review renew
recharge
winter 2013
r o t i d e e h from t A new year means a new recharge! 2013! This year promises to be just as eventful as 2012, with milestones such as ACT’s 30th year, as Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) turns 23. I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting this new edition, and it’s with great pleasure that we offer a double issue – highlighting the summer and the fall, as well as covering the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013! Review. Renew. Recharge! The past six months have been an exciting and eventful time in the PYO program here at ACT. Aside from the visual changes in the appearance of Recharge, there have been staff changes as well. Alessandro Bisignano has joined us as the new PYO Support Worker at ACT, and will also be the new managing editor of this publication. In addition to catching up on what’s been happening over the past six months, this issue is about recharging our batteries and looking forward to what we can accomplish together. Creating awareness, providing information, and reigniting the fight for HIV/AIDS advocacy. Want to be a part of it? Visit us online at www.positiveyouth.com and have your say. Michael Schneider PYO Program Coordinator pyozine@actoronto.org
summe
r highl
ights
New PYO condom packs!
Beach Day To take a break from the routine, PYO organized an outing to Cherry Beach. It was Andre Ceranto’s last day as coordinator of the PYO program, and we enjoyed it with swimming, tanning, building sandcastles, having a picnic, and playing games.
The past summer started off with PYO creating our own condom packs, including one condom and one pack of lube, that we are distributing throughout the community. A special thanks goes out to James L. for designing this new resource! Keep your eyes open for the pack, mostly being distributed at Buddies and Fly nightclub.
Summer Pride The gang from PYO kicked off Pride Week in 2012 with a visit to the rainbow flag raising outside City Hall. Later that week, PYOers participated in the Pride and Remembrance Run, and staffed an info booth at the Froot Loopz event for queer and trans youth. On Sunday, we were out in force at the parade, handing out condoms and chanting with the ACT contingent: “Act bold, act strong, act resilient, act now!”
ds i a l a n o i t interna e c n e r e f n co This year, the 19th International AIDS Conference was held in the United States capital, Washington, D.C. The theme was “Turning the Tide Together.” The annual conference brings together people from around the world who are working in the field of HIV prevention, treatment, support, research, and policy-making. People living with HIV have historically staked out our space at these conferences.
Criminalization was a major concern, and the stigma it generates was viewed as a driver of the pandemic.
There were a few major topics discussed at the conference: ending stigma and discrimination, the effect of male circumcision on reducing the risk of HIV infection, and the importance of testing for both HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Armed with this information, we can add to the knowledge we are using to implement a strengthsbased approach to HIV prevention and support for young people living with and affected by HIV.
Many of the participants were talking about achieving an “AIDSfree generation” through a strategy that would focus on HIV testing and prevention methods, both old and new. Some of these emerging methods included pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – HIV-negative people taking antiretroviral medication such as Truvada to reduce the risk of becoming HIVpositive.
Overall, the conference was optimistic, suggesting that we are very close to turning the tide. Speakers acknowledged the progress made within the research community to produce new treatments for people living with HIV.
scotiabank aids walk f o
r life
ACT programs like PYO. The theme of this walk was “AIDS isn’t over.” PYO members were out in full force at the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life in September 2012. Altogether, 1,000 walkers raised more than $375,000 for
With one out of every four new HIV diagnoses in Canada being among people under the age of 30, young people are one of the populations most affected.
october’s supreme court r uling
This past October, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that a person living with HIV does not need to disclose their status to sexual partners if they have a low or undetectable viral load and use condoms during vaginal sex.
This ruling was a change from the original 1998 decision that made it a crime if people living with HIV did not reveal their status when there was a “significant risk” of transmission to a sexual partner. However we feel about this ruling, the courts say there is a legal duty to disclose if one of these conditions is not met and there is a potential exposure to HIV. So protect yourself.
If you have questions about disclosure and your rights under the law, PYO can hook you up with the answers: pyo@ actoronto.org There are some questions left unanswered by the ruling, such as anal sex and oral sex. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network says this ruling means there is no legal duty to disclose if you use a condom and have a low viral load. However, there is no guarantee that this will protect you from criminal charges.
SPUNK! [spuhngk] –noun 1. courage, spirit, boldness, resilience: show some spunk. 2. a slang word for semen.
Being a gay or bi dude requires courage and boldness of spirit - period. Being a gay or bi dude who manages his drugs and booze and who navigates the realities of HIV, STIs and stigma requires spunk!
