21. YUL Heritage-Pt. 1 — Hey Hugues & Jean-Sébastien

About this episode

The episode discusses the intersections of queer history, community, sex, and substance use with guests Hugues and Jean-Sébastien.

Montreal Host Éric introduces Hugues and Jean-Sébastien to discuss the intersections of queer history, community, sex and substance use. Hugues, a researcher of queer spaces, shares his experience in PnP culture viewed through a lens of strict moderation. Jean-Sébastien, founder of "Ça prend un village," discusses his transition from addiction to recovery advocacy, highlighting the power of real stories to counter fear-based narratives. The group explores the link between HIV diagnosis and chemsex, with Hugues revealing how he once saw crystal meth as a potential "exit strategy." Jean-Sébastien echoes this, describing using drugs to navigate downfall on his own terms. Together, they unpack the history of "poz circles" as a sanctuary for sexuality free from stigma, ultimately finding that community connection. If you’re looking for support, please explore our list of Chemsex resources/services. 🔗 Other Resources Mentioned Ça prend un village (It Takes A Village): 4 testimonials from people who share their personal stories and explain how they came to build their own crystal meth recovery village. FOR guys in recovery, made BY guys in recovery. (In French only) Relation toxique…

People in this episode

Host: Éric

Guests: Hugues, Jean-Sébastien

Topics covered

• queer history
• community
• sex
• substance use
• HIV diagnosis
• chemsex
• recovery advocacy

Keywords

• PnP culture
• moderation
• addiction
• recovery
• community connection
• crystal meth
• HIV
• poz circles

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ça prend un village

Books & works: Relation toxique : portraits d’une dépendance

More episodes of Chemstories – a podcast about PnP/chemsex (English-language edition)

• 32. YHZ Maturity-Pt. 2 — I Know What I Am · May 22, 2026 · 30 min
• 31. YHZ Maturity-Pt. 1 — Hey Harry & Hector · May 21, 2026 · 30 min
• 30. YHZ Resilience-Pt. 2 — Giving Grace · May 15, 2026 · 31 min
• 29. YHZ Resilience-Pt. 1 — Hey Steven & James · May 15, 2026 · 33 min
• 28. YHZ Activism — Hey Andrew · May 8, 2026 · 28 min
• 27. YHZ Prelude — Why It's Important, Halifax · May 8, 2026 · 9 min