- BMO returns as Platinum Sponsor for Toronto Pride and
Remembrance Run, the largest fundraising event held
during Toronto's Pride Month celebrations
- Supports Pride activities in more than 20 communities across
North America
- Expands Gender Pronoun Initiative to 50 branches to foster
gender inclusivity
TORONTO, June 12, 2019 /CNW/ - Throughout June, BMO
Financial Group is reaffirming its commitment to supporting the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and two-spirited (LGBTQ2+)
community. The bank is once again the Platinum Sponsor for the 24th
annual Pride and Remembrance run, which will see nearly 2,000
participants lace up for the largest fundraising event held during
Toronto Pride Month. Additionally, BMO is sponsoring more than 20
events across North America, and
is expanding its Gender Pronoun Initiative to foster inclusivity in
BMO branch locations.
"BMO proudly stands with the LGBTQ2+ community. Every day,
LGTBQ2+ individuals are courageous in simply living their lives on
their own terms, all too often having to defend their basic human
rights and live without fear," said Mona Malone, Head of
People & Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, BMO
Financial Group. "At BMO, we believe it is our Purpose to Boldly
Grow the Good in business and in life, which includes a commitment
to fostering an inclusive society by being a catalyst for positive
change. This is the driving force behind our 20-year commitment to
the Pride movement, and to fostering diversity and inclusion both
inside our walls, and throughout our communities."
Sponsorship of the Pride and Remembrance Run
The Pride and Remembrance Run is an annual event promoting and
fostering spirit, goodwill and sportsmanship in the LGBTQ2+
community. The annual 5k run or 3k walk will
take place on Saturday, June 22nd, 2019, starting at
10 a.m. ET.
The run coincides with Toronto Pride, which is devoted to the
celebration and support of Toronto's diverse LGBTQ2+
community. In addition to being one of the most popular running
events in the GTA, the Run raises critical funds for LGBTQ2+
projects and initiatives benefiting the community. Since its
founding, the Pride and Remembrance Association has raised
over $1.8 million for local charities that support the
LGBTQ2+ community.
This year, participants will raise money to benefit five
Toronto organizations: The 519's
bOlder Together program; the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT); the Black Coalition for
AIDS Prevention; the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival; and The Pride
and Remembrance Foundation. One hundred per cent of the donations
go directly to these organizations as they continue invaluable work
that changes the lives of people in communities across
Canada.
North America-wide event
support
BMO is proud to support Pride events in more than 20 communities
of all sizes across North America
including partnering with the Chicago Bulls for co-branded float in
the Chicago Pride Parade for the 4th consecutive year, as well as
in Chicago (Backlot Bash),
Milwaukee (PrideFest),
Montreal (Community Day),
Indianapolis (Cadillac Barbie IN Pride Parade), and
Winnipeg (Two-Spirit Pow Wow).
BMO's Gender Pronoun Initiative expands to 50+ branch
locations
First launched in 2017 at BMO's King and Yonge Street branch, the program both helps to
inform transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid customers that it
provides a safe space for their communities and give them the
agency to share their pronouns with representatives, as well as
helping educate BMO team members on gender inclusivity.
In 2019, the program will be expanded to 50+ branches in
Canada and in the United States.
About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly
diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by
assets, in North America. With total assets of $830
billion as of April 30, 2019, and a team of diverse and
highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal
and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking
products and services to more than 12 million customers and
conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and
Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital
Markets.
About the Pride and Remembrance Run
In 1996, three gay athletes founded the Pride and Remembrance
Run, an annual five-kilometre run / three-kilometre walk coinciding
with Toronto's Pride Festival. It
was dedicated to partnering the themes of PRIDE and REMEMBRANCE
with community celebration and personal achievement.
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content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmo-celebrates-support-for-lgtbq2-and-pride-month-300866451.html
SOURCE BMO Financial Group