Community ResourcesHIV and AIDS. Sexually transmitted infections. Coming out. Fitting in and finding friends. Feeling good about yourself. These are just some of the many things that affect the lives of gay and bisexual men, and of other men who have sex with men. Healthy living is not just something you talk about at the doctor's office. It is something we all strive to achieve in all sorts of ways everyday: mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually. The good news is that there are lots of community resources and supports available. Here are some links to agencies and groups that are here to help you stay well: HIV & AIDSWhether you are HIV-negative or HIV-positive or unsure of your HIV status, protecting yourself and your sex partners from infection (or re-infection) with HIV is important. The following organizations are here for you. You can get free condoms and lubricant, find out more about HIV/AIDS, or talk to someone about your fears and concerns. Many of these groups can provide services in languages other than English.AIDS Committee of Toronto AIDS Committee of Toronto - Portuguese-speaking Men's Outreach Program Asian Community AIDS Services Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention Centre for Spanish-speaking Peoples - AIDS Program HIV TESTING Hassle Free Men's Clinic Note: Men's Clinic hours are: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)Sex is fun. And it's natural. But it's possible to pick up more than you bargained for. In addition to HIV, there are a host of other sexually transmitted infections that you can get. However, there are things that you can do to reduce your chances of getting an STI - and still enjoy some hot, steamy action! To find out more about STIs you can contact the AIDS Committee of Toronto, or Hassle Free Men's Clinic. If you think you might have an STI, Hassle Free Clinic can let you know for sure and get you treatments. Coming OutDo you have sex with other men? Think you might be gay? Maybe you're bisexual? Confused? You're not alone. There are many community organizations where you can talk to someone about your attraction to other men (and what this might mean).Central Toronto Youth Services 416-924-2100 Fitting in and Finding FriendsToronto is a big city. Sometimes it's hard to find your place in it. Luckily, there are many social and recreational organizations for men who have sex with other men. They offer a chance to meet new people and maybe make some lasting friendships. To find out about the many groups in the city, check out the Community links in the Pink Pages (www.pinkpages.org) or 365gay.com (www.365gay.com) Feeling Good About YourselfWe're constantly bombarded with images and messages that try to tell us what is beautiful: what we should be wearing, how we should spend our time, what we should think about our bodies . . . Who needs all that? Forget what the magazines and television ads are trying to make you believe. Be happy the way you are. It's perfectly fine to want to get in shape; just make sure that you're doing it because it makes you feel better and not because you think your body has to look a certain way. Beauty comes in many shapes, sizes, colours and, ages. We all live in a media saturated society, and sometimes the pressure to conform can seem overwhelming. That stress can have a negative effect on our health. So don't bend to the trend - create your own trend. Be yourself: that's the real way to be fabulous. For links to other HIV/AIDS-related community resources, check ACT's Services database (www.actoronto.org/services)
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