Asian Community AIDS Services calls for Public Support to
Fast-Track to End AIDS with Red Ribbon on the Rocket on World AIDS Day
Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) calls on all Torontonians to show their support to Fast-Track to End AIDS (UNAIDS, 2015) with our Red Ribbon on the Rocket campaign on Monday, November 30, 2015, the day before World AIDS Day at various TTC stations. We encourage all to join us this year to show support and commitment to end AIDS and HIV stigma.
To raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, ACAS staff and volunteers will be handing out information pamphlets & red ribbons to TTC riders at at Wellesley, Osgoode, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick stations on World AIDS Day eve, Monday, November 30 2015, between 4:00 pm – 6:30pm. Fast-Track to End AIDS is UNAIDS’ theme for World AIDS Day this year, an approach which calls for a focus on the locations, populations and programs that deliver the greatest impact; standing firm on the protection of human rights; and ensuring that leave no one behind.
Although working toward an end to HIV/AIDS within the Asian community often continues to be a struggle, ACAS continues to organize concerted community efforts in addressing these on-going challenges. Many community members often do not access information and services for their protection or survival as many still see HIV/AIDS as a taboo subject or feel HIV is an illness that warrants fear or shame. In addition, HIV-stigma continues to negatively impact people of colour; immigrants and refugees; gays, lesbians and trans persons; youth; women; people who use substances; and sex workers—community members whom we serve on a daily basis.
On December 1, 1994, Asian Community AIDS Services (ACSAS) was formed when Gay Asians Toronto’s Gay Asian AIDS Project, SEAS Centre’s Vietnamese AIDS Project, and the Toronto Chinese Health Education Committee’s AIDS Alert Project amalgamated as a coalition agency to support East and Southeast Asians living with and affected by HIV. It was a turning point for the agencies working to end AIDS within the Asian community, and signified communities working together to develop a collective response to HIV/AIDS while building a safer space for marginalized members of our communities.
Celebrating our 21st year in existence, ACAS continues to be a leader in providing innovative, community-driven, culturally and linguistically appropriate programming and services to the East and Southeast Asian HIV and LGBTQ communities in the Greater Toronto Area.
For more information about #RROR15, please visit the Facebook Event page at Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/121135718252937 or contact volunteer@acas.org
About Asian Community AIDS Services
ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) provides HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and support services to the East and Southeast Asian Canadian communities. Our programs are based on a pro-active and holistic approach to HIV/AIDS and are provided in a collaborative, empowering, and non-discriminatory manner.
