Presented as part of the Hockey is for Everyone program, this initiative aims to drive positive social change and foster safe, inclusive, and welcoming hockey communities for all.
"We are pleased to hold our Pride Night tomorrow, an initiative that is part of our actions to demonstrate our support and respect, as a team, for our supporters, members of our organization, athletes and communities affected by discrimination and inequity," said France Margaret Bélanger, President, Sports and Entertainment, Groupe CH. "Visibility and representation are essential for education, understanding and inclusion. It is with this in mind that we continue our efforts to raise awareness and offer our support with the help of our partners."
As the team has done in the past, Canadiens players will show their support for this initiative during warmups by using Pride Tape on their sticks and by wearing special jerseys. To celebrate community spirit, harmony and togetherness, the Canadiens logo has been reimagined by Amélie Lehoux, a graphic designer and illustrator from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, to include a series of multicolored characters holding hands. All characters are unique and non-gendered to reflect sexual diversity and gender pluralism. These sticks and jerseys will then be autographed and auctioned until April 12. Fans who wish to add these one-of-a-kind items to their collection can already register at
pride.bidandraise.com
to be notified when the auction opens. To reiterate their commitment to investing in partnerships and programs that help build stronger and more inclusive communities, Scotiabank has chosen to power this auction by donating an additional $10,000 to this initiative. All profits from this auction will be donated to You Can Play, a non-profit organization fighting against homophobia in sport, and GRIS-Montréal, a research and social intervention group which demystifies homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender identities in schools.
"Once again, GRIS-Montréal is proud to be associated with the Canadiens and their commitment to inclusion and diversity. It sends a strong message of solidarity to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community which has a positive impact on young people, but also on society as a whole," said Marie Houzeau, director of GRIS-Montréal. "Together, we show that homophobia and transphobia have no place on the ice, or anywhere else in our society."
"You Can Play is proud to partner with the Montreal Canadiens and support their efforts and commitment to developing diverse and inclusive spaces within hockey," said Heidi Johnston, Sport Partnerships Manager - Canada for You Can Play. "We value our long-term partnership with the Canadiens, working collaboratively to support 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives at the grassroots level and beyond. We look forward to continuing our work together and growing inclusivity in sport."
As part of the initiative, the national anthems will be performed by Quebec actress, host, and performer Debbie Lynch-White. Numerous volunteers and supporters of GRIS-Montréal, youth from the Espace 2S/LGBTQIA+ program of Sphère, as well as representatives of You Can Play will also have the chance to attend the game thanks to the generosity of Ford Canada and the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation.
Finally, fans who wish to contribute to the visibility and representation of the cause can do so by purchasing items from the
Pride collection at Tricolore Sports
.
About GRIS-Montréal
GRIS-Montréal - a research and social intervention group located in Montréal - is the largest Quebec-based organization dedicated to demystifying sexual and gender diversity in schools by sharing testimonies of lived experiences. On average, nearly 1,000 workshops are given by some 250 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or non-binary volunteers of all ages at GRIS each year.
About You Can Play
The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans. We achieve this by creating a community of allies that can foster a true sense of belonging. This becomes possible when sports teams sharpen the focus on the person's skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
