In Cap-aux-Meules, in the Îles de la Madeleine, for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the committee Vent de fierté, in collaboration with the Municipalité des Îles, will hold the LGBTQ+ flag-raising ceremony on Friday, May 15, at the Municipalité des Îles town hall, from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm.
This activity is designed as a moment of gathering, visibility and solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities, as well as an opportunity to collectively reaffirm the importance of respect, inclusion and the fight against all forms of discrimination.
Full details about the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2910079679384222/
Also in the Îles, on May 17, the committee Vent de Fierté sets up at L'Abri de la Tempête, the Étang-du-Nord microbrewery, for a memorable evening marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
On the agenda: A totally queer vibe, great beer and lots of pride. The motto: BE FABULOUS. We want to see your best looks! You're all invited to celebrate the diversity of the archipelago. Free event.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1527876618835049
In Bonaventure, Gaspésie, the Bonaventure City Council adopted a resolution supporting the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, held each year on May 17.
To mark the occasion, the public and media are invited to a rainbow flag-raising on Thursday, May 14, starting at 9 a.m. in front of Bonaventure City Hall. The flag will be raised on the City Hall flagpole for a few days as a sign of solidarity, inclusion, and respect for people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
The organization LGBT+ Baie-des-Chaleurs will be there to present its services and its commitment to the community.
In Rivière-du-Loup, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, May 17th was chosen to host the 2nd edition of the Pride Fair & BBQ at RDL, held at the Parc urbain de la Cité et du Campus, starting at 3 p.m.
It's the Uniphare organization and the Comité Fierté de Rivière-du-Loup et du Kamouraska who invite the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to a festive gathering to celebrate diversity! The organizers expect a large turnout to make pride visible and fight together against homophobia and transphobia!
Plenty of activities for the whole family, including a free BBQ at the end of the day. Tables, kiosks, a small craft market, face painting for everyone, a Set Queeré dance with music, skill games, etc.
Moved to Collège Notre-Dame in case of rain.
More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/1138316358428784
In Sherbrooke, Gris Estrie is making the most of Sherbrooke Youth Month to open its doors on Sunday, May 17th.
An opportunity to discover its mission or its premises and team at 1255, rue Daniel, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
Young people are invited to a free brunch to kick off the day. It's the perfect opportunity to see how you can get involved in the community and, perhaps, find a new way to connect with us.
All the details are here: https://17mai2026-gris-estrie.my.canva.site/portes-ouvertes-website
In Trois-Rivières, on Sunday, May 17, the GRIS Mauricie Centre-du-Québec is holding the 9th edition of its march. The march starts at Parc Champlain.
Fierté Agricole will have a booth to meet members of the LGBTQ+ community from noon onward.
Several organizations will be on site. For full details, see the website: https://grismcdq.org/ensemble/
By Pierre Perreault
April 2026
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Promoting “living together” and contributing to the well-being of LGBTQ+ people is what motivates and drives the organizers of the 4th edition of Fierté Charlevoix. The event's program, presented as a week of raising awareness about LGBTQ+ realities, was unveiled in Baie Saint-Paul with many community members and partner representatives in attendance.
Thus, from May 14 to 18, 2026, Charlevoix will feature festive, community-building moments with a focus on popular education and awareness. In addition to the awareness booths in the region's schools, all Charlevoix residents are invited to numerous festive, social, and musical activities.
Here are a few elements of this program.
Thursday, May 14
- 10 a.m., LGBTQ+ flag raising in partner municipalities.
- Evening screening of the film “On sera heureux” by director Léa Pool and author/screenwriter Michel Marc Bouchard at Domaine Forget, in collaboration with Ciné-Charlevoix. The film explores immigration and homosexuality.
- Cocktail reception featuring booths from Fierté Charlevoix and SANA (newcomer welcome service), with a virtual meeting with Michel Marc Bouchard to conclude the evening. Paid event (on site).
Friday, May 15
- Farm visit with an agricultural focus (pasture-raised ducks) starting at 5:30 p.m. at Ferme Ambrosia in Saint-Hilarion, followed by a shared supper and the live recording of an episode of the podcast “Au-delà des cases,” where we will discuss diversity in rural life.
- Homemade sangria and duck bites will be served on site.
- We then head to the Auberge/Bistro des Balcons de Baise Saint-Paul at 8 p.m. for a cabaret evening with the production “un cabaret légume,” which immerses us in the world of adult puppets interspersed with burlesque acts, telling love stories between vegetables in a restaurant kitchen.
Saturday, May 16
- Community market in collaboration with Saveurs Authentiques de Charlevoix from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parc du Havre in La Malbaie.
- On site, vendors, terroir products, organizations, face painting, drag performances and a musical atmosphere will entertain the whole family.
