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ACAS is a proud co-presenter of Samantha Lee’s “Billie & Emma” at the @InsideOutTO #LGBTIQ2S Film Festival. Which casted real queer actors in a #QPOC feminist film which spreads the message of #SelfLove. Set in the ‘90s, Billie and Emma explores the turbulent nature of young love and the importance of having someone to laugh with through it all. Samantha Lee, a fierce advocate for greater representation of women and LGBTQ+ communities in cinema, delivers a heartwarming high school romance that is steeped in charm and expansive expression. Lee will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. ACAS was thrilled to co-present this film at @InsideOutFilmFestival at TIFF Bell Lightbox!  

Thank you OMNI Television Reporter Jiaolin Tian for sending ACAS the interview segment on the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan on #IDAHOT2019 which was aired during the OMNI Catonese National News on May 17, 2019. 🌈  

OMNI Television News interviewed ACAS for #IDAHOT2019 🌈 and the legalization of same sex marriage in Taiwan recently!  

Noulmook, our ACAS Executive Director pictured here with guest speaker Alvin Leung- Demon Chef and Richard Lee from SEAS Centre. May 11, 19 ACAS joined Asian Heritage Month kick off at the Scarborough Town Centre which was hosted by the Chinese Community Consultative Committee and Community Partnership and Engagement Unit, Toronto Police.    

"May is Asian Heritage Month. Canadians are invited to learn more about and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian origin who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today." -https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month.html We invite you to celebrate Asian heritages with us all month and don't forget about May 11th when the pinkdotTO happens! A day to celebrate and showcase LGBTQ+ Asians, families, and allies in Toronto! Featuring the first ever Super Trans Asian Runway, a Queer Asian Youth Stage, door prizes, giveaways, special programs for families and a special performance by Sofonda Cox.     http://acas.orgevent/pinkdot-toronto-2019/

ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) would like to thank the Parliamentary Secretary of Multiculturalism, MP Gary Anandasangaree, for visiting our office last week to learn how we as a recognized leader in the sexual health sector address racism, HIV-phobia and homo- and trans- phobia faced by members of the racialized LGBTQI2S+ community to inform the work of the new Federal Anti-Racism Strategy.    

Dear Queer Cis- and Trans- Asian gay/bi men who like men! Spring has sprung! Want to do something Fun and Meaningful? -Gain skills through fun activities -Develop greater sense of self -Become a “CHAMP” to fight discrimination -Help build a vibrant community Join us for the ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) Champs in Action by ACAS for Queer Cis- and Trans- Asian gay/bi men who like men Training! Location: ACAS Office, 260 Spadina Ave, Suite 410) Dates: Saturday, May 25, and June 1, 8, 15, 2019. Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Light breakfast, lunch and TTC tokens provided. $100 honorarium upon completion of all 4 days of training Spaces are limited. To register, contact volunteer@acas.org and community@acas.org before Friday, May 17, 2019. https://www.facebook.com/CHAMPSinActionbyACAS

Thank you to Mark Atanasoff, executive director of OAHAS, Ontario HIV/AIDS Aboriginal Strategy for presenting on Truth and Reconciliation and how we can do our part on April 24th, 2019.

Rainbow Exchange is a gathering series for all LGBTQ2 folks to share their cultures and languages through food sharing! There will also be an educational workshop included in each session. Topic includes Sexual Health & Harm Reduction. Delicious dinner is provided, spots are limited, registration is required. Priority will be given to people who can commit to attend all 3 sessions. Register with Sucre at gaap@acas.org Looking forward to meeting you and get to know more of your cultures! May 1st, 15th, 30th. 6-9pm

QAY and AFFIRM presents: Coping Skills Training! Come join QAY and AFFIRM as we go through several interactive and engaging workshops that promote coping skills geared towards queer and trans East and Southeast Asian youth (14-29)! You will receive compensation, some light refreshments and tokens! Some of the topics we will be covering are overcoming negative feelings, developing safer and affirming social networks and much more! We will be meeting every Tuesday (starting May 21 to July 16, 2019), at the ACAS office (260 Spadina Ave, unit 410) from 5:30 – 7:30PM. If you’re free, want to eat some delicious Asian food, meet other like-minded queer and trans Asian youth and want to receive compensation, these workshops are for you! If you want to register, you can e-mail Gabriel at youth@acas.org to register! OR (1) you can visit www.projectyouthaffirm.org, (2) Fill out the registration form (online screening) and make sure you choose “Asian Community AIDS Services” as your preferred location (3) and someone from the AFFIRM team will contact you with a confirmation! If you have any questions about the AFFIRM project, you can contact them at youthaffirm@gmail.com DATE: May 21 – July 16 2019 (meeting every Tuesday) LOCATION: ACAS office (260 Spadina Ave, Unit 410) TIME: 5:30 – 7:30 PM