International Students Year-End Knowledge Exchange Forum
Over the last few months, ACAS has had the opportunity to conduct a community needs assessment with respect to HIV prevention for East and Southeast Asian gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) international students, and we are now excited to be able to share some of our findings to fellow community partners and service providers. As such, we are delighted to invite you to our Year-End Knowledge Exchange Forum on June 30th, 2020 from 2:30pm-4:30pm EST (via Zoom)! This event will include an opening testimonial, presentation of our findings, a panel discussion with community members, researchers and service providers to discuss emerging needs from their work with respect to HIV prevention and treatment access, specifically among East and Southeast Asian GBMSM international students. Our goal of this forum is not only to present some of our findings, but to also engage with community members, service providers and other researchers across sectors to generate a conversation about the unique needs of international students while also identifying how we can collectively better support international students. If you are interested, please sign up in the following Survey Monkey link below. Space will be limited, so please register early! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9FTKCRB Thanks, and we hope to see you at the forum!
OPA+ Gathering Session 1
This event is only for Asians living with HIV/AIDS (APHA) in Ontario. Ontario Positive Asians (OPA+) is an independent, peer-driven network for self-identified Asians living with HIV/AIDS (APHA) in Ontario and provides a culturally-safe space for members this diverse, vibrant, and culturally-rich community. Our first evening on August 10, we start off with a bang of social connection via Zoom moderate by our peer cohosts. We believe many of us is longing for social connection and this is a great opportunity to reconnect. Second part of the evening we invited HQ Health Hub Mr. Jay Katz from OHTN as a presenter, he will give us an overview of the new HQ health Hub for LGBTQ community. In this session you will learn how this hub will benefit our community and services/program they provide. Our second night of the gathering on August 17, we are pleased to have one of our original founders of O.P.A. Mr. Christian Hui to present on harm reduction which he is so passionate in this topic. During this session you will find ways to support individuals who are experiencing the process in harm reduction plus more. Our last part of the evening we will have a panel discussion on racism led by our peers. They are going to share their perspectives in racism and hopefully we can generate a healthy conversation amongst each other. REGISTRATION: Registration will be on a first come first served basis since we have limited capacity. Please mention on your registration which evening you would like to participate to Alex Ma at support@acas.org Once we confirm your registration, Alex will send you a follow up e-mail with the link of Zoom. If you have any concern on navigating Zoom, please let Alex be aware of it and he will [...]
Pillow Talk Workshop: Am I Good to You or Just Bad to Myself?
Am I Good to You or Just Bad to Myself?: Finding Balance Between Selflessness and Self-Care led by Karen B.K. Chan August 11, 7:30pm - 9pm (Register by Sunday, August 9th) TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/nCtGuBMXtR5ATRm1A Put others before yourself. Be polite, modest, responsible, and self-sufficient. Self-sacrifice benefits the greater good. These are values that many of us were raised with and/or choose for ourselves. Their merits are obvious. But, how do those values reconcile with self-care, boundaries, and having our own needs met? Do you feel guilty when you say "no"? Do you prioritize others to the detriment of yourself? Do you find yourself exhausted, overly responsible, and resentful? In this interactive workshop, we will explore these ideas, connect them to identity and relationships, and seek balance. We'll develop collective empathy and individual aspirations. We'll breathe, sigh, and rejuvenate a little. Please join us for this year's Pillow Talk: From Isolation to Intimacy, an online forum about sexuality, intimacy, & relationships by and for Asian ciswomen, transwomen, and nonbinary folks, hosted by ACAS. Please register soon to ensure that you get a spot in our workshops! Who can participate? Asian women, Asian transgender women, & Asian non-binary folks 18 years and up East Asian and Southeast Asian background We acknowledge that there is unfortunate wording used in this post for legal / funding reasons. Transwomen are women, and anyone who says otherwise is scum. [Image Description: A femme-presenting figure lays on a pillow on the left side of the image with one of their hands to their face as they look off to the side. There is a phone on the right side of the image. On the pillows and blanket that comes up from the bottom of the photo include all the text above. The image has tones of purple, pink, and [...]
Pillow Talk Workshop: Meno-Pause Right There!
Meno-Pause Right There!: A Workshop on the Ins and Outs of Menopause led by Anda Li August 13, 6:00pm - 8pm (Register by Tuesday, August 11th) TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/nCtGuBMXtR5ATRm1A What is menopause? What happens during menopause? How can I prepare for its coming? What happens after menopause? If you don't know the answer to at least one of these questions, this workshop is for you! Taking care of a changing body isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be hard, either. Learn all about how to best prepare for menopause as early as your mid-twenties. Please join us for this year's Pillow Talk: From Isolation to Intimacy, an online forum about sexuality, intimacy, & relationships by and for Asian ciswomen, transwomen, and nonbinary folks, hosted by ACAS. Please register soon to ensure that you get a spot in our workshops! Who can participate? Asian women, Asian transgender women, & Asian non-binary folks 18 years and up East Asian and Southeast Asian background We acknowledge that there is unfortunate wording used in this post for legal / funding reasons. Transwomen are women, and anyone who says otherwise is scum. [Image Description: A femme-presenting figure lays on a pillow on the right side of the image, obsuring most of their face with a book while looking at the audience. There is another book on the left side of the image. On the pillows and blanket that comes up from the bottom of the photo include all the text above. The image has tones of purple, pink, and white all over it.]
