I have been an avid reader of your magazine for years and I always notice, with each edition, the quality of your texts to you, Mr. Chayer, and the depth of reflection they arouse in me. You always make me do a lot of things and I was wondering if you had a background in literature to write with this unique style?
Manon Z., Montreal
Hello Manon, not at all. I have no training in literature or journalism. My training is a 3rd cycle university in classical music, horn and chamber orchestra and a long experience in journalism.
Roger-Luc Chayer, editor
Outraged would be a weak word to qualify my level of anger after reading your article on the privileged people of hell, those people who could move around freely during the curfew in Montreal just because they were drug addicts. I would like to know who makes such decisions and who authorizes this?
Jacques K., Longueuil
Hello Jacques, it was not just in Montreal by the way, but in all of Quebec. I tried to find out who authorized this, where could such a directive come from, but everyone is throwing the ball around. National Public Health launches at the Ministry of Health, which refers to Public Security, etc. Although this directive shocks a lot of readers, I understand the logic a little. What the State absolutely wanted to avoid was that hundreds of homeless people and drug addicts, in need of drugs or in psychosis, flood the emergency rooms of the hospitals whereas at the height of the pandemic, there was no practically more resources in the field of health. The only logical way to avoid an influx of psychotics in crisis or involuntary withdrawal people into the health system was to allow them to circulate at all hours of the day with a paper from a social worker or medical staff to access their usual drugs or supervised centers. Morally, one can take issue with this choice of society, but logically, under the circumstances we knew, I believe it was the best thing to do. There have been abuses, escorts who were going to make clients at night with false documents, but that is another subject …
Roger-Luc Chayer, editor
Everyone can see the state of the Village for a few years and especially since the pandemic, its abandonment, its lack of pride and initiative on the part of the leaders who do not seem to want to do anything except cash their wages. If the gays desert the Village, where are they?
Matt L., Montreal
Hello Matt, The Village is going through difficult times right now and while the poorest county in Canada was Hochelaga-Maisonneuve until the 2010s, the Village has held the fateful title since then, just looking at it we can see… Where are we at? the gays? LGBTQ + communities have not moved to another planet, they are simply where they are respected and where their social and economic commitments are respected. Physically, rue Masson, avenue du Mont-Royal Est and the Mile-End are the places where LGBTQ + communities now come together to live and develop their environment. LGBTQ + people are also very popular on the web with many Facebook pages and groups, Twitter accounts and dating sites. The world is changing, but clearly in the case of the gay community, it is their abandonment by the authorities and organizations of the Gay Village of Montreal that is the cause of their disaffection. When we bring together all of Quebec’s social problems in a specific perimeter and you force investors, traders, and residents to rub shoulders with homeless people who sleep around their businesses, in their entrances and that drugs are sold in broad daylight under the noses of the police, it gives the current black hole!
Roger-Luc Chayer, editor
Mr. Chayer, is it still possible to subscribe to the print journal and at what cost?
Manu J., Montreal
We no longer offer this overpriced service due to Canada Post fees. You can subscribe to the PDF for free at Gayglobe.net.
Roger-Luc Chayer, editor