February was not only the Lunar New Year, but it was also a Leap Month!
ACAS wishes everyone a very Safe, Prosperous, and Sexually Healthy New Year ahead, and that you will have double the fun!
恭賀新禧! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới”! 새해 복 많이 받으세요!
Shine Jiliin Bayariin Mend Hurgeye! 迎春! Losar-la Tashi Delek!
Welcome James Lee, ACAS Photovoice Project Coordinator!
We would like to welcome our latest staff member to join ACAS, James Lee. As the Photovoice Project Coordinator, James will be utilizing his background in digital arts to empower Asians living with HIV through the power of story-telling via photography.
Country of Origin: Canada
Language(s): English and rudimentary Cantonese
How long you have worked at ACAS: I have been involved with ACAS more intensely since 2015!
In one sentence, briefly describe what you like about your role/job at ACAS:
I get to combine art, outreach and advocacy!
Three Likes (it can be anything that you like):
Food, Music, Design
Comment to site visitor (brief sentence of anything you would like to say to the site visitor or service user):
Life is your canvas, make it a masterpiece.
(416) 963-4300 ∙ photovoice@acas.org
The ACAS Photovoice Project:
The ACAS Photovoice 2016 project is looking to capture and share the realities of what it means to be HIV positive and Asian. Centered around the “Engagement Cascade” and the central key fields of: I Matter, I Belong, I Participate, I Access, I Contribute, and I Desire. We hope to further engage PHAs -supporting their “Treatment Cascade”, access and connection to services, community and overall health and well-being. Photovoice aims to empower through photography and artistic expression PHAs, and share their message with the public at large.
The Photovoice project will give participants skills in how to take photos, modern mobile photography, successful photography principles and theory, post production, apps and enhancement technologies as well as how to express themselves, make artist statements and talk about their artwork in meaningful and accessible ways.
A final exhibition will be held both physically and digitally to share the work and messages generated from the group with the public at large. (Participants may opt to be anonymous or use pseudonyms, names and identities will be kept private).
ACAS is also working collaboratively with Taiwain’s Lourdes Association (www.lourdes.org.tw/) –a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting those with and affected by HIV in Taiwan. Generous funding has been provided by the MAC AIDS foundation (www.macaidsfund.org/)
This international photo exhibit will be posted online as well to reach a wider audience to share the message of what it means to be HIV+ across borders.
Workshops run from March – July 2016, with photo exhibition finale some time in July 2016.
For those interested in joining the project an initial information orientation session will be held March 10, 2016 6pm-730 pm at the ACAS offices (260 Spadina Avenue, Suite 410).
DETAILS:
-Open to HIV+ East and Southeast Asians
-Honorarium of $250 upon completion and full attendance of 5 workshops + 2 meetings
-Workshops tentatively set for Thursdays (twice a month) at 6-8:30 pm with light refreshments served from March-July 2016
-Limited Space (application does not guarantee entry)
-Attend the orientation to find out more!
Please RSVP to photovoice@acas.org
Spank the Monkey! Be Sexually Healthy this Year!
This is the Year of the Monkey and you know these primates love to have as much fun just like us! To welcome the year of the Monkey, the Men’s and Women’s Programs of ACAS both held events that promoted the sexual health of members of the Asian community.
ACAS and Thai Society of Ontario collaborate to host Raising Sexually Healthy Children!
On February 27, 2016, ACAS and Thai Society of Ontario held a very successful Raising Sexually Healthy Children workshop aimed at improving communication skills between adults and children about sexual health and ways to provide empowering sexual health education to children. Thanks Inex for leading the session and the Thai Society of Ontario for providing us with the space for such important workshop!
HumpDay!
Who can resist HumpDay, the Men’s Program’s end-of-month Potluck Social event? This month, the boys and men had a theme night “Love Bug” where they planned for the monthly Asian Bathhouse Night and a Valentine’s Day themed event at Spa SX.
Happy Valentine’s Day: Love Positive Women!
ACAS Women’s Support Program received a donation of MAC cosmetics from Ontario AIDS Network to promote “Love Positive Women”, a provincial initiative for women living with HIV on Valentine’s Day!
“Love Positive Women” is a global campaign and project that was created in response to the lack of celebratory action within the HIV movement, in particular within the HIV-positive women’s movement.
In 2013, Visual AIDS Artist and International Community of Women (ICW) member Jessica Whitbread, in collaboration with Visual AIDS, established “Love Positive Women: Romance Starts at Home!” as a call to action. Structured in connection with Valentine’s Day, “Love Positive Women” is an ongoing set of projects happening around and beyond February 14th, using social media and good old-fashioned word of mouth, to connect grassroots communities and enable relationship-building, as well as love and compassion for women living with HIV/AIDS.
SLAM! Presents: Speed Dating for Asian Men
In spirit of Valentine’s Day, the ACAS Men’s Program S.L.A.M.! held a lovely and sexy Speed Dating event at the 519 Church Street Community Centre on February 19, 2016.
The event provided a friendly and welcoming way to meet many new potential friends and partners.
Monkey sees, Monkey plays!
Well, not only is the Monkey a lovely animal, but it loves to play as well! See how the various ACAS programs have provided fun-filled activities in February!
ACAS Women’s Program hosts Another Night of Improv: Self-Expression
Due to popular demand, the ACAS Women’s Program held another free Improv 101 social on February 3rd, 2016 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Improv is a great way to learn about ways to express oneself and communicate one’s emotions with others. Thank you Inex for hosting this popular new series of workshops for our Women’s Program members!
Queeraoke: QAY House Karaoke Night!
Move over, Canadian Idol! Our Queer Asian Youths sang their hearts out on February 12, 2016 at the Queeraoke session. We have a feeling you will be hearing from some of these talents some time!
Have you ever RIM’ed on Ice?
Well, this is exactly what our group of Queer Asian Youths did on February 20, 2016 as they ice-skated at the Harbourfront Natrel Park and enjoyed hot cocoa with a group of good friends afterwards. Now, don’t say you can never RIM on Ice again!
ACAS International Youth Interns Update
On February 8-9, Ryan and Sahar attended the CSO (Civil Society Organizations) Coalition Building Workshop for Thailand’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Bangkok, organized by UPRinfo and Canada AustralianAid. They also sat with Kath Khangpiboon, Thai LGBT activist!
Happy New Year and Thank You Toronto Police Services 42 Division Chinese Community Liaison Committee (CCLC)!
Last but not least, we would like to thank our long-time partner and supporter, the Toronto Police Services 42 Division Chinese Community Liaison Committee for inviting ACAS as part of an amazing, fun and meaningful Chinese New Year Fundraising Gala. The Gala raised funds for the 42 Division CCLC Scholarship Program for students entering universities. (In photo: With 42 Division CCLC Chair Ben Lau, Manager of Diversity and Inclusion and former ACAS Board Chair, Andre Goh, and ACAS staff members Mina and Christian).
It’s almost Spring! See you at the end of March 2016 for another Monthly Review Update!
