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Montreal, August 17, 2015 – Montreal Pride is undoubtedly the summer gathering that cannot be missed when it comes to a singular event where thousands of people stand and march together in solidarity with the LGBTQ communities. The Montreal festival, which is one of the largest LGBTQ celebrations in the French-speaking world, is also about raising awareness that the struggle for true equality for heterosexual, homosexual and transgender people still has far to go, despite the progress that has already been made.

This year, as in the past several years, UFCW had a booth and display area on rue (‘‘street’’) Sainte-Catherine on Saturday August 15, the day that was dedicated to the community. A festive day, first and foremost, it also provided a great opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges that LGBTQ members experience both at work and in their everyday life. Not only did we welcome our members at the TUAC Québec (‘‘UFCW in Quebec’’) display, it is also where the public and many high-profile guests came to show their support for LGBTQ equality.

For this ninth edition, the celebration reached its peak during the Pride Parade on Sunday. UFCW Quebec activists proudly marched in the gold colours of our great union, and joined thousands of other community members parading energetically along the 2.5 kilometre route through central Montreal.

‘‘Today we have gathered and we are strong and united in speaking with a single proud voice, standing in solidarity with all our diverse membership and allies, said TUAC Québec Provincial Council President and UFCW Canada Local 500 President Antonio Filato.

“Year after year, our representation in this event is getting stronger and stronger. Our participation in the Montréal Pride celebration is one of the milestones that can’t be overlooked when it comes to our many actions and our genuine commitment on behalf of LGBTQ workers,’’ said Brother Filato.

‘‘Diversity, acceptance, equality and inclusion are vital to our mission as Canada’s most progressive union,” said Anouk Collet, UFCW Canada’s regional director for Quebec.  “We stand with all our members for safe and inclusive workplaces and communities that are free of any kind of discrimination or exploitation.”