Official launch of the 2014 edition of Montréal Pride, presented by TD - August 11 to 17, 2014

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 11, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Building on the success of previous years, Montréal Pride, presented by TD Bank Group, is back for an 8th edition from August 11 to 17, 2014. With almost 80 scheduled events, this year's program of activities includes many new additions that are sure to offer something for everyone. There are new free shows at Place Émilie-Gamelin, Pride Day at La Ronde, a concert-event presented by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, movies under the stars and a nighttime version of the Pink Dot event, all designed to showcase the diversity and vitality of the LGBT community.

Montréal's Pride's flagship events, Community Day and the Pride Parade, presented by Viagra, will be held on Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17, respectively. For a second year in a row, the Pride Parade theme will be inspired by a colour of the rainbow flag. This year, orange—the flag's second colour—inspires the theme, "Our Flag, Our Fire." Orange symbolizes healing, vitality, energy, well-being, warmth, health and hope. This year marks the 30^th Pride march that has been held in Montréal.

Montréal Pride's mission is to underscore the advances made by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in a festive way, while raising public awareness of the injustices and inequalities that persist throughout the world. "In 77 countries, the mere fact of being an LGBT person is punishable by fines, corporal punishment, imprisonment or even death. As long as we do not all have legal and social equality, we will continue our mission to work for better future," said Eric Pineault, President of Montréal Pride. "This year also marks the 45^th anniversary of Stonewall, which was the watershed moment for the modern LGBT rights movement."

TD, a loyal partner in the festivities
For the fifth year in a row, Montréal Pride is proud to have the unwavering support of TD Bank Group, the presenting sponsor for the event. "We are delighted to be able to count on the support of TD, a company that is truly exemplary in their policies of inclusion and diversity," said Éric Pineault, president of Montréal Pride.

"Everyone is welcome at TD," said Drew Wawin, District Vice-President, South Shore at TD Canada Trust and a member of TD's LGBTA Committee for the past two years. "We sincerely believe that diversity is a reflection of the richness of our society. We are proud to wave the rainbow flag."

As always, TD will play an active role in this year's festivities. On Thursday, August 14, kids will have the chance to unleash their creativity on TD's monster mural. On Saturday, August 16, festival-goers will get a full photo experience at the TD booth in the company of drag queen Michel Dorion and the TD comfort crew. And true to tradition, the Bank and its employees will join the parade with their very own contingent of marchers on Sunday, August 17.

Throughout the duration of the festival, TD will set up a mobile ATM and misting station for everyone's convenience and comfort. Last but not least, TD will offer festival-goers a chance to win a trip to Pride in New York City in 2015, or to WorldPride, in Madrid in 2017. 

Spokesperson and Grand Marshals
Montréal Pride is delighted to welcome back Jasmin Roy as spokesperson again this year. Actor, radio/television host, author and director, Roy is a local star and one of Québec's most successful artists. 2010 was a banner year for Roy, who released his book, Osti de Fif, and established La Fondation Jasmin Roy, an organization dedicated to fighting bullying in schools. Roy has always championed the cause of social recognition for the LGBT community in Montréal and around the world.

Montréal Pride is proud to welcome five Grand Marshals who have each contributed to the advancement of LGBT human rights. Our two international Grand Marshals are Peter Tatchell, world-renowned LGBT and human-rights activist from the United Kingdom, and Boban Stojanović, human rights activist from Serbia and organizer of Belgrade Pride Parade. Hailing from Canada, the three other Grand Marshals are Dr. Réjean Thomas, a clinical physician and champion of HIV prevention, research and quality of life for people with AIDS; Françoise Susset, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist specializing in work with couples and families; and Patricia Jean, director of Arc-en-ciel d'Afrique, a non-profit organization whose mission is to defend the rights and well-being of Afro-Caribbean members of the LGBT community.

Montréal Pride's 2014 program has three key components:

• The Community and Human Rights component includes various conferences that aim to provide information and defend equal rights. It also includes LGBT community meetings and celebrations, such as Community Day.
• The Cultural component comprises art exhibits, literary evenings, theatre performances, music events, cinema and dance.
• The Festive component is all about free shows, DJs, parties and, of course, the Pride Parade.

