“Crisis” of pride: Manon Massé is calling for dialogue

Manon Massé, the deputy for the gay village and the communities LGBTQ+ (as she likes to introduce herself), thinks that the advent of a new actor, indomitable pride, which aims to be more political, more intersectional, more community and less commercial than pride Montreal, is not negative in itself. Meanwhile, On the contrary, she sees it as a diversification of the expressed voices.

At the heart of the elements raised by the emergence of a parallel festival. For example, or “of resistance” to that of Montreal pride, questions are necessary: should organizations representing pride position themselves in solidarity on political and humanitarian crises-for example war and famine in Palestinian territory-which are raging in the world? Furthermore, If they do, do “crisis” pride: manon massé calling they turn away from their primary mission of defense of queer rights and struggles?

Is a single festival enough for all members of the community to feel well represented LGBTQ+? In addition, And above all. For example, is the current divisions within the Queer movement in Quebec weaken it, while the rights of its members are in decline in many places in the world?

Manon Massé does not veil his eyes and recognizes that sharp tensions are present. Similarly, In Quebec currently, there is a crisis that is lived. For example, […] The festive dimension. However, the political dimension do not always coexist easily and that’s it, I think, that we are called to solve as a movementshe summarizes.

There, the brothel is pognated “crisis” pride: manon massé calling because the groups feel that they must choose [un camp ou l’autre]. She understands why the groups feel torn. Meanwhile, It is because we have not yet made a reflection. Similarly, largely as a community, on the role of a festival, the place of political claims and the necessary alliance if we want to resist the rise of the right that attacks usshe explains.

She loudly launches a call to dialogue and go with your elbows.

After the festivities. Meanwhile, I call the whole community to sit and ask the question: what do we want to do for the rest of things? Similarly, Because dividing as you currently do gives too much ease to the right which wants to tackle our rights.

"crisis" pride: manon massé calling – "crisis" pride: manon massé calling

Back on pride not like the others – "crisis" pride: manon massé calling

The war in Gaza had already invited itself last. Furthermore, year to the Montreal pride parade: a Propalestinian group had interrupted the parade to denounce the presence of pro-Israeli groups.

This time. Nevertheless, Marlot Marleau, who was catapulted at the head of the organization only a few days ago, in the middle of a festival, following an internal earthquake which led to the departure of his predecessor and two other members of the board of directors, had to juggle the emergence of the indomitable pride festival.

At the origin of the discord between the two groups responsible for these festivals. Nevertheless, there is, among other things, the refusal – for a long time – of pride of Montreal to position itself on war and famine in Palestinian “crisis” pride: manon massé calling territory. For example, If the discontent has been raging for two years, the schism took place only a few months ago.

But what is the link between the struggle LGBTQ+ “crisis” pride: manon massé calling And the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? However, Part of the answer lies in the pinkwashingor the instrumentalization of the Queer community. For example, explains Yara Coussa, one of the co -organizers of the new indomitable pride festival.

The state of Israel says it is the only place [sécuritaire] for a person LGBTQ+ In the Middle East and justifies her actions through Queer identity, says the young lesbian and Arabic woman. Moreover, My identity will not be used to justify a genocide. Consequently, And I think there are many people who see it like that in our community.

Aicha Sterling. a trans woman also coorganizing indomitable pride, adds that the nascent organization is as representative as possible of all members of the queer community in their intersectionality, that is “crisis” pride: manon massé calling to say their multiple identities.

She explains that the Trans community feels badly defended and protected by major organizations as Montreal pride. It is disappointing to see organizations which are also giant not to take a firm position compared to trans violence. Hence the idea of creating a space where the Trans community really feels represented.

When lesbian people. trans people no longer feel represented in a movement; When the Arab people, the racialized people, the black people are no longer represented, who do Montreal represent?

The new number one in pride Montreal, Marlot Marleau, welcomes this new player by saying that there is room for all voices, but does not accept all the reproaches. The question “should it be the biggest party of the year. or is it going to be an organization that also has political ideas?”, In my opinion, it is a “crisis” pride: manon massé calling false debate. Pride is both: it’s both spaces where you can celebrate. meet, but it is also a place where you have to put the claims of the communities.

