“Time capsules” to remember people missing or living with HIV-AIDS

Although there are many conferences on HIV-AIDS, there are clinics in Montreal and other parts of the province that specialize in treating HIV-AIDS, and many books have been written on the topic, new generations are not necessarily aware of it. An epidemic that wreaked havoc in the 1980s and 1990s. In order not to forget this past and this wave of deaths, mainly of gays, Denis Cormier-Pichet, in collaboration with the Gay Archives of Quebec (AGQ), is relaunching the project “HIV-AIDS Time Capsules: Long Silenced Stories.” “. HIV-positive people or people around them will be able to testify, and these stories will be kept for 25 years until these “time capsules” are opened.

We already told you about this in January, when we launched this project almost confidentially. But thanks to the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors program, “we can restart this time capsule project in a more sustainable way,” says Pierre Pillotte, AGQ coordinator. “The idea came to me from a poster in the Parc de l’Espoir during the 24th International AIDS Conference, which took place in Montreal in July 2022,” explains Denis-Cormier Pichet, who has been director of Fondation Émergence since 2016. There are many private stories from people who lived through AIDS and never disclosed it, or from people close to people who died from it. So all these people can testify. […]»

But why this 25 year old recipe, why wait until 2047 to use these capsules? “Out of modesty, out of respect, because some never told their family, parents, etc. It’s just freedom of speech. There are no legal or technical issues here, just to make room for people to testify, and I know there will be a lot of them. Because it can be very emotional for a person. […] It is our duty to remember so as not to forget these people. It will certainly be very moving,” continues Denis Cormier-Pichet, who is also working on various projects related to the realities of 2SLGBTQ+ at UdeM, Concordia, Laval University, INRS and INESS/Table digital health.

And who will have access to such documents? “Everyone will be able to access it: perhaps the general public interested in this issue, doctors, students, researchers, writers, etc.,” emphasizes Denis Cormier-Piché. We want it to be available to as wide an audience as possible at that time.” Why might this project be of particular interest to Quebec Gay Archives? “We felt this was a good project because it fits our mandate of collecting archives about the past of LGBTQ+ communities. We fully support Denis Cormier-Pichet in his efforts to make these time capsules known and to involve people in this duty of remembrance,” says Pierre Pilotte.

“I thank the Archives for choosing me to work on this initiative,” says Denis Cormier-Pichet, who proposed the capsules last year and planned the various stages. The participation formula is very simple: in fact, it is everything that can fit in a number 10 envelope (9.5 inches / 24 cm x 4.25 inches / 10.5 cm), that is, poems, texts, drawings, photographs, images or USB flash drives. key (digital media, video, etc.). “This idea came to me from the Ministry of Justice, because in court we can present something to the court, we will then open such an envelope to read its contents. At the same time, anyone can use such an envelope, so it’s not difficult,” adds Denis Cormier-Pichet. For submission, everything is listed on the AGQ website.

Next August, as part of Montreal Pride, the Archives will host four nights of screenings at the Parc de l’Espoir (on the corner of Panet and Ste-Catherine streets). Thanks to the Montreal Heritage grant, we will essentially be testing three topics: Act Up demonstrations in Montreal, posters and quotes about HIV-AIDS prevention. “On these evenings, two people from AGQ will also distribute materials about the time capsules and encourage people to participate,” adds Pierre Pilotte. This material will also be offered during Montreal Pride Community Day at the Archives kiosk on Saturday, August 10.”

But all this is conditional, if we take for granted that the Quebec Gay Archives will still exist in a quarter of a century, to open these envelopes, otherwise what will happen? “We could potentially bequeath them to the Bibliothèque Nationale et Archives du Québec (BAnQ), which would take possession of them and anyone could access them in 25 years if AGQ is no longer there. […]”, says Denis Cormier-Pichet. Other activities associated with this project will be revealed over time; you’ll need to keep an eye on the AGQ website for details;

INFO | If you decide to participate in this project, you will be provided with an information and consent form. All details at the following address: http://agq.qc.ca/capsules-temporelles-vih-sida/