ACT e-Bulletin, Vol. 4 No. 5
November/December 2009 Thank you for subscribing to the AIDS Commitee of Toronto's e-Bulletin. We hope you enjoy our news! If you'd prefer not to receive the e-Bulletin by email, simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom. |
| Annual Report 2008-2009 |  |
Now that we are coming to the end of our current strategic plan, this report illustrates how we have accomplished the goals we set out for ACT five years ago. | |
| U.S. travel ban to be lifted, but not yet! | |
| You may have heard that the U.S. government is lifting the travel and immigration ban on people with HIV. Before you pack your bags, read this important information from the HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario (HALCO): The U.S. government has enacted a regulatory change [PDF] which will repeal the ban on persons living with HIV from traveling and immigrating to the United States. The change will come into effect January 4, 2010. Until January 4, 2010, the travel ban is in full effect for HIV-positive visitors, temporary workers, and foreign students. The U.S. government has, however, announced that it is not enforcing the ban with respect to permanent residence applications ("green cards"). For information about applying for waivers and other information about entering the United States, see this website. For information about the ramifications of the repeal of the HIV immigration ban, see this U.S.-based resource. If you still have questions, please contact HALCO at 416-340-7790 or talklaw@halco.org | |
| New in the ACT Library | |
| We are constantly adding new information and tools to our publicly-accessible HIV/AIDS library, the largest of its kind in North America. This month, we have added new bibliographies to help you start your search for information. They list books, articles and web resources from the ACT Library and different websites. You can see the ACT Library bibliographies on our website, including these new ones:
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| Upcoming Community Health Forums | |
| November 11, 2009: Legal Consequences of HIV Transmission and Exposure Speakers: Glenn Betteridge, HIV/AIDS legal policy expert Angel Parks, Positive Youth Outreach Coordinator, AIDS Committee of Toronto December 16, 2009: HIV/AIDS Conference Updates Speakers: Albert Tsang, MD, CCFP, HIV Primary Care Physician Stephen Alexander, Canadian AIDS Society Both forums will start with a buffet at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Location: Ramada Plaza Hotel, Essex Ballroom 300 Jarvis Street (south of Carlton) Free admission. No registration required. Wheelchair accessible. Child care subsidy available. An open discussion for people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, please contact Robin Rhodes at rrhodes@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 219. | |
| Best Activist Organization | |
For more information about our advocacy work to influence the environment affecting people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS, please see our Annual Report. | |
| One Night Stand: Are you up for it? | |
Every month we will be holding an intimate evening discussion for gay men. A place where we can talk about issues that are important to us, such as:
All you need to do is show up! It's a great way to meet new people and have a place to talk. To let us know you want to come or to find out the next time and location, contact Carlos at 416-340-8484 ext. 247 or crivas@actoronto.org, or visit us online at www.actoronto.org/onenightstand | |
| SNAP! 2010: Save the date! | |
The event features the work of renowned and emerging photographers in both a live and silent auction. Save the date! Follow SNAP! on Twitter (@SNAPtoronto) or visit our website: www.snap-toronto.com | |
| GPS: Finding your own way | |
Would you like to talk about sex and your sexual health in a safe, confidential and positive environment? You may be eligible to participate if you:
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| Condom Stuffing Parties | |
| Ever wonder how ACT gets all those condoms stuffed with lube and safer sex information into the thousands of packages we distribute around the city? It's all done by volunteers at our regular condom stuffing parties! Our next few parties will be held on November 17th, December 1st and 15th, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at ACT on the fourth floor. We provide food, refreshments and the occasional random prize draw. Your help makes a difference! For ongoing information, including party dates, please contact Duncan MacLachlan at dmaclachlan@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 254, or visit our website: www.actoronto.org/condomstuffing | |
| CATIE Annual General Meeting | |
| The Annual General Meeting for CATIE (Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) will be held at the Hilton in Toronto on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. All CATIE members are welcome to attend the AGM, although there will not be a scholarship program to support travel and accommodation. This year, the theme is "Making the Connections: Strength through Partnerships." Learn more about CATIE's work, including new services added over the past year and programs and services currently in development. For more information, visit the CATIE website. | |
| HIV criminalization in Black communities | |
| Black, African, and Caribbean people living with HIV or AIDS are increasingly charged for not informing their partners of their HIV status before sex. In fact, a large number of those charged are from our community and we are unsure why. Join the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (BlackCAP) for a community discussion and to hear from a number of prominent speakers on the issue. Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. University of Toronto Health Sciences Building 155 College Street, Room 610 For more information, please contact Cindy at BlackCAP at 416-977-9955 or info@black-cap.com | |
| Photo Positive | |
| HIV-positive men talk about HIV and stigma within our gay communities. November 23 to December 6, 2009 Starbucks, 485 Church Street Opening reception: Tuesday, November 24, 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.photopositive.tumblr.com | |
