ACT e-Bulletin Vol. 2 No. 4

The ACT e-Bulletin
Volume 2, Number 4 | September/October 2007

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Five Great Reasons to Join the AIDS Walk for Life on September 16th
1) Walk the new, shorter route.
2) Meet new people.
3) Help raise awareness and money to combat HIV/AIDS in our communities.
4) Dance at the Retro Street Party after the Walk
5) HAVE FUN!

For more information, visit www.aidswalkforlifetoronto.ca.

The 2007 Ontario Election - Make Your Voice Heard
Everyone in Ontario who cares about HIV/AIDS needs to participate in this year's election and vote on Election Day, Wednesday, October 10, 2007, or through an advance poll.

HIV/AIDS affects disenfranchised individuals and communities disproportionately. Poverty, homelessness, stigma and marginalization (including homophobia, sexism, and racism), lack of access to appropriate health and social services - all of these issues contribute to the spread of HIV infection and impact negatively on the lives of people with HIV/AIDS.

By taking time to find out where the various political parties stand on these issues and voting your conscience, you can ensure that the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and HIV-vulnerable communities are met.

To find out more about the election, and how you can make your voice heard, visit ACT's Elections 2007 page (www.actoronto.org/election2007), which will be regularly updated over the next five weeks leading up to the vote.

Have You Checked Out InterACTion Lately?
InterACTion is ACT's online community chat room hosted by GayGuideToronto.com. For the past three years, this innovative community media partnership has been a place where the Gay Men's Education team addresses "hot button" issues in real time.

Recent topics have included the criminalization of non-HIV disclosure, the return of "backroom" sex, and condom use.

Completely anonymous, InterACTion a space for people ask questions, raise concerns, and receive answers. The site has received more than 25,000 visitors already this year, and we expect many more in the coming months.

September's topic is "How can the AIDS Committee of Toronto serve you better?" Have your say at www.gayguidetoronto.com/interaction.

Fall Support Groups
Newly Diagnosed (10-week group)
Have you recently found out you're HIV-positive and want to share your feelings with other recently diagnosed people? The Newly Diagnosed group is an opportunity to build a network of caring, supportive peers. Every Tuesday at the ACT offices from 7 - 9 p.m. beginning October 2.

Living with HIV/AIDS (10-week group)
Are you HIV-positive (not newly diagnosed) and interested in connecting with people who share your experiences and concerns? The Living with HIV/AIDS group is an opportunity to exchange information, explore feelings, find support, and renew hope. Runs every Thursday from 7 - 9 p.m. beginning October 4.

To join the a group, call 416-340-8484 ext. 283, or call 416-340-2437 and ask to speak to the counsellor on call.

Volunteer Appreciation Party on September 25
Calling all ACT volunteers! In recognition of your hard work, support, and commitment to the agency, ACT cordially invites you and a guest to our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party. Food, refreshments, entertainment, and fabulous door prizes will be provided.

The party happens on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 5 - 10 p.m. at Zippers (72 Carlton Street). Please RSVP by calling 416-340-8484 ext. 228 or by sending an email to volrsvp@actoronto.org.

Being Well: The PWA/ACT Newsletter for PHAs Out Now
The first edition of Being Well: The PWA/ACT Wellness Bulletin for People with HIV/AIDS is now available. A collection of articles and news about wellness-related topics of interest to people with HIV/AIDS (PHAs), Being Well is available online at www.actoronto.org/beingwell and at the front desks of both ACT and the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA).

The first edition of this quarterly newsletter features information about HIV and complementary therapies such as reiki, yoga, nutrition, and naturopathic medicine. Check it out today!

Ask Stephanie!
Have questions about nutrition and HIV? Stephanie De Maio, Clinical Dietitian at St. Michael's Hospital, Positive Care Clinic, will be answering some of your most popular questions in upcoming issues of Being Well. Email your questions to nutrition@actoronto.org or write them down and slip them into the question box across from the front desk in ACT's Access Centre.

Comments or suggestions for future issues of Being Well? Contact Kristy Buck at 416-340-8484 ext. 234 or kbuck@actoronto.org.

