Monthly Archives: May 2015

Please note: The ACAS office is closed on Monday, May 18. We wish everyone a very happy and safe long weekend!   See everyone this Saturday, May 16, 2015 at #PinkDotToronto! #PinkDotTO Supporting the freedom to love! https://www.facebook.com/events/373403159517791/ Date/Time: Saturday, May 16 at 12:00PM Location: Market 707 (707 Dundas Street at Bathurst) Wear: PINK Pinkdot is a non-profit movement originating in Singapore by a group of individuals who care deeply and support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. While we are fortunate to have marriage equality in Toronto, LGBT Asians in Toronto still face challenges from their families, friends, and the greater Asian community. With little conversation about being LGBT and Asian, this under represented group still struggles with coming out to their family and friends. We are gathering in Chinatown to show there is support and love in our community for LGBT Asians who are still trying to find a place where they feel comfortable to be themselves. It is an event for everyone; straight, gay, and allies, who support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. This year on Saturday, May 16, Asian Community AIDS Services and the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter are pleased to present PinkDot Toronto. It will be hosted at the Scadding Court Community Centre, including a march through Chinatown. Show your support for queer Asians by wearing pink and march down Chinatown during Asian Heritage Month and International Day Against Homophobia/Transphobia! Friends, family and allies are welcome. ____________________________________________ #PinkDotTO (Chinatown Pride March and Community Picnic) is organized by Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) and Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO). Special thanks to Scadding Court Community Centre and Market 707 for providing us with the space for the event! Follow us on Twitter: @PinkDotToronto and join in [...]

JOB POSTING: Summer Student Job Position -  Straight Men Outreach Worker Application Deadline: Thursday, May 21, 2015 ACAS supports employment equity. Member of the East and Southeast Asian Canadian communities, and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply.

May is Asian Heritage Month! You can taken part in celebrating the diverse Asian cultures by visiting http://asian-heritage-month.org See the Schedule of Events for May 2015 Asian Heritage Month: http://www.vmacch.ca/alpha/index.html _______________________________________________________________ You can also visit The Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Cultural Heritage (http://www.vmacch.ca/beta/index.html) where you can explore the Virtual Exhibits and browse the Archives of Asian Canadian culture. ________________________________________________________________ *The "May is Asian Heritage Month" & "Join the Celebration"  artwork are taken from Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc. (http://www.vmacch.ca/alpha/index.html)

"What's New in HIV Treatment and Prevention"- ACAS Health Promotion Workshop by Dr. Darrell Tan,  MD FRCPC PhD, sponsored by Gilead at Cranberries Restaurant (April 10, 2015) You can also visit all the other ACAS Health Promotion Workshop at the ACAS HIV Treatment Information in Asian Languages Site. We would like to thank Dr. Tan for the continuous support he has provided to ACAS and QAY over the years. Dr Darrell Tan is an infectious diseases physician and clinician-scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. After completing undergraduate studies in Microbiology, Immunology & International Development Studies at McGill University in Montreal, he completed medical school, residency training and a PhD in clinical epidemiology at U of T. His research focuses on various aspects of HIV infection, including interactions with common sexually transmitted co-infections like herpes simplex virus and syphilis, as well as strategies for HIV prevention including pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. Dr. Tan was the Co-Chair of the CAHR 2015 Conference that just took place in Toronto between April 30 t0 May 3, 2015.

Spring is finally here! The ACAS and QAY crew have definitely not wasted any time to take advantage of the warm weather (as you can see for yourself!): Did you get S.L.A.M.-ed?! For REAL!!!  Yes, S.L.A.M.-ed as in did you attend our “Sex, Love, Asian, Men: REAL” sexual health forum put on by the lovely Richard, Ryan, and Ly of the ACAS Men’s Program? Over 40 Asian gay, bisexual, and queer men came together on April 25, 2015 to examine the realities of living as a sexual and racial minority within a culturally safe space. Participants not only showed each other their favourite dance moves but also participated in various discussions on oppression and privilege, the sexual hierarchy, love and relationships, and a “Talking ‘straight’ ” session presented by Christian Hui, Straight Talk Coordinator, on Asian heterosexual men who have sex with men. We would like to thank the planning committee and our dedicated team of volunteers for making this event such a success, as well as all the participants who had shared so openly and courageously as we build a stronger and healthier community of queer Asian men!   Women Self-Defense Due to popular demand, our Women’s Program once again held a free Self-Defence Class at the ACAS Women’s Social on Thursday April 16, 2015. Our first Self-Defence workshop took place in January 2015, and because it was so popular with our participants, we had to schedule another one in April! ACAS Women’s Program events are open to all self-identified East and Southeast Asian Women and Trans* Women.    Fighting HIV Stigma with the Rotary Club  ACAS was very honoured to be fighting HIV stigma with the Rotary Club. On April 15, 2015, our Community Engagement Coordinator, Christian Hui, along with community members from other local AIDS service organizations, [...]