Simon
Age: 24
Birthplace: Rosemère, QC
Background:
Simon is a young gay man living on his own for the first time. He is exploring life. He recently found an entry-level job in an office where he does computer support. He graduated from Concordia 2 years ago and has been supporting himself by working contract jobs that he found, through a placement agency. His parents still live in Rosemère and many of his friends moved to Toronto after they graduated. His best friend is Pierre-Marc a bicultural/bilingual francophone from Gatineau who he met at Concordia. Simon had a crush on Pierre-Marc when they were at school together. They slept together once and decided that they were better as friends.
Simon has a Siberian Husky.

A word from Derek
A volunteer on the project who is the face of Simon.

I am from Winnipeg but have relocated to the bright lights of Montréal for school. I started volunteering in the education and prevention department at ACCM specifically working on campaigns targeting queer youth, gay men, and MSM as a Concordia student intern. I choose to stay and volunteer with ACCM because I believe in the sex-positive, harm reductionist approach to HIV prevention. I think that HIV education and prevention is most effective when you take a comprehensive and holistic view of health. Healthy minds, and healthy bodies are more likely to make healthy choices.

I consider myself to be a feminist, environmentalist, trans ally, and political queer. I live with my chosen family of three wonderful roommates and have pet worms who double as my compost.

I am not Simon but he and I have a few things in common... we are both fags and we look kind of similar. The script of this project has nothing to do with my life, it is just my photos!

Pierre-Marc
Age: 23
Birthplace: Gatineau, QC
Background:
Pierre-Marc is a bilingual francophone and is Simon's best friend. They met when they were at Concordia together. Pierre-Marc fancies himself as a struggling Artist and he works at a bar in the Village.

A word from Bruno
A volunteer on the project who is the face of Pierre-Marc.

I was born and raised in Montréal. I recently staring volunteering for the education and prevention department of AIDS Community Care Montreal (ACCM) specifically talking with at risk youth about HIV, safer sex, body art, and relationships. My internship at ACCM started with the interdisciplinary course on HIV and AIDS I took at Concordia University.

When I am not at school, or running around town working, I love to go see some good movies at Cinema du Parc, or simply enjoying a good coffee with friends at one of our many coffee shops here in Montréal.

I am attracted to anything international: food, clothing, culture, and languages. I also consider myself to be open-minded and always ready to learn.
Just like Pierre-Marc, I am also completely bilingual, but that is about only thing we have in common. I am not an Artist, in fact I'm presently completing a degree in psychology at Concordia University. Even if Pierre-Marc and I are different, I enjoy impersonating him, and I am guessing that he might teach me a thing or two along the way.

Huguette
Age: 2
Birthplace: St-Alexis-des-Monts, QC
Background:

Huguette is Simon's dog. She tries to keep Simon grounded by ensuring that he has some sort of routine. Huguette is a purebred Siberian Husky with one blue eye and one brown eye.

About Akunniq, the dog who plays the role of Huguette.

Akunniq belongs to Doug, the ACCM Education and Prevention Director who is responsible for Directions Montréal. Akunniq is well known and recognised by the staff and volunteers of ACCM. She is so gentle and innocent to the point that she doesn't understand the concept of aggression.
Her name is of Inuit origin, and means “The Space Between”.
Doug shares custody of Akunniq with his ex-boyfriend Éric.

Her other father; Éric is respected within the International Performance Art Community as both an artist and a curator.

Akunniq has already been a featured artist at several Performance Art events. She is registered with UDA (Union des Artists) and has performed as an extra in various film and television productions that have been shot in Montréal.

Jeremy
Photographer/Director

Originally from the Ottawa Valley, I moved to Montreal in 2001 to complete a degree in medical anthropology at McGill and haven't looked back. Currently, I am studying Commercial Photography at the Dawson Institute of Photography in Montreal. My interest in working with ACCM stems from my personal mandate to fight discrimination in marginalized communities, to promote diversity and multiculturalism, and to empower individuals through knowledge, artistic expression, and advocacy. Taking an active role in this project has successfully melded my artistic ambitions with what I see as a more open and knowledgeable society checkout Jeremy's website lostboyimages.com.