Not to be confused with the city's long-running Divers/Cite festival, held in late July and early August, the Montreal Gay and Lesbian Communiy Day & Parade was formed by the nonprofit Celebrations LGBTA Montreal organization in 2007 and celebrates its third year from August 13 to August 16, 2009 (about two weeks after Divers/Cite, which is more of a gay arts and culture festival). Montreal has a rich history of Gay Pride events dating back many years, and this young but fast-growing celebration marks an exciting development in the city's gay rights tradition.
Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in Montreal during Gay Pride
Here's a quick preview of Pride Celebrations Montreal in 2009.
The festivities take place over four days, from Thursday, August 13, through Sunday August 16, with events centered on the Gay Village, and in particular, Parc Emilie-Gamelin. Here's a map showing parade route and events locales.
The key events are Community Day on Saturday, August 15, from 11 am until 6 pm along rue Ste-Catherine E, and featuring presentations by dozens of community groups and organizations. Then on Sunday, August 16, there's a Montreal Gay Pride Parade alone blvd. Rene-Levesque, commencing at 1 pm.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check the city's great gay resources, such as Tourism Montreal's Gay Website and the Montreal is Gay online guide to the city.
