February 2023

27 Feb, 2023 Life begins at 40!

The Archives gaies du Québec turn 40 this year. To celebrate this anniversary, we have launched a contest for the researchers who, since January 1st 2015, have consulted our archives to create original works (in French or English) strongly inspired by them. The pieces can be presented in different forms: text, video, podcast, film, book, thesis, etc.

The entries will be accepted until midnight on June 16th, 2023. Only people residing in Canada can participate.

The winner of this contest will receive the Frank W. Remiggi Award along with its 1 000 $ grant, which will be given at a public ceremony during the Pride celebrations in August 2023.

Good luck to all!

27 Feb, 2023 A judging panel or quality

The panel of judges for the Frank W. Remiggi Award will be composed of three people. First, Ian Blair, the Archives gaies du Québec’s vice-president; then, Julie Podmore, affiliate professor at Concordia University, member of the Archives lesbiennes du Québec, and board member of the Archives gaies du Québec for eight years (2011-2019); finally, Serge Fisette, historian and author, whose latest book, L’homosexualité masculine au Québec, was unanimously acclaimed by the critics.

We are proud to entrust them with the difficult task of choosing the award-winning work.

27 Feb, 2023 A new logo

For their 40th anniversary, the Archives gaies du Québec will be donning a new logo to project an image of vitality and progress for the coming years.

We thank the creator of this logo, Jean Logan, who did all this work on a volunteer basis.

27 Feb, 2023 Drawings from Michel Daigneault and Stephen Schofield on textes from Yves Navarre

After their stay in France as part of the France-Québec exchange, the artists Stephen Shofield and Michel Daigneault have created multiple works inspired by the works of the militant gay writer Yves Navarre, who passed in 1994, during their visit to the Médiathèque de Montpellier where they met members of the organisation Les Amis d’Yves Navarre.

These works will be exhibited in the Archives gaies du Québec’s office starting from March 18th, 2023. It is thanks to Claude Gosselin’s work, our guest curator, that the project was able to take shape.

We thank the Ministère des relations internationales et de la francophonie du Québec for having financed this cultural exchange.

27 Feb, 2023 A much appreciated donation

The Caisse populaire Desjardins du Quartier-Latin has given us financial support to create an exhibition space in our office which will be named Espace Desjardins.

We thank them for their partnership in this endeavour.

27 Feb, 2023 CRÉPUSCULE: Seeking twilight and connection in the gay archives

This workshop, led on March 11th by artist August Klintberg, will centre the AGQ holdings of gay travel guides and matchbooks from the Montreal region – materials that refer to saunas, restaurants, sex clubs and many other sites of conviviality. Participants (all of whom will receive a $50 honorarium) will have access to these archival materials in a leisurely, informal small group consultation session. Participants will contribute to a guided discussion of aspirations, questions, memories, and experiences associated with sites mentioned in these archival materials, including optional creation of drawings, maps, and architectural plans. All are welcome, regardless of experience with archives, or personal connection with the sites referenced (or lack thereof).

Crépuscule (2022-23), Klintberg’s project currently on view at the Maison de la Culture Côte-des-Neiges, is the foundation for this event. The project is a reflection on vanishing, reappearing, and imaginary places of non-straight gathering. Our conversations will echo this artwork’s themes, including questioning “what is queer space, does it exist, and what do you want from it?”

Any materials created during the workshop are the property of the participants. Food and refreshments will be served. Registration is very limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible. While the event will be led in English, contributions can be made in French or English. All are welcome for a 5 à 7 at the Stud (1812 St Catherine St E, Montreal, Quebec H2K 2H3) after the close of the workshop.

Please note that the archive is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible on the weekends. Sensory brief and QSL/ASL support available upon request.

Click here for more details and registration