ACAS would like to wish everyone a very Safe, Prosperous, and Sexually Healthy Lunar New Year!
恭賀新禧!
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới”!
새해 복 많이 받으세요!
Shine Jiliin Bayariin Mend Hurgeye!
迎春!
Losar-la Tashi Delek!
Welcome Volunteers!
ACAS wanted to give our new volunteers a very warm welcome! We thank you for your time and commitment to making ACAS an warm and welcoming home for East/Southeast Asians from the HIV and LGBTQ communities.
Welcome New Staff and Placement Student, Michael and Heidi!
If you have not already met our lovely new Men’s Outreach Worker, Michael Adia, and Master of Social Work placement student from York University, Heidi Cho, please come and say hi to them next time you are at the office!
Our Youth Are Our Future!
Have you seen our new series of QAY Poster Campaign?
Listen to the 3 unique stories of queer Asian youth; stories about struggles with bullying, coming out, transitioning, mental health, racism… and how they overcame them.
QAY Discussion Series: Mental Health and Stigma
On Friday, February 5, 2016, Heidi facilitated a QAY Discussion Series on Mental Health and Stigma. The art-based discussion focused on the unique experiences of South East/East Asians, newcomers, young people and members of the LGBTTQIA* community on mental health; how mental health stigma plays out in our families, communities, schools and workplaces; and whether mainstream responses to mental health such as the Bell Talk Campaign and ‘positive thinking ‘ mentality meet the needs of queer Asian youths. Participants were able to leave the workshop with coping strategies they have shared with one another on ways how they may deal with mental health concerns.
HUMPDAY: January
Wednesdays can be the hardest day to get through during the week. Now you can look forward to a Gay Asian potluck every month with games, opportunities to meet new friends & reconnect with old ones! On Wednesday, January 27, 2016, those who came to HumpDay realized the following: Yes, stuffing our faces with donuts is not a bad thing especially in good company!
ACAS Men’s Program presents SLAM!: Sex Love Asian Men!
SLAM! addresses health and social issues within the LGBT Asian Men community, and is a program which helps discussion, education, and lifestyles. Our goal is to create a place to discuss and share our experiences, our skills and knowledge with our peers of all orientation, and by exploring holistic and empowering approaches to our identity: physical, emotional, and sexual.
Women’s Program Improv Night; Self Expression
Due to popular demand, ACAS Women’s Program had another free Improv 101 social on Wednesday February 3rd, 2016. The Improv socials is a fun way to learn how to express oneself, and get to know one another!
ACAS International Youth Interns Update
Our youth interns, Sahar Hussain and Ryan Tran, arrived safely in Bangkok! The Thai National AIDS Foundation (TNAF) staff welcomed the interns with Northeastern style Thai food. Sahar will take on the role as the Resource Mobilization & Community Engagement Assistant, while Ryan will take on his the role as a Youth HIV Outreach Worker.
February 2016 is set to be an exciting and busy month for ACAS. We look forward to seeing you this month!