COMING SOON
How can we be healthy if we use drugs and alcohol, but are afraid or ashamed to reach out and talk about these things with other guys? Learn strategies and tools to help make the choices you want to make. SPUNK! is a new support group for dudes who are HIV-positive, HIV-negative or don’t know their HIV status, who use drugs, like to party and fuck, but wonder if things could be better. To find out more about this group, contact us at spunk@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 235 Or check us out at www.actoronto.org/spunk
TRANS GUYS WELCOME! AIDS Committee of Toronto 399 Church Street, 4th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2J6 T 416-340-2437 F 416-340-8224 W actoronto.org
@ACToronto
facebook.com/ACToronto
there’s a shado w hanging over me
One of the benefits of being young is that we know everything. Well, we want to give the impression that we know everything. Even though we might feel confused sometimes – we think that admitting “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure” shows other people that we are still figuring things out. We don’t know who we are yet and putting on the front that we know everything – dealing only with absolutes – helps us find and build our identity. But HIV is not absolute. It is nuanced.
The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision around HIV criminalization is especially nuanced. Basically it says that for vaginal sex, a person does not have to disclose his or her HIV status if a condom is used and if the person’s viral load is low. The decision does not say anything about: anal sex, oral sex, how to prove condom use, how to prove low viral load, or the “realistic possibility” of transmission. The decision raises a lot of questions and opens doors for later legal interpretations. As a young person, I demand an absolute answer! If I have an undetectable viral load, can I receive oral sex without disclosing? What are the transmission odds if I use a condom but I do not have a low viral load? If I told someone last year that I had HIV and met then again today – do I have to tell them again, or can I assume that they remember? I don’t have to tell everyone, all the time, every time, for everything – or do I? When young people are diagnosed with HIV, I’ve learned that our reac-
tions are mixed. Remember: young people need absolutes to build our identities. So I’ve seen some young people ignore or bury their diagnosis; others learn everything they can about medication. Some choose to volunteer doing outreach or educating others, and some become depressed or turn to drugs. Very rarely can a young person deal with the diagnosis and living with HIV without either withdrawing (ignoring it or going into depression) or creating absolutes that don’t actually exist. It’s tough to have our alreadyunstable identities shattered by HIV. Here at PYO, many of us deal in absolutes. A couple of us boast that we are proud of who we are – HIV-positive youth – and we tell everyone. Some of us have told nobody, and only fellow PYOers know our status. Absolutes like “medication = bad” or “you must always disclose” are also common. Touting these absolutes helps us build our identity. We can claim to know everything. But of course there are nuances to all of them, and actually none of them are absolute. There are so many grey areas with HIV and the law. Uncertainty is a huge challenge. And since we young people need absolutes to help us define who we are, these new questions about criminalization and transmission are not helping!
beyond m y dreams
“Hands of Community” by K.D. The image symbolizes individuals in the community both living with and affected by HIV, having the power to unlock their own destinies and to fight the chains of criminalization and repression.
Beyond, beyond my dreams You are waiting there for me I would love to hear you say Our love will forever be But it’s only beyond my dreams It’s only beyond my dreams Beyond, beyond my dreams You reach out to hold my hand We walk together and smile As we both make our plans But it’s only in my dreams It’s only in my dreams Beyond, beyond my dreams I call your name; you are there With every beat of my heart I know you will always care But it’s only in my dreams Yes, it’s only in my dreams. C. Bauld
s anonymou y e v r u s r e read We asked Recharge readers to answer our TOP 10 questions about their personal lives, anonymously. Here’s what you said! 1. How many years have you been positive? 1-4 years: 67% 5-10 years: 11% 10-15 years: 22%
6. How often do you disclose before dating? Always: 78% Sometimes: 11% Never: 11%
2. Who knows about your status? Most people: 33% Some family: 11% Some friends: 23% Nobody: 33%
7. How often do you disclose before oral sex? Always: 67% Rarely: 11% Never: 11%
3. Do you know exactly how you got infected? Yes: 78% No: 22%
8. How often do you disclose before sex? Always: 56% Often: 22% Sometimes: 22%
4. Are you taking any medication? Yes: 78% No: 22% 5. If so, what medications are you taking? Intelence, Truvada Atripla Truvada, Kivexa, Rescriptor Retonavir, Peronivir Truvada, Meravoraz Truvada, Excentris Kivexa, Kaletra
9. Have you been in a sero-discordant relationship (where one partner doesn’t have HIV)? Yes: 67% No: 33% 10. Since being diagnosed with HIV, have you changed your lifestyle behaviours? Yes: 78% No: 22%
.. . l l e w e r a f so long... Carmen’s farewell A lot has happened since I started volunteering at ACT. I remember being nervous, yet excited, to start working here. I can honestly say I never imagined I would learn and experience as much as I did. I believe social work has a lot to do with bettering yourself through the work you do. My life has changed completely because of the people I had the pleasure of working with. Through the clients I learned how to put a face to the social issues that come with HIV.
