July in Review: Pride 2013 & Scotia Run Launch
Summer is here, and ACAS would like to thank everyone, including the newly crowned Miss Charlene Gutierez, winner of Miss Gay Philippines Canada, and first runner-up Miss J. Monroe, as well as long time supporters the Three Queens of the Philippines for taking part in the ACAS 2013 Pride events this year. Pride signifies diversity, acceptance of LGBTQ persons and the need to combat homophobia as well as HIV stigma and discrimination. ACAS took part in the Trans March, Dyke March and the main Pride Parade this year with over 70 marchers and featuring our #SuperQueer ACAS heros! Following the artistic tradition of our talented youths, the Powerpuff Queers held centre stage at the QAY Stage during Pride Saturday. The line of up talents this year include crowd favourites such as the DestinAsian Dance Crew, Drag sensation Jolin Starr, as well as, Ramon Vi, Annie Sun, Dento Lam, David Tang, and Marc Castillo. With such hot weather, who would like to stay indoors? During this past month, ACAS once again took part in the Taste of Thailand and helped spread important safer sex and healthy relationship messages to the large crowd of revelers who were savouring the delicacies of Thai cuisine. Food and sex, what a satisfying combination! To cool off in the heatwave, ACAS Women’s and Youth Programs as well as the Support Program all held a picnic at Woodbine beach on July 27th. It was certainly a fun time relaxing on the beach and catching up with one another over delicious food with good friends! We would like to wish Heywon Kim, Women’s Outreach and Education Program Coordinator, best of luck with her CIDA CIDA International Youth Internship in Thailand. Heywon will be working with the Thai National AIDS Foundation, our project partner, as a Youth Outreach Worker. Starting August, please follow her work through the ACAS Blog. [...]