winter 2015
Recharge a zine for young people living with a positive attitude
WishList
Credits and Contributors We Made This Happen: Produced & Published: Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) & PYO Press Art Direction & Design: Juan Saavedra Contributors: Z.B.M Anonymous Special Thanks To: Michael Schneider Chris B. Ryan Lisk Christopher Thomas Contact & Address:
416-340-8484 ext. 265 www.positiveyouth.com Positive Youth Outreach 399 Church Street, 4th Floor Toronto, ON M5B 2J6 Phone: 416-340-8484 ext. 265 Fax: 416-340-8224
PYO offers a variety of services to empower, support, and affirm the lives of young people 16-29 living with HIV/ AIDS! You’re not alone, get in touch!
E-mail: pyo@actoronto.org
Content Nutritional Spotlight: Tongue Tied Nutrition Page 5. Being a Woman: 2 Sides of a Card A Poem by Z.B.M Page 7. Talk Back: Questions & Answers Page 8. This Year’s Wish List Page 10. PYO in Action, Outreach and Conferences Page 12. What`s Wrong Image Search Page 14.
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Want to meet and learn with other guys? For young gay, bi and queer guys who want to be community leaders, including guys from diverse ethnic communities, trans guys and guys living with HIV.
For more information please contact Rui: 416-340-8484 ext. 264 or send an email to rpires@actoronto.org Check us out online: www.actoronto.org/to
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PYO offers a variety of services to empower, support and affirm the lives of young people 16-29 living with HIV/AIDS!
You’re not alone, get in touch!!!
RECHARGE is always looking for contributors.
Send us your questions, comments, art & poetry to: pyozine@actoronto.org and find yourself in the next issues!!!
Nutritional Spotlight Try to say “Winterlicious Winter Wish List.” Now try that again, only 3x faster. Sound tough or difficult? Well that’s definitely our point. During the winter months finding proper nutrition can become more difficult. What makes diet such an intimidating process is that there is no single optimal eating regimen for every person living with HIV/AIDS. During the winter months eating fresh fruits and vegetables becomes difficult simply because of the season. Eating frozen fruits and vegetables foods is a great affordable alternative. If you find yourself having trouble with nutritional requirements, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or connect to a nutritionist or dietitian. If you have any nutritional tips you would like to share, feel free to send them to us:
pyo@actoronto.org
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Being a woman: 2 Sides of a Card
A poem BY z.b.m
As the world moves we see both day and night. My feelings are like so. Polarized by dark and bright experiences. Constantly revolving, constantly in conflict. The darkest moments are right before dawn. This is what helps me carry on, regardless if I’m ready. I care for people. I do what I do. Or should I deport those feelings? My emotions are global. Constantly revolving, constantly in conflict. Opposing personalities live inside. Mother vs. Daughter vs. Sister vs. Lover Friend vs. Colleague vs. Believer vs. Expert Each with their own desire, demanding minutes Sometimes I wish it didn’t have to be this way. Emotions are too luxurious, especially during the dark winters. My feelings never rest and I’m on call 24/7. Constantly revolving, constantly in conflict. I never finished high school, but I was rewarded with my first child. It was an even greater reward when she was born healthy. Motherhood will take you places a high school diploma could never go. The world is my school and I too have become an instructor in my home. For me it’s all baby steps. Chaos will keep you in place. Sorta like gravity, invisible and always there. Constantly revolving, constantly in conflict. People leave. There is stigma. It’s dark now. Open eyed I try. Being a woman will take you places a high school diploma could never go. I’m a woman, and I am HIV positive. This makes me stronger.
We all deserve great sex, whether young or old, gay or straight, male or female, cis or trans, or any of the 50 shades of grey that come in-between all these categories! Many young people feel that “adults” don’t talk about sex to them. So PYO asked a group of young gay men living with HIV to submit any questions they had regarding their sexual health and education. Interesting enough, most of the questions were about the male genitalia. Here are some of the questions and our answers! 8 8
1. Q:Does semen really have different flavours? 1. A:Yes- Semen/ “cum” is a mix of sperm and other bodily proteins, and as far as the taste goes, it depends on the guy’s overall health and diet. (Like what he has had to eat, and if he’s a smoker.)
2. Do guys really get “blue balls”?
3. What is the #1 STI for youth?
2. A: No - For a lot of guys, experiencing “blue balls” is just a pretense of sexual frustration. The dull ache in your testicles is due to the build up of blood in your penis and scrotum when aroused, putting pressure on the testicles.
3. A: Estimates show that HPV (Human Papillomavirus) rates account for almost 50% of new STI infections. While there is no treatment for the virus itself, there are treatments for the serious diseases that HPV can cause, including genital warts, cervical, and other cancers.
4. What is the average penis size?
5. How much cum is normal when you ejaculate?
4. A: Studies have shown it to be 3-4 inches soft, and 5-6 inches erect. No matter what your size, take pride in the tool you have!
5. A: Researchers say that about one-fifth of an ounce is the average. If you feel like you’re ejaculating very little, try spacing out your orgasms to help build up the supply. Also consider speaking to your doctor about this if you are concerned.
A harm reduction group for gay/bi/queer men, ages 18+ Are you ready to make a change in how you drink? or use drugs? SPUNK! is a support group that helps gay, bi & queer guys ages 18+ make positive changes around substance use and sex, from a queer guy’s perspective. Trans guys welcome. Group begins April 2015! Thursday nights, April to June Please register by April 24. For more information please contact 416-340-8484 ext. 235 or spunk@actoronto.org
actoronto.org/SPUNK
AID S Committee of Toronto (ACT) 399 Church Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5B 2J6 T 416-340-2437 F 416-340-8224 W actoronto.org
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14 Answers: 1. Panel missing on awning. 2. Fish hanging from plant. 3. Hat on top of umbrella. 4. Umbrella has no pole. 5. Upside down sale sign. 6. Saleswoman has three arms. 7. Artist has only half a jacket. 8. Hose in with walking sticks. 9. Dog has hooves. 10. Boy has one pant leg. 11. Bike missing front wheel. 12. Bottom of woman’s bag missing. 13. Woman has one boot and one shoe on. 14. pockets on lady’s vest are upside down. 15. Man is wearing swim goggles.
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RECHARGEis a Zine produced by Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) A program of the AIDS Committee of Toronto 399 Church St. 4th Floor, Toronto, On, M5B 2J6 positiveyouth.com E-mail: pyo@actoronto.org
RECHARGE is a also available online: actoronto.org/youth