- Pétanque tournament from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; register via the form on the Facebook event page.
- Screening of the documentary “En marche: L'amour et la résistance Queer” by Noam Gonick at 1:30 p.m. at the La Malbaie library. This uncompromising account of LGBTQ+ history in Canada traces the key demonstrations and passionate voices that sparked a movement of love and resistance.
- At 8 p.m. at Auberge la Fascine on Isle-aux-Coudres, drag show “Rainbow Fever” with Océane Aquablack and her guests. Tickets available via the link in the Facebook event.
Sunday, May 17
- From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Musée d'art contemporain de Baie Saint-Paul offers a guided tour of the exhibitions “Dessiner le monde depuis ma fenêtre” and “Seuils”.
- Also on site during the activity: photo booth, creative workshop, pastries and products from the Migneron family.
- At the end of the day, we head to the DACO (Domaine à Ciel Ouvert) forest in La Malbaie, Sainte-Agnès sector, for an evening with two energetic DJs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Monday, May 18
- We end the festival on a gentle note at Jardins des Lilas in Cap-à-l'Aigle, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with a sound meditation guided by the sounds of drums and crystal bowls in collaboration with Sons de Vie.
Find more details and all useful information on the website fiertecharlevoix.com.
Follow the Facebook and Instagram pages @fiertecharlevoix for all the event details.
Watch the launch video from Charlevoix community TV: https://tvcotv.com/une-4e-edition-pour-fierte-charlevoix/
By Pierre Perreault
May 11, 2026
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As it has every year since 2023, the Fondation Émergence is calling for a citizen gathering as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, on Sunday, May 17, in Montréal. This year's theme is "May 17, we march. Together."
The march starts at 1 p.m. at Place des Festivals (Place-des-Arts metro station), Montréal, and ends in the Village, at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Alexandre-de-Sève.
Given the rise in hate speech and the erosion of rights, it is more important than ever to come together and occupy public space, says the Fondation Émergence. It is also counting on the Effet Allié to "stand up, march, and act." Because every presence counts. Because visibility makes a difference. Because change comes through collective action.
More details here: https://tinyurl.com/marche17mai2026
By Pierre Perreault
April 2026
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More than 60 local artists are featured in the exhibition. Variations on Local Art, on display from April 29 to May 10 at the Écomusée du fier monde. The works on exhibit will be auctioned at the Écomusée's 25th benefit auction, which highlights a journey marked by commitment, culture, and community.
While the Variations on Local Art exhibition is on, enjoy free admission to the museum and spot your favourites! After examining the catalogue of the works on display, Jean De Julio-Paquin, art historian, points out that "several important artists are part of the 2026 selection".
25 years of being carried by its own people!
Once again this year, the Écomusée is offering a hybrid format, combining an in-person and online event. The event's proceeds go to the Écomusée and the artists. True to its mission, the proceeds from the sale of three works are shared with neighbourhood organizations. The fundraising goal has been set at $175,000, nearly half of the $350,000 we hope to raise through crowdfunding this year, explains Écomusée director Éric Giroux.
A history museum and a civic museum, theÉcomusée du fier monde celebrates collective memory and civic engagement. Since 1980, participatory projects have been developed there, designed with the population, institutions and organizations of the neighbourhood.
In-person auction led by auctioneer Patrick Masbourian
* Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 5 p.m.
- 36 works for sale
- Tickets on sale for $50 each
Virtual (online) auction
* Start date: April 29, 2026
- End: May 13, 2026, 8 p.m.
- 30 works for sale
Full details are available on the event website: https://ecomusee.qc.ca/programmation/variations-sur-lart-dici-2026/
Several anniversaries in 2026-2027
The century-old Bain Généreux building, which houses the Écomusée du fier monde, on Atateken Street, with its Art Deco facade, the work of Montréal architect Jean-Omer Marchand.
Not surprisingly, the Écomusée, which will celebrate the 45th anniversary of its incorporation in 2027, as well as the 30th anniversary of its move into the Bain Généreux this coming December, has faced demanding fundraising efforts since the COVID-19 pandemic, explains Éric Giroux, the organization's director since April 2020, who has been involved in various capacities since 1996-97, initially as a student. With an annual budget of $750,000 that has not seen a significant increase compared to the past few years, more energy must be devoted to ensuring self-generated revenue, as government subsidies are less generous.
Éric Giroux, director of the Écomusée du fier monde
However, a few projects submitted to the Ville-Marie borough in connection with existing financial assistance programs could help meet the budgetary needs, adds Mr. Giroux. Furthermore, special activities are planned for next year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bain Généreux, the honourable building that proudly houses the Écomusée du fier monde.
Écomusée du fier monde
ecomusee.qc.ca
2050, rue Atateken
Montréal, QC, H2L 3L8
514 528-8444