"crisis" pride: manon massé calling – "crisis" pride: manon massé calling

Groups excluded from the fence parade. then reingans

To try to defuse the dispute on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pride Montreal finally said, a few hours before the start of the festival, which she condemned the genocide in Gaza And that she banished three organizations from the parade, two Jews and an Iranian, for having made hateful remarks. However. it quickly reversed in front of general dissatisfaction, some finding their insufficient position, others denounce the exclusion without clear justification of a public event advocating inclusion.

Marlot Marleau recognizes that this situation could have been better managed. This decision sent a message to a whole community that was “crisis” pride: manon massé calling perhaps excluded on the basis of their faith. And it was never intention. That’s why, when I got into office, I decided to take measures to correct the situationhe says.

It is sure that there are things that could have been better. done. Then I think that what makes the strength for the richness of Montreal pride is to be able to recognize it. to ask questions, then to improve our processes.

Carlos Godoy, the president of Ga’ava, who represents the Jews members of the community LGBTQ+ In Quebec, criticizes the way in which its organization has been dealt with. So many “crisis” pride: manon massé calling people told me that they felt excluded because of their Jewish identity. And it was very very hurtful.

He is still happy with the resolution. saying that he was satisfied to have received apologies from Montreal pride and look forward to [de faire partie] From the parade of pride again this year.

However, he believes that Montreal pride will come out of this experience.

[Ça] will have caused damage that will be very difficult to repair [au niveau] of the image of pride Montreal. [au niveau] of the image of the community LGBTQIA+.

Yara coussa of indomitable pride, she is neither surprised nor impressed with the change of CAP operated by pride Montreal concerning the excluded groups and then reingans. For her, the argument of inclusion as defended by pride of Montreal does not hold water. Inclusion is not to include everyone, it is [faire en “crisis” pride: manon massé calling sorte] That people in communities feel more safe. Personally, when I see an Israeli flag, I see the flag of a country that [commet un] apartheid.

Marlot Marleau feels that her organization is sort of stuck between the tree. the bark, between two political positions that are difficult to reconcile. He therefore tries to refocus the debate around questions related to gender and sexual identity. The communities were telling us about the situation that is taking place right now in Palestine. It is normal that we are more sensitive to this question at the moment […] But either we should not neglect the primary mission of Montreal pride which is to put forward our claims. create spaces for our communities.

Pride Montreal is shaken, but tries to keep a head high … and to continue the party. Marlot Marleau refuses to think that this pride at “crisis” pride: manon massé calling least agitated will endanger the survival of his organization. There are always people who will predict the death of Montreal pride. They have been doing it for almost 20 years, then we are still there.

I do not think we “crisis” pride: manon massé calling are in danger. but I think there is always a risk that exceeds pride of Montreal. The danger is the rise of hatred. the rise of homophobia, the rise of transphobia, that is a danger that is real.

"crisis" pride: manon massé calling – "crisis" pride: manon massé calling

After the festivities. sit, think and ally

Yara Coussa, of indomitable pride, is sorry to feel the heartbreak in her community, but this situation is not only dark, she says. It’s hard to see that there are so many fights in our community, but it may be healthy too. It’s healthy to have dissident speeches. Additionally, It is healthy to remind the population that we are not a [bloc] monolith.

We will have to learn to collaborate and coexistinsists Marlot Marleau, of pride Montreal. It will be super important because our struggles are cheerful. Our ways of doing things, they will differ. But the objective is the same: we want security spaces for our communities. We want to be able to exist. We want rights.

Manon Massé, she hopes that pride will conclude without more hinds. But above all, she wants her call to dialogue to be heard by all.

Maybe that it is more difficult, more tense. I am here to sow hope, then say no, gang, it does not end on August 10! […] We will roll up our sleeves because it is not the first time that it happens in our history. and because the place of each of these visions is necessary and must exist.

We must find how. with all “crisis” pride: manon massé calling our great diversity, we will place the pieces so that 2026 is in solidity and in force, not in vulnerability.

In life, from any crisis emerges something bigger. And I trust that this is what will happen after festivalsshe concludes wisely.