New this year
With more than 80 events on the program, Montréal Pride is offering several new activities for 2014.

Montréal Pride is pleased to partner with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM). Maestro Kent Nagano will present his new concert-event, A Quiet Place, a three-act American opera. Composed by Leonard Bernstein, the opera will be performed by the OSM and 10 soloists. This exceptional presentation takes place on Friday, August 15, 2014, at 8 pm.

An all-new show will take the stage at Place Émilie-Gamelin on Wednesday, August 13, at 7:30 pm. Et si l'Amour..., presented by Viagra, is a hymn to the battle against homophobia. Hosted by Marleen Menard, the event will star 17 special guests: Laurence Jalbert, Joe Bocan, Luba, Kim Richardson, Lulu Hughes, Rick Hughes, Mado, Stéphane Moraille, Gardy Fury, Stéphanie Bédard, Julie Massicotte, Sandy Duperval, Wiz Kilo, Dr Draw, François Dagenais, Gabryelle Frappier and Paul Mathieu.

And for the first time, Montréal Pride is organizing Pride Day at La Ronde amusement park. This exciting activity kicks off at 11 am on Friday, August 15, 2014.

Significant economics spin-off benefits
For the 2013 edition of Montréal Pride, total attendance of 462,500 generated 34,000 room nights in Greater Montréal hotels. The direct economic benefit is estimated at $12 million for governments, with $1.2 million in QST and 600,000 in GST.

The $1.9 million budget (in cash and services) for the 2014 edition breaks down as follows:

• 70% from our private partners
• 11% from sales to festival-goers (food and beverage, merchandise, bracelets, voluntary contributions)
• City of Montréal: 4% in cash and 7% in services and logistical support
• Government of Québec: 6.5%
• Government of Canada: 1.5%

Thanks to our partners
Montréal Pride is grateful for the generous support of our partners: TD Bank Group, the presenting sponsor of the event, Viagra, the official sponsor of the parade, the Government of Québec, the City of Montréal, the Borough of Ville-Marie, Tourisme Montréal, Canadian Heritage, la SDC du Village, Coors Light, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Trojan, Nissan Prestige, Winners, VIA Rail, Eska Water, Mojo, Fugues, Guide Arc-en-ciel, NI Corporation, Depotium, and the following hotels: Gouverneur Place Dupuis, Lord Berri, Delta Montréal, W Montréal, ALT Hôtel Montréal Griffintown and St-Martin Hôtel Particulier Centre-ville. We would also like to thank our media partners: Virgin Radio 96, NRJ, CTV Montréal, OUTtv, EDGE Media Network, Spartacus, Männer, Touristiquement Gay, Les Tubbies, Altercité and Gayradiobec.com.

About Montréal Pride
Founded in 2007 as an initiative of Montréal's LGBT community, Montréal Pride is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the largest LGBT gathering in Québec each year, to support and promote our local community and to serve as a beacon of hope for LGBT communities around the world who continue to battle oppression and injustice. Each year, Montréal Pride organizes a week of cultural and community activities, including the Pride Parade and Community Day, to celebrate the advancements made by the LGBT community while sensitizing the general public about the various issues to be addressed to eliminate homophobia, both here and in countries around the world. In 2012, some 327,000 people participated in the festivities, making Montréal Pride one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. More information about Fierté Montréal is available on the Montréal Pride website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@fierteMTLpride).

TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2013, TD donated more than $74.7 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.

Image with caption: "Left to right: Mr. Éric Pineault, President of the Montréal Pride Celebrations, Mr. Drew Wawin, District Vice President, South Shore, TD Canada Trust, Mr. Jasmin Roy, spokesperson, and Jean-Sébastien Boudreault, Vice President of the Montréal Pride Celebrations. (CNW Group/Montréal Pride Celebrations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140811_C1333_PHOTO_EN_4779.jpg

SOURCE: Montréal Pride Celebrations

Lynn Habel, Communications Director, Montréal Pride, [email protected], Tel.: [phone] ext. 3523, Cell.: 514-833-2859; Jean-François Perrier, Marketing Director, Montréal Pride, [email protected], Tel.: [phone] ext. 3524, Cell.: 438-821-3978; www.fiertemontrealpride.com