Montréal Pride unveils three cultural events for AIDS 2022

Photo credit : © Fierté Montréal

1. A tribute to the millions who have died

The show, “Rapture”, will be held to coincide with AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference, and as a prelude to the Montréal Pride Festival. “Rapture” will showcase 10 performers in an atypical contemporary dance work evoking societal hostility towards members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and people living with HIV (2SLGBTQIA+ stands for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual and other affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify). It is a tribute to the millions of people who have died due to AIDS, intertwining accounts by people who continue to counter serophobia (the fear or disdain of people living with HIV) and the HIV epidemic.

Pride Montréal Executive Director Simon Gamache reminds us that AIDS 1989, the 5th International AIDS Conference, also held in Montréal, “was marked by a social mobilization that, on the floor of the Palais des congrès, initiated a transformation of the relationship between medicine and society”. Scientists could no longer ignore the voices of people living with HIV.

“Rapture blends commemoration, pain and resilience and aims to remind us of the remarkable advances of the past 33 years,” Simon explains. “Dave St-Pierre and many talented artists are joining forces with Montréal Pride to present conference delegates and Montréalers with events inspired by the pain of those affected, the mobilization of activists, and the dedication of researchers.”

Presented by Gilead, 10 performances will take place from 27 July to 6 August at Le Monastère at 19:00. Tickets are on sale at https://www.thepointofsale.com/tickets/rapture

2. Exhibition: “Art, Activism and Resilience” in Village Montréal, an inclusive district, and online

As part of AIDS 2022, the Montréal Pride Festival is once again partnering with Gallea, Canada’s largest online art gallery, to present “Art, Activism and Resilience”, an exclusive collection of original works that will highlight visual artists from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities from around the world. This inspiring and educational exhibition aims to explore HIV and AIDS through the activism and resilience in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, as well as sexual health. Visitors will be invited to discover 100 works in the online gallery on the same site; 22 of these works will be physically displayed on outdoor panels in Village Montréal, an inclusive district where everyone is respected and has access to the same opportunities, from 13 June to 1 September 2022.

3. An experimental documentary at the PHI Center

The Montréal Pride Festival and the PHI Center will present INVERSE/THE FUTURE IS OFTEN A STEP BEHIND, an experimental documentary exhibit in three tableaus. The exhibit questions the prevailing assimilation of 2SLGBTQIA+ identities and is on display at the PHI Center from 30 June to 28 August. Admission is free.

The documentary presents a multigenerational portrait of queer communities through the daily lives of participants in New York City. It highlights fluidity and change, both in gender and sexuality and our understanding of them. This work by Nicolas Jenkins is also a reminder that we have not moved beyond racism, sexism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia and the stigma of HIV and AIDS.

About Montréal Pride

The 15th edition of the Montréal Pride Festival will take place from 1 to 7 August on the Esplanade of the Olympic Park and the main site, as well as in the Village Montréal and downtown.

Since 2007, the festival has been promoting rights of Montréal’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and celebrating their cultural richness and social progress. This largest gathering of sexual- and gender-diverse people in the French-speaking world serves as a beacon of hope for people living in areas hostile to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Montréal Pride is based in Tiohtia:ke on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. Organizers recognize her as the custodian of the lands and waters on which they gather. Tiohtia:ke is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, a diverse Aboriginal population, as well as other peoples, reside here. It is with respect for the connections to the past, present and future that Montréal Pride organizers recognize the ongoing relationships between Aboriginal peoples and others in the Montréal community.

Montréal Pride expresses its sincere thanks to Gilead, presenter of Rapture, as well as its cultural partners, Gallea, Le Monastère and the PHI Centre, for this programming in connection with AIDS 2022.

The Montréal Pride Festival thanks its loyal partners: TD Bank Group (partner since 2008); the Casino de Montréal; the Gouvernment du Québec; the Ville de Montréal, the Government of Canada; Tourisme Montréal; Fido; the SAQ; Air Canada; the STM; Fugues; the Olympic Park; RÉMI; and SDC Village Montréal.

Read about these events in French.