Governments abandon Black & Blue

Montreal's Black & Blue has developed a reputation as one of the best gay circuit parties in North America. This year's edition, to be held at Olympic Stadium under the banner "Cosmos 1999" on October 10, is expected to draw more tourists than ever, inject over $20 million into the local economy in a single weekend, and raise tens of thousands of dollars for AIDS-related charities.

They're all worthy and noble things. So why won't the province or the city chip in?

Both the Quebec provincial and Montreal municipal governments are balking at the request to ante up $35,000 each and become official sponsors of the event. Their dilly-dallying over the issue has prompted Robert Vézina of the BBCM (the non-profit foundation organizing the entire thing) to send a scathing letter to both Mayor Pierre Bourque and Metro Montreal Minister Louise Harel.

In the letter, Vézina points out that the province is benefiting already, since B&B is already paying to rent the Big O--and it's in such bad shape, the B&B has to spend an additional $150,000 just to rig up their light show. As a compromise, Vézina's letter suggests "at least offering the BBCM free rent to partially compensate us for the extra investment that we must make."

Neither government has replied to the request as yet.

--Philip Preville