When Simon Gamache announced yesterday that he was stepping down as Executive Director of Pride Montréal, my heart sank a little—yet I couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration. Leading such a vibrant, sprawling organization for four intense years is no small feat. Especially given the stormy summer the group weathered, tangled in the thorny Israeli-Palestinian debate. Simon’s exit feels like the closing of a challenging chapter, but also the opening of new doors. And let me tell you, those doors won’t stay closed for long.
You see, Simon took the helm when Pride Montréal was still reeling from a deep internal crisis—a scandal that forced the organization to rethink, rebuild, and reinvent itself from the ground up. Back in 2020, the founder and then-president was suspended amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which shook the community to its core and led to his permanent departure. Years later, darker shadows resurfaced with new accusations linked to an incident from the 1990s, still playing out in the courts today. This backdrop sets the stage for understanding the magnitude of Simon’s role and the pressure cooker environment he operated in.
But what hurts me the most isn’t just the circumstances of Simon’s departure—it’s the venom, the unfair attacks hurled not just at Pride Montréal, but at Simon himself. Criticism is one thing, but what unfolded was mobbing at its cruelest—a collective harassment, a poisonous fog of rumors and intimidation. On top of that, there was this horrid undercurrent of gay bashing, way beyond any honest discourse. I’ve said it before on our channels: everyone deserves respect, especially when they’re pouring their heart into a cause. The invasion into Simon’s private life? Unforgivable. That kind of personal attack leaves scars—not only on the individual but on the spirit of the entire community.
So what in the world sparked this wildfire? It all traced back to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—a beast of a controversy that, frankly, shouldn’t have spilled into our Pride family’s arena. The sheer brutality on both sides—Hamas’s horrific attacks that plunged thousands into death and despair, and Israel’s fierce retaliations causing destruction and suffering—this isn’t just history; it’s a raw wound exposing humanity’s failures. I’ve written about the tragic nuances, the impossible choices, and the heart-rending hostages held in dreadful conditions. This war, though not ours to fight, tugged us into its whirlpool because human rights and dignity are universal languages that ripple far beyond borders.
But why drag Pride Montréal into this quagmire and target Simon so viciously? The story goes that a coalition of pro-Palestinian and queer groups—Helem Montréal, Mubaadarat, Independent Jewish Voices Montréal, and F.A.G.S., among others—accused Pride Montréal of cozying up to sponsors linked to Israel, notably the big-shot TD Bank, and of failing to vocally side with Palestinian rights. They saw Pride Montréal as choosing corporate shine over the raw realities faced by marginalized queer folks caught in geopolitical crossfires. The August 2024 parade exploded amid chants of “No Pride in genocide,” with demonstrators blocking the route and forcing police to intervene—calls for Simon’s ousting ringing loud and unforgiving.
And here’s the kicker: the criticism touched on the ugly specters of “pinkwashing” and “homonationalism”—buzzwords that describe using LGBTQ+ causes as polished masks to hide political ugliness or twisting queer identities into nationalist tools. Simon, in the eye of the media storm, emphasized that while a safety plan was in place and lines of communication remained open with protesters, the organization’s main role was—and should be—to celebrate unity, not footnotes in international conflicts.
Let’s be honest—yes, voices of dissent are necessary. Pride Montréal, like any vibrant community, needs continuous questioning, reflection, and growth. But does this mean Pride Montréal should referee global battles, mediate between entrenched, violent conflicts, or become a battleground itself? Should it arbitrate where even nations stumble? Heck, can it even sort out squabbles between my Aunt Rita and Uncle Jacques without causing family drama? Absolutely not.
The relentless attacks on Simon and the organization amount to an injustice—a bitter wind that scorches the very pride they aim to foster. If people gripe about too many drag queens, or how artists are chosen, or the direction of advocacy, that’s fair game for debate. But when criticism devolves into threats, intimidation, and attempts to tear down Pride Montréal’s spirit and its leader’s reputation, that crosses a line we simply can’t accept.
I’ve seen some Facebook groups spiral into wild conspiracies about governments plotting against Pride Montréal or painting the organization as out of control. These shadowy corners of the internet, often run by faceless agitators, have no clue what goes on behind the curtains. Their noise doesn’t just hurt Simon or Pride Montréal—it chips away at all of us who call this community home. Personally, I reject that poison with everything in me.
Reflecting on all this, I can’t help but feel gratitude for Simon Gamache’s stewardship. Under his watch, Montréal reclaimed its place among the grandest Pride celebrations on the globe. That revival alone should earn him more than just thank-yous—it deserves respect written in bold letters across our hearts.
So, for those who think they can steer this ship better—well, good luck navigating these choppy, unpredictable waters! Because Pride is not just an event or an organization; it’s a living, breathing testament to resilience, love, and the relentless fight for dignity. And that spirit? It endures far beyond any one person’s tenure.