Pillow Talk Workshop: The Internal Evolution, Irritability & Struggles
NEW WORKSHOP!!! If you've already signed up for Pillow Talk using the form linked, please email us at pillowtalkACAS@gmail.com. "The Internal Evolution, Irritability & Struggles" led by Anoushka D'souza of Conxcious Prodxtions (@nunusvybz on Instagram)! August 14, 6:00pm - 7:30pm TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/nCtGuBMXtR5ATRm1A We will begin & end with a gentle basic Meditation. This session will highlight how to become a powerful manifestor of the realities you want to create. Cultivating awareness around our Evolution. How to process & overcome irritability. Meditating on our Struggles- How to develop a smoothness to our struggles. Our facilitator Anoushka D'souza is a meditation Integration Coach, specializing in healing Ancestral trauma, and helping people with lack of confidence. Please join us for this year's Pillow Talk: From Isolation to Intimacy, an online forum about sexuality, intimacy, & relationships by and for Asian ciswomen, transwomen, and nonbinary folks, hosted by ACAS. Please register soon to ensure that you get a spot in our workshops! Who can participate? Asian women, Asian transgender women, & Asian non-binary folks 18 years and up East Asian and Southeast Asian background We acknowledge that there is unfortunate wording used in this post for legal / funding reasons. Transwomen are women, and anyone who says otherwise is scum. Register at https://forms.gle/nCtGuBMXtR5ATRm1A [Image Description: One femme-presenting figure is seen lounging on a pillow on the top right. They look at the audience and their hands are over their head. There are several pillows on the left side and under them in the middle of the image. On the pillows and blanket that comes up from the bottom of the photo include all the text above. The image has tones of purple, pink, and white all over it.]
OPA+ Gathering Session 2
This event is only for Asians living with HIV/AIDS (APHA) in Ontario. Ontario Positive Asians (OPA+) is an independent, peer-driven network for self-identified Asians living with HIV/AIDS (APHA) in Ontario and provides a culturally-safe space for members this diverse, vibrant, and culturally-rich community. This is our second night of the OPA+ gathering on August 17. We are pleased to have one of our original founders of O.P.A. Mr. Christian Hui to present on harm reduction which he is so passionate in this topic. During this session you will find ways to support individuals who are experiencing the process in harm reduction plus more. Our last part of the evening we will have a panel discussion on racism led by our peers. They are going to share their perspectives in racism and hopefully we can generate a healthy conversation amongst each other. REGISTRATION: Registration will be on a first come first served basis since we have limited capacity. Please mention on your registration which evening you would like to participate to Alex Ma at support@acas.org Once we confirm your registration, Alex will send you a follow up e-mail with the link of Zoom. If you have any concern on navigating Zoom, please let Alex be aware of it and he will do his best to support you. For more info about OPA+ see our website: http://acas.orgabout/opa/ https://ontariopa.wixsite.com/opaplus/
Pillow Talk Workshop: Don’t Sleep on My Identity
Don’t Sleep on My Identity: A Discussion on Interactions with Intersectional Identities and Intimacy led by Dany Ko August 18, 6:00pm - 8pm (Register by Sunday, August 16th) TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/nCtGuBMXtR5ATRm1A What does it mean to be at the intersection of a multitude of identities, especially in intimate situations? How does being Asian influence how you interact with other people and yourself? Come talk it out, share your stories, and empathize with others as we work through collective (yet different) experiences of identity and intimacy. Please join us for this year's Pillow Talk: From Isolation to Intimacy, an online forum about sexuality, intimacy, & relationships by and for Asian ciswomen, transwomen, and nonbinary folks, hosted by ACAS. Please register soon to ensure that you get a spot in our workshops! Who can participate? Asian women, Asian transgender women, & Asian non-binary folks 18 years and up East Asian and Southeast Asian background We acknowledge that there is unfortunate wording used in this post for legal / funding reasons. Transwomen are women, and anyone who says otherwise is scum. [Image Description: Two femme-presenting figures lay on the right and left sides of a pillow. They are facing each other and it seems like one is talking and the other is listening. There are a few pillows between them. On the pillows and blanket that comes up from the bottom of the photo include all the text above. The image has tones of purple, pink, and white all over it.]
