Beyond the comically shit handling of the Palestine issue, the over-sanitized, corporate-tinged and PR sponsorship focused nature of Fierté is beginning to turn people off. For an increasing number of those in the LGBTQ+ community, pride is being pinkwashed.
The rival festival, driven by volunteers and grassroots funding, features dozens of community events, from panels on queer video games, dance nights, stand-up comedy and musical performance. Rather than ignoring the collapsing Fierté festival, this community decided to build something in its ruins.
A Weekend of Extreme Police Violence, Disruption of Fierté MTL’s Parade and the Promise of an Alternative Pride Festival
I had a long and extremely violent weekend. I was severely beaten by SPVM riot police with batons and once again soaked in pepper spray - but that seems to be par for the course for me these days.