Andre’s goodbye After just one year working as the Coordinator of PYO, it is with mixed feelings that I leave this program that’s so dear to my heart. First of all, I want to thank everyone who gave me the opportunity to work with them. PYO members were very welcoming, and trusted me to share their amazing touch stories, and I’ll always appreciate that. It was rewarding to see the journey of some of the members of the group, who had started attending the group shortly after being diagnosed and were able to grow and deal with all the hurdles of their diagnosis and move on with their lives.
They also showed me that – even though I wasn’t myself positive – I could work within the community and make a difference in people’s lives. I don’t think you’ll all realize the impact you had on my life and how grateful I am for having met you. Please know that I will miss you all dearly. Without the youth from PYO, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’ll remember what you taught me and do right by you and move on to become a better social worker. I will miss my PYO family, and promise to stay in touch and visit. I love you guys!
Working with PYO has taught me so much. I was very touched by the courage and strength that some of the youth living with HIV have; it made me reflect on my own struggles and challenges as someone living with HIV. I felt they were my family and they took me as part of the group from the beginning, and I am ever grateful for that. You all have my respect and admiration for how far along you have come, and much further you will go. Believe in yourself and remember to follow your dreams. I leave confident you are in good hands, and will miss you all. - Andre
Jessica’s goodbye I can’t tell you how much I miss PYO! There is a definite soft spot in my heart for you all! As you know, I am PYO alumni, and therefore have been and remain an advocate for the issues facing young people living with HIV; I just do it someplace else now. You all taught me so much! I always appreciated hanging out at Drop-In because it felt like home. There are very few spaces that are as unique as PYO. The kind of support that you get from sharing stories and experiences is so great and definitely hard to come by.
So in saying this, I want you to be kind to each other and build it from the inside. If you want to find me, I’m at the Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC). You’re all invited as special guests to the No Pants No Problem parties. Please contact me and stay in touch! My e-mail is jessica@ctac.ca Love, Jessica!
world ai ds day
Every year, people around the world raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and remember those we’ve lost to the disease on December 1. On World AIDS Day, PYO organized a group trip to the AIDS vigil at the Toronto AIDS Memorial in Cawthra Park. We also went out into the city to do outreach, distributing condoms and information to help everyone – positive, negative, and status unknown – understand HIV better.
the final fashion c a
res
September was a memorable month, with the final installment of Fashion Cares 25 years after its founding. The black-and-white charity event brought together fashion, music, community, supporters, and of course the glitterati themselves.
Headlining the event was none other than Sir Elton John himself. Other notable names that made an appearance included the Scissor Sisters, Sean Desman, Linda Evangelista, Kreesha Turner, and Jeanne Beker. Proceeds from the fundraising event went to the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Over the past 25 years, the event has generated an estimated sum of $12 million for prevention programs and support services for people living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV/AIDS. In addition to performances by the musical celebrities in attendance, the night featured a fashion show with original oneof-a-kind pieces from over the past 25 years, as well as an exhibit with personal costume pieces of Elton John’s. Although the event is the last of its kind, the message of awareness and affirmation of the lives of people living with HIV will continue on.
t a h t d n this a New monthly “PYO Presents” workshops A free event open to all young people between the ages of 16 and 29 who are living with, affected by, or at potential risk for HIV. Topics vary from month to month, addressing issues relevant to young people, from a strengths-based approach. Thursdays at PYO Looking to connect with other positive young people? Well, Thursdays at PYO from 2 to 5 p.m. you can meet and connect with new friends and catch up with old ones! Discussion group follows, starting at 6 p.m. Upcoming dates February 2013
March 2013
Every Thursday 2 to 5 p.m.: Drop-in 6 to 8 p.m.: Discussion group
Every Thursday 2 to 5 p.m.: Drop-in 6 to 8 p.m.: Discussion group
February 26, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Community Health STI Workshop
March 12, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Resilience workshop
February 14 Valentine’s Day!
March 17 St. Patrick’s Day!
crossw
ord
Look for the answers to the crossword puzzle in our next issue!
ert p x e t c a ask an Got a question about sex? Or just about health in general? Want to know more about ACT and its services? Send us a question and read about it in the next issue of Recharge.
pyozine@actoronto.org