Our Story

From 1993-2000, gender-bending performance art collective House of Pride rocked the stages of Montreal and beyond, dazzling audiences with their unique take on gender and cultural diversity while delivering a hopeful message of love, unity, and peace.

House of Pride is made up of six individuals: Dancer, musician, producer, entrepreneur Frigid, aka Joffrey Dumas; Dancer, choreographer, teacher Marta Marta, aka Martha Carter; Dancer, composer, performer Gartina J., aka Garth Johnson - deceased; Performer, painter, makeup artist, educator Jackie Jet, aka Jacques Besner; Performer, model, consultant Kiet, aka Kiet Ha; Dancer, choreographer, photographer, writer LaReign, aka Stephen Hues.

With big age differences and very different backgrounds, HOP was an unlikely group, but their differences fuelled innovative shows. They were known for creating playful drag characters who kicked their heels in both wild club performances as well as conventional theatre productions. They were legendary for outrageous late night appearances at events like the World Ball, Black & Blue, and other fundraising circuit parties in Montreal, Toronto, New York, and beyond.

As much as their shows were fun and edgy, they also challenged gender and racial politics, stimulating dialogue around oppression and abuse - all the while being staunch champions of being mindfully respectful of everyone, especially mother earth; the ultimate goddess.

House of Pride performances distinguished themselves from regular club shows due to their use of stunning projected visuals by member Stephen Hues. In or out of costume, LaReign always had a camera wherever he went, snapping exclusive action onstage and off. Capturing a time before everyone had a phone with a camera, Stephen’s remarkable photography is an invaluable archive of the House of Pride’s work as well as being an important and unique witness of that action, period, place and time.

In 2017, following a 16-year hiatus from working together, House of Pride reunited to mourn the loss of their colleague, Garth Johnson. This reconnection sparked the idea to envision and create a series of new works together.

The first one, 'QUEER NATION’ (2020), is a short film honouring Gartina J. featuring a collection of Hues’ photos and video clips from the ‘queer 90s’ set to a new house single produced by Frigid, featuring disco diva, Loleatta Holloway. 'QUEER NATION’ was presented at the 2020 Image+Nation Film Festival 33, opening the Queerment (films made in Quebec) section. HOP’s second short film, Ballroom Boudoir (2021), featuring photography by Stephen Hues, was part of House of Pride’s gallery presentation in their group exhibit at the Never Apart Centre in Montreal in Summer 2021.