a visibility that is too often reductive, being limited to the distribution of supposedly shocking photos. An opportunity to learn more on the practices and especially, on the philosophy behind them and to deconstruct the prejudices still associated with them!

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Thursday, August 13 – Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (QTBIPOC)

Ngabo. Congolese-Canadian singer-songwriter, Ngabo has been part of the Quebec music scene since his arrival in America at the turn of the century, around 2000.

• QTBIPOC persons are the group who initiated the Pride movement over 50 years ago. However, they do not always receive the visibility they deserve nor do they obtain the full recognition of their rights that they merit. A day of advocacy in an era where inequalities are being denounced by our communities.

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Friday, August 14 – Drag Communities, presented by TD

Miss Butterfly, one of Montréal nightlife’s renowned drag queens! Born in Beyrouth, Lebanon in 1980, Miss Butterfly has lived in Montréal for 30 years. This flickering drag queen who emerged from her cocoon at the turn of the century, has flown from one show to the next, mesmerizing the four corners of the globe!

• A day with a more festive theme but oh, so rich in its diversity! The drag queen communities have evolved at a breathtaking pace, multiplying their various facets and the scope of their art. A chance to discover the many faces of drag as well as to learn more about their contribution to society!

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Saturday, August 15 – Showcasing our different realities

Rosie Bourgeoisie, costume designer, professor, producer, influencer and queer activist. Dynamic, glamorous and feminine, they spares no effort to keep you on edge. Pierre-Olivier Beaulac Bouchard, a native of the Lac St.Jean region, he was born deaf in a family with normal hearing, a multidisciplinary artist who has mastered song, dance, song sign language, improvisation and visual art on canvas.

• Our communities with the richness of their diversity do not obviously enjoy the same visibility and vulnerable populations are thus unfortunately forgotten, even rendered invisible. This day aims to provide a showcase, a safe space for the transfer of knowledge and of experiences, a voice as well as a face for these communities.

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Sunday, August 16 – Pride Festivities, presented by Casino de Montréal

Sandy Duperval, singer, DJ, music producer and Montréal Pride’ spokesperson

• The final Sunday of the Pride festival, the day when the Parade, the T-Dance and headlining performances usually take place, mobilizing huge crowds and allowing for the display of the strength and spirit of kindness of our communities. This year, let us celebrate together, keeping our distance and gathering as the one big family we all belong to!

About the Montréal Pride Festival
Since 2007, at the initiative of Montréal’s LGBTQ+ communities, the Montréal Pride Festival has been promoting their rights and celebrating their cultural richness and social advances. The largest gathering of the communities of sexual and gender diversity (SGD) in the Francophone world works locally on a daily basis while serving as a beacon of hope for people living in LGBTQ+ hostile regions of the globe. In 2019, the festival generated a total attendance of 3.4 million admissions. In 2020, the festivities will be held from August 10 to 16. More information is available on the web page, the Facebook page, as well as Twitter and Instagram accounts.

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François Laberge
Communications Director
[email protected]
514 779-6134

For interview requests
Nathalie Roy
Consultant, Media Relations
[email protected]
514 889-3622