Fall/Winter Therapy Groups
Women and HIV (20-week group)
A therapy group for HIV-positive women struggling with feelings of isolation, depression, and powerlessness. Begins mid-November.

Long-term Survivors (20-week group)
A group for men who have been living with HIV/AIDS for five years or longer and are dealing with depression and isolation. Begins September/October.

Offered in partnership with the Coalition on HIV and Mental Health, the Fall Therapy Groups are facilitated by professional clinicians. To join a therapy group, call 416-340-8484 ext. 410, or call 416-340-2437 and ask to speak to the counsellor-on-call.

Finding HIV Information on the Internet: A Class for PHAs
In September, the HIV/AIDS Wellness Advisory Network and the ACT Library will be hosting a workshop for PHAs on how to use the Internet to find information about HIV and related health topics.

This class is meant for PHAs with a basic understanding of the Internet who are interested in using online resources to support their health and well-being strategies. The class will teach PHAs how to recognize reliable online information, give them some good websites to start using, and provide them with basic online searching skills which they can use to find other useful websites.

The class will be held on Wednesday, September 26th from 6 - 7:30 in the newly renovated computer room on the third floor at ACT.

To register, or for more information, please contact Kristy Buck at 416-340-8484, ext. 234 or kbuck@actoronto.org. Registration is limited but future classes may be added if there is a strong interest.

ACT Is Xtra! Best
We're pleased to announce that ACT has once again been voted Best Community Organization by the readers of Xtra! magazine. Thanks to everyone who thought of us when they filled out the survey, and be assured that we're not resting on our laurels.

Have you benefitted from ACT services in the past? How can we improve our service to you in the future? We want to know.

This month, visit our InterACTion community message at www.gayguidetoronto.com/interaction and have your say. Your feedback makes us better.

Upcoming Java Knights & Wild Chat Philosophy Cafés
Sex & the Aritst: Queers in the Art World
A panel discussion about the impact of queers in the contemporary art world and in history. September 25, 2007.

Scag Drag
Tips from the Star Chamber of notrious Toronto drag artists and gender illusionists. Wild Chats Philosophy Café topic to be announced. The perfect pre-Hallowe'en event. October 30, 2007.

All events happen at the Gladstone Hotel Art Bar, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario. Java Knights and Wild Chats Philosophy Cafés are free, but you do need to RSVP at javaknights@hotmail.com.

Resiliency Workshops for Frontline HIV/AIDS Workers
ACT, Voices of Positive Women, and the AIDS Bereavement Project of Ontario would like to invite frontline HIV/AIDS workers to participate in an ongoing series of workshops that

· Examines the personal impact of doing frontline work;
· Reflects on coping strategies and finding a meaningful balance for ourselves;
· Solidifies professional roles and relationships that are sustainable over time.

The next workshop will be held on Friday, September 7, 2007 from 1-5 p.m. at the Casey House training room, 119 Isabella Street.

To register, please email ademetra@abpo.org.

Thank You from the Lambda Team
The Lambda Survey was successfully completed in August 2007. The team reached over 2000 men in Toronto, something that would not have been possible without the help and support of the community.

We are very excited to analyze the surveys (and finger-prick blood samples) to learn more about men's attitudes towards sex, substance use, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The final study report will be used to develop community programs and inform policy related to men who have sex with men (MSM).

We will be communicating with you again in Spring 2008 to share what we have learned. In the meantime, if you have any questions, or would like to receive a copy of the research report, please email lambda@actoronto.org.

Also, keep checking www.lambdasurvey.ca — we will showcase our results there in the new year. Thanks!

Thank You from the Lambda Team.

ACT at Summer Fetish Fairs
This summer, ACT was at the premier events for Toronto's BDSM/fetish community, including Fetish Fair North, the Church Street Fetish Fair, and their related community dances. At the outdoor events, volunteers and staff handed out over 1500 condom/lubrication packs, and over 100 glove kits, dental dams, and female condoms from our information tables.

To make HIV/AIDS education fun and interactive, ACT invited Enza Supermodel and Paul Barber to host "Fess Your Fantasy," a confessional booth for fair-goers. Photos will be available on the ACT website soon - visit www.actoronto.org for details.

ACT e-Bulletin Vol. 2 No. 4

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