This summer, Montréal Pride will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sexgarage, the police raid that became a catalyst for Montréal’s LGBT movement. The event will be marked by the presence of photographer and guest of honour of the 2015 festival, Linda Dawn Hammond. Ms. Hammond will hold a rare exhibition of the photos she took on rue De la Gauchetière that pivotal night in July, 1990. The images exhibited were taken as the photographer was defending her camera from the truncheons of the police who had removed their name tags.

The open-air exhibition will be presented for free from August 12^th through 16^th and will pay tribute to this sombre page in our history. People will have the opportunity to see photos taken inside the loft during the party, as well as those captured outside during the attacks, all through the lens of Linda Dawn Hammond. Stills taken at the peaceful "kiss-in" - an event that also met with a violent conclusion – will close the exhibition.

"Today’s generation does not seem to know the history of Sexgarage, and the important historic impact this homophobic police raid had on the LGBT movement here and abroad. The event helped improve relations with security forces and pave the way for the social acceptance of our community. The exhibition we’re presenting is a wonderful opportunity to educate young people, and the larger community, about this sad moment, and recognize all of our progress in the last 25 years," explained Éric Pineault, president of Montréal Pride.

"The 1990 photos we’re presenting in Montreal this summer came close to not surviving the Sexgarage raid. The police who beat my friends and I that night, by specifically targeting my camera and the film it contained, were attempting to remove the only existing visual evidence of their violent attack. Fortunately, I was able to rescue my negatives, and I am proud to share these historic images, most of which have never been seen in public until now," shared Linda Dawn Hammond.

Sexgarage is without question a flagship event for LGBT activism in the city. It directly contributed to the creation of the Table de concertation des gaies et lesbiennes du grand Montréal, the establishment of 1990’s march and outdoor concert as well as the birth of Black & Blue in 1991 and Divers/Cité in 1993.

Montréal Pride is honoured to count on the invaluable support of its partners, participants and volunteers, without whom the festival would not be possible each year: TD Bank Group, Official Presenter of Montréal Pride; Viagra, the Official Presenter of the Pride Parade; the Gouvernment du Québec; the City of Montréal; Tourisme Montréal, and Fugues magazine.

Founded in 2007 as an initiative of Montréal’s LGBT communities, Montréal Pride is now the largest LGBT gathering in the Francophone world. The organization’s primary mission is to support and promote local LGBT communities while serving as a beacon of hope for people around the world who continue to battle injustice. Each year, Montréal Pride attracts close to 400,000 local and international visitors during a week of cultural and Community activities, including the Pride Parade and Community Day. In 2015, the Montréal Pride festival will be held from August 10 to 16. More information about Montréal Pride is available on the Montréal Pride website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@fierteMTLpride).