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MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens will celebrate diversity and inclusion on Saturday, May 1, as the team hosts its annual LGBTQ+ Night, in partnership with Scotiabank, when the Ottawa Senators visit the Bell Centre.

As part of the National Hockey League's Hockey Is for Everyone program, the team will show its support for people of different sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and emphasize the importance of respect and inclusion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities in sports.
Canadiens players will show their support for the cause by wearing rainbow-coloured jerseys and using Pride Tape on their sticks during the pre-game warmup. These autographed jerseys and sticks will be auctioned online at
lgbtq.canadiens.com
through Monday, May 3, with proceeds benefitting
You Can Play
, a non-profit committed to fighting homophobia in sports, and
GRIS-Montréal
, a research and social intervention group which demystifies homosexuality, bisexuality and gender identities in schools. The funds provided to You Can Play will be invested locally to raise awareness among youths and adults at both the community and recreational levels of grassroots hockey programs in Quebec about the realities of gender and sexual minorities. Proceeds donated to GRIS-Montréal will go towards virtualizing their in-school interventions so they can continue providing education, tools and resources to elementary, secondary and college students to better understand gender and sexual diversity despite the current COVID-related restrictions.

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The Montreal Canadiens and Scotiabank are also teaming up to develop a series of videos featuring in-depth conversations around diversity and inclusion in hockey. These videos will touch on an array of important topics, including tangible steps that can be taken to make the sport more accessible and inclusive. The first video, which launches on May 1 on the Canadiens' platforms, features a discussion between Jonas Worth, director of partnerships and development for the You Can Play Project, and Nick Suzuki, the Canadiens' Hockey Is for Everyone ambassador, about how players can use their platforms for positive change and how teams can ensure locker rooms are welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
"The Montreal Canadiens are committed to standing up for respect and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community," said Suzuki. "No person should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Hockey should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for all, where every player should feel valued and welcomed to be who they are, no matter their differences."
"At Scotiabank, we believe diversity makes us stronger, and we're committed to making real and positive change in the game of hockey by encouraging an inclusive atmosphere for all who wish to play - regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation," said Laura Curtis Ferrera, Chief Marketing Officer, Scotiabank. "We are proud to join the Montreal Canadiens this year for LGBTQ+ Night in their effort to make Hockey for Everyone."

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Fans are encouraged to join the conversation and show support on social media throughout the night by using the #HockeyIsForEveryone hashtag. Fans wishing to show their pride can also purchase special Hockey Is for Everyone rainbow T-shirts, hoodies and accessories on the
Tricolore Sports online store
. Part of the profits from the sale of these items will be donated to GRIS-Montréal.