Wild Pride March
Why March? Because our struggles are far from over, still in 2025 - Some have forgotien our roots and traded struggle for respectability. Too many have given in to the recognition of corporations that fund wars, occupations and pipelines - corporations complicit in genocide, from Turtie Island to Palestine. Governments are working to divide us and Toll back trans rights, all whilst blaming the rise of homophobia on other groups of people - as Quebec does through the so-called Comité des sages and by making the muslim community their scapegoat.
But we haven't forgotten -
1n 1977, Truxx har is raided - 146 arrests. In 1990, police raid a queer party at Sex Garage - the street becomes our stage of resistance.
Today, our lives are still under attack and we reject sanitized parades funded hy those who oppress us and use “queerness” to futlill their imperialist agendas.We want to offer an unapologetic march, a grieving march, radical, joyful and rooted in our values.
We will not give a second of our time to corporate pride. Our march is going in another direction—literally and in spirit.
Last year, using other tactics, groups like Helem Montréal, Mubaadarat, Independent Jewish Voices of Montreal, and FAGS challenged the corporate parade with courage and determination.This year, it's not even worth trying. We have no plans to take any action against the parade.
Many are asking if we collaborate with the police. The answer is no—and we are not legally required to do so.
Municipal bylaw P-6, which once required submitting a route to the authorities, is no longer valid. Since 2019, no law requires us to collaborate with the SPVM to organize a peaceful demonstration.
We share our itinerary publicly, not to submit ourselves, but to take care. It is a gesture of community transparency, not institutional collaboration.
So that people can organize safely, assess their limits, and feel welcome—including families, people with disabilities, migrants, and immunocompromised individuals.
To Fady Dagher and the SPVM: We will march in peace. Will you respond with violence?
Whose streets? Our streets.
Masks
Masks are strongly encouraged during the march to help keep our communities safe.
There will be a mask-mandatory section at the front of the march. Please respect this space to keep it as accessible as possible for immunocompromised and disabled community members.
Wheelchairs
We’ve secured two wheelchairs for those who may need them.
If this would be helpful to you, please write to us in advance. If necessary, we will try to find more.
Breaks + Rest Points
There will be pauses during the march to reflect on important historic spots along the way.
After about 1.5 km, those who wish to do so will have the opportunity to stop and wait for the rest of the group at the end point. Team members will be there to welcome you and wait for the post-walk celebration.
START: PLACE DES ARTS
The current Place des Arts and its surroundings were once home to semi-tolerated speakeasies, such as the Harlida.
Stop 1: 1422 Peel Street — Downbeat Club (1959)
On August 27, 1959, a historic gathering at the Downbeat Club's “Tropical Room” broke an important taboo: gay men danced together publicly for the first time in Montreal in honour of La Monroe (Armand Larrivée)’s 24th birthday. At a time when homosexuality was criminalized, this party was a radical act of joy and resistance. This moment is now recognized as a milestone in our community history.
Stop 2: 1428–1430 Stanley Street — Raids on Truxx & Le Mystique (1977)
In October 1977, police raided the leather bars Truxx and Le Mystique, arresting 146 men. The next day, more than 2,000 people, members of the queer community and allies, took to the streets to protest police harassment. This mobilization led to a major breakthrough: the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms—a first in Canada.
We invite all Queer groups, no matter the size, and individuals to join us.