The Failures of Fierté MTL

“The first pride was a riot”  so the slogan goes. It’s aim is to remind people that the origins of pride celebrations were within the Stonewall Uprising when gay community members in New York City defended themselves against the police raid of Stonwwall Inn, a popular gay bar. All pride marches emanate from that moment of radical queer resistance. Though some believe that Pride parades today have strayed far from that original fiery political moment. Montreal’s queer communities are tackling this question. Alternative Pride events have risen contrasting themselves against the mainstream Fierté Montreal. This year saw the first iteration of Wild Pride, billed as “a radical, anti-colonial, anti-capitalist, anticorporate, and uncompromising Pride”. Wild Pride has emerged as a longer festival of queerness rooted in community rather than corporations. It’s also gained much traction after Fierté came under fire for a lack of position on the genocide in palestine, and for awkward choices and statements made to try to remedy these malaises. 

Another pride event, Rad Pride also saw its third iteration this year. Rad Pride was met with extremely heightened police violence, with participants and observers saying that the Montreal police force, the SPVM, used excessive force to interrupt the event. Tear gas was used indiscriminately and other members of the public who were not involved with Rad Pride, were affected by tear gas, including children.

Is pride a riot? Is it a party? Today on Metropolis, host Kalden Dhatsenpa asks this question and others to Celeste Trianon, a transfeminine jurist and activist who has been following these pride developments for years. What is the future of Pride? Tune in for the full conversation.