The history of HIV, told by and for those who were there
Sector(s):
Service(s):
An Invaluable Resource for the Community
AIDS Vancouver, founded in early 1983, is recognized as one of the first community-based non-profit AIDS organizations in Canada, created to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Vancouver area.
The 30 30 Campaign
The Challenge
To celebrate its 30th anniversary as the first AIDS service organization in Canada, AIDS Vancouver sought to connect with the community in a unique and meaningful way.
The Solution
Be the Change Group envisioned and developed The 30 30 Campaign, a comprehensive timeline of the history of HIV in British Columbia, told by the people who were there. The project required eight months of research, involving the use of numerous archives, interviews, and historical documents.
The team’s dedication resulted in interviews and filming with various individuals, including medical health officers, community organizers, nurses, doctors, and the loved ones of those who were lost. One video story was released every day in July, culminating in the final video’s release at a fundraising gala for more than 400 people held at the historical Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, Canada.
This resource has been invaluable to the community. It has helped those who lived through the crisis to heal, offered understanding to those who were not there, and captured the hearts of the community.
Telling the story
Research and historical timeline
In producing one of the most comprehensive timelines to date, we reviewed and extracted over 500 unique sources from the BC Gay & Lesbian Archives, AIDS Vancouver historical documents, and academic sites to create a long-standing resource for our community.
Interviews and storytelling
Over eight months, we interviewed 59 leading clinicians, government officials, community workers, families, and people living with HIV, and filmed 37 individuals who shared the stories of their personal and professional experiences working and living through the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vancouver.
A digital archive
The campaign is hosted on a permanent website and is one of the most comprehensive HIV timelines in Canadian history, and hosts all the videos.
A Love Story
This powerful love story was screened at the Vancouver International Queer Film Festival and went on to win the Judge’s Award at the 41st Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival.
One of the short films, A Love Story was screened at the Vancouver International Queer Film Festival and our CEO, who directed the films, went on to win the Judge’s Award at the 41st Northwest Filmmakers Festival.
The Cherry Tree Memorial
Shrouded in historical secrecy due to discrimination and stigma, one of the first known AIDS memorials was located in our research, and was honoured with an official dedication from the Vancouver Park Board for all future generations to remember.
Gaetan Dugas 1984
The first AIDS Vancouver community forum was held, and Gaetan Dugas takes the mic.
Our team retrieved never before seen footage of Dugas (famously named “Patient Zero” by the Atlanta Centre for Disease Control) participating in the 1984 AIDS Vancouver community forum. This was the first and only footage of Dugas to be found. The video has since been recognized worldwide.
Our nurses 1995
Our nurses and health care providers at St. Paul’s Hospital set the standard for compassionate care. This is the story of two nurses on the front line.
CATEGORY
