Fierté Montréal Released Its Festival Program & It's Hotter Than The Heatwave
2020 has definitely brought its challenges. But it's also brought some beautiful displays of coming together and uniting as one. And if there's an example of coming together, it's the annual Montreal Pride Festival. But this year, Fierté Montréal is switching things up by making it virtual.
On July 17, the world's largest francophone festival celebrating sexual and gender diversity (SGD) announced its official programming for its 360 Edition, which will be presented by TD and will take place from August 10-16.
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Of course, like all Montreal festivals this year, Pride has had to come up with a new way to celebrate virtually.
But if there's ever been a festival that is beaming with creativity and the desire to put on a show, it's this one.
This year, the festival is celebrating "Diversity at Home" and honouring the year we never thought we would have, including all of the good and all of the struggles we continue to fight.
Daily festivities will begin with a presentation on the festival's Facebook page from Deepak Kashyap, a psychotherapist in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), focusing on the mental health aspects of SGD.
At 10 a.m. the YouTube Channel will host the Afro Pride Hour, curated by Uwayo Dushime, showing solidarity with the Black Trans Lives Matter Movement and offering history and context on the SGD experience of black queer women.
Starting at noon, every day will be a different theme, in what is known as "7 days - 7 themes - 7 universes" presented on MAtv.
According to the festival, "Each day of Montréal’s Pride Week will be associated with a different theme of the sexual and gender diversity with unique activities and shows for a full 360 coverage of these issues with the collaboration of ambassadors reflecting each theme."
Themes include "Different Realities," "Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (QTBIPOC)," "Drag Communities," and more.
Speaking of drag, don't be surprised if you see some familiar drag faces.
Including some from as the cast of Canada's Drag Race, Montreal's Miss Butterfly, and the Queen of the North, herself, Brooke Lynn Hytes.
Other stars making an appearance include Adam Lambert, Melissa Etheridge, Ngabo and Backxwash.
Also included in the program are a nightly dance party, the Crave Collection: "Celebrating Pride", and Fierté littéraire - Diversity from A to Z, presented by FIDO.
Although this year's pride will look different than years past (last year saw 3.4 million attendees), this year will no doubt have the same heart and passion for celebrating love and individuality.
Happy Pride, everyone!
This cover photo was used for illustrative purposes only.