When It Just Won’t Go Away...
Recharge for and by Young People living with HIV 20
Positive Youth Outreach a program of
LOVING LOVING ME YOU
COMPLETING THE CIRCLE
Positive Yout h Outreach (PYO) has de three-part wo veloped a ne rkshop series w ca lled Loving M Completing e, Loving Yo The Circle. u: It will focus on our loved on young peop es gain a be le and helpin tter understa g nd ing of living Together as with HIV. peers, and wi th our loved stigma, feel ones, we will confident wi brainstorm th our status ways to beat will learn ab and let our loved ones in out ourselve s and share to our lives. this with the This is an op We portunity fo people we ca r young peop re most abou (family, frien le living with t. d, partner...) HIV to bring to each work a loved one shop to com To find out m plete the cir ore about th cle of our jo is series plea urney. Jessica at jw se contact PY hitbread@ac O : toronto.org or 416-340 -8484 ext. 26 5
HIV 101
June 1
HEALTHY LIVING June 8
Dinner and TTC tokens provided. Advance registration required.
DISCLOSURE & Negotiation