Non-profit organizations ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) have once again to host virtually event 2021
Join us virtually on June 20, 2021 from 3-6 pm EST
Email Jarucha “Oh” at socialmedia@acas.org for more information
PinkDot TO 2021: Stop Asian Hate
Event info:
Date/Time: Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 3:00 pm
Platform: ACAS YouTube channel live streaming
www.youtube.com/c/ACASAsianCommunityAIDSServices
Toronto, ON – June 1, 2021 – On Sunday, June 20 at 3:00 p.m. ACAS is virtually hosting Pinkdot on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 3:00 pm on the ACAS Youtube channel via live streaming, and this year will feature #StopAsianHate message to raise awareness within the Asian community and beyond. This event will be hosted by Vong Show and will feature performances, interviews, and various other formats, as well as supportive videos from special guests.
“The struggle of Asian communities is our collective struggle. ACAS calls with acute urgency for solidarity, unity, and unencumbered advocacy in support of all those affected by Asian hate. We call for a stop to the senseless violence against Asians, against elderly Asians, against Asian labourers, against Asian sex workers. In this spirit, we focus our PinkDot TO efforts on the important theme of #StopAsianHate.” said Lindsey Li ACAS Board Chair.
PinkDot TO this year will be a live virtual showcase on YouTube. Moreover, donations raised by this event will assist the Asian community. Before, during, and after the live streaming PinkDot TO, all donors can take the opportunity to support the event at ACAS Canadahelps.org. These donations will go towards the ACAS Asian LGBTQ+ and Support programs which assist Asian people who face discrimination.
In an effort to break the community silence and to showcase family support for Asian LGBTQ+ members, since 2014 PinkDot TO has been actively creating a much-needed community space where queer Asians can feel comfortable to be themselves, increase visibility of their existence, and garner support from the broader community. The event is open to all—gay, bi, queer, trans, straight and allies—those who believe that everyone deserves the freedom to love.
Ever since the pandemic started, the Asian community faced challenging circumstances. According to police department data compiled by California State University’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver were all in the top 4 North American cities for reported anti-Asian Hate Crimes in 2020. Vancouver reported more anti-Asian hate crimes than all of the other top 4 cities combined.
THINK PINK
What is PinkDot
PinkDot is a non-profit movement originating in Singapore in 2009 in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) community by a group of individuals who care deeply and support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. Attendees of PinkDot events gather to form a giant pink dot in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love. PinkDot has inspired many around the world to show their support and love for LGBTQ communities. While we are fortunate to have marriage equality in Toronto, LGBTQ+ Asians in Toronto still face many challenges. Queer Asians are often under-represented or sometimes seem non-existent in both the Asian and the LGBTQ+ communities. With little visibility, it is harder to discover safe spaces for queer Asians. We also invite straight allies to show that there is support and love in our community for queer Asians who are still trying to find a place where they feel comfortable being themselves.
ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) has provided HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and support services to the East and Southeast Asian Canadian HIV and LGBTQ communities for over 25 years. ACAS programs are based on a pro-active and holistic approach to HIV/AIDS and are provided in a collaborative, empowering, and non-discriminatory manner.
For more information, please go to http://acas.orgpinkdot-to/
The link to PinkDot TO 2021 Social Media Toolkit of materials is here, which members of the public and community partners are welcome to use for promotional efforts.