Protech Townhall: COVID19 impact on Asian LGBTQ
(繁體中文和简体中文在下面) Are you a queer or trans Asian facing these issues during covid19: social isolation, racism, insufficent income? We want to hear from you! Join our virtual town hall for the Covid-19 impact on Asian LGBTQ+ community! Wednesday, August 19, 6 PM to 8 PM. Let’s connect, share our stories and find ways to support each other. Register for this FREE event now shorturl.at/yz156. This event is co-sponsored by PROTECH & Asian Community AIDS Services. Students, seniors and people living with HIV are welcome. Please see the event poster attached. Please feel free to forward this information to anyone you think may be interested. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions. (繁體中文) 新冠病毒大流行期間,很多人面臨著社交隔離、種族歧視、收入不足…你是否正在經歷這些問題的酷兒或跨性別亞裔? 我們希望與你取得聯繫! 加入我們的線上市民大會! 8月19日周三下午6點-8點,讓我們一起相聚, 分享我們的故事,找到在這個特殊時期互幫互助的方法! 本次活動費用全免,馬上掃碼報名參加這次免費的線上活動!點擊 此鏈接 shorturl.at/yz156 。歡迎分享! 本次活動由保泰社區抗疫行動 和亞洲社區爱滋病服務共同舉辦。 特別歡迎學生、長者和愛滋病毒攜帶者前來參加。 請參閱以下的活動海報。 請大家將此信息轉發給你身邊有需要的人,或感興趣的親朋好友!如果您有任何問題,請隨時聯系我們。 (简体中文) 新冠病毒大流行期间,很多人面临着社交隔离、种族歧视、收入不足…你是否正在经历这些问题的同志或跨性别亚裔? 我们希望与你取得联系! 加入我们的线上市民大会! 8月19日周三下午6点-8点,让我们一起相聚, 分享我们的故事,找到在这个特殊时期互帮互助的方法! 本次活动费用全免,马上扫码报名参加这次免费的线上活动!点击此链接 shorturl.at/yz156 。欢迎分享! 本次活动由保泰社区抗疫行动 和 亚洲社区艾滋病服务 共同举办。 特别欢迎学生、长者和艾滋病毒携带者前来参加。 请参阅以下的活动海报。 请大家将此信息转发给你身边有需要的人,或感兴趣的亲朋好友!如果您有任何问题,请随时联系我们。
Pillow Talk Workshop: Oh, Sheet! Cover-ing All Your Bases
Oh, Sheet! Cover-ing All Your Bases: Sexual Health, STIs, and HIV/AIDs 101 led by Tasneem Badshah August 20, 6:00pm - 8pm (Register by Tuesday, August 18th) TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/nCtGuBMXtR5ATRm1A Perhaps it's your first time learning about sexual health practices, STIs, and HIV/AIDS. Perhaps you just need a review. or perhaps it's a mix of both, and you want to learn more! join us in this interactive workshop as we go over basic HIV/AIDS information, STI symptoms, safe sex practices, and more. Remember, taking care of your body includes sexual health, too! Please join us for this year's Pillow Talk: From Isolation to Intimacy, an online forum about sexuality, intimacy, & relationships by and for Asian ciswomen, transwomen, and nonbinary folks, hosted by ACAS. Please register soon to ensure that you get a spot in our workshops! Who can participate? Asian women, Asian transgender women, & Asian non-binary folks 18 years and up East Asian and Southeast Asian background We acknowledge that there is unfortunate wording used in this post for legal / funding reasons. Transwomen are women, and anyone who says otherwise is scum. [Image Description: On femme-presenting figure is seen lounging on a pillow on the top left. Their eyes are closed and their hands are over their head. There are several pillows on the right side and under them in the middle of the image. On the pillows and blanket that comes up from the bottom of the photo include all the text above. The image has tones of purple, pink, and white all over it.]
SLAM Forum: Community Games & Social
Community Games & Social Friday August 21, 8:00pm - 10:00pm EST It's a gay Asian happy hour! We know this pandemic can feel lonely. Let's get together for some fun company and meet new friends. We'll set up breakout rooms for different online games to play (like Jackbox, Charades, Pictionary), while the main room will be for guys who want to chit chat. Admission is free. Registration required at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/slam2020This event is for East and Southeast Asian gay, bi, queer cisgender and transgender men living in and near Ontario, Canada. The SLAM! Forum (Sex Love Asian Men!) is an interactive learning forum on sex, health, relationships, and lifestyle for self-identified for cis & trans gay, bi, queer East and Southeast Asian men. For the SLAM Forum: Hindsight 2020, we will share, learn, and connect together in our experiences through multiple online sessions held throughout the weekend of August 21-24. For your convenience, you can attend as many sessions as you'd like. To protect the safety and confidentiality of our community, the sessions will not be recorded. This event is funded by ViiV Healthcare