Garth McIver is a new Quirk-e member (2023) and with the group’s help he hopes to explore the possibility of a hidden writing talent. He was raised in a rural farming community in Manitoba, the youngest of four. He did well in school, had many friends, supportive parents, and despite a tormenting deep secret graduated from medical school at age 23 (far too young, he says).
His career took him from working with First Nations in the far north, to Vancouver public health and corrections, then to a year stint as an ER doctor in Saudi Arabia. In 1980, he relocated to New Orleans and became involved with the HIV epidemic, admitting the first AIDS patient to a major hospital there. HIV care led to inner-city and addiction studies and care, which he continued after returning to Vancouver in 1994, working in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. He eventually became Director of Addiction Services for Vancouver. After retirement, he stayed active with work as a practice auditor and mentor to physicians at his college until his full retirement in his early seventies. Garth sees the pendulum of freedom and individual rights swinging towards the fear mongering of the far right and believes queer stories need to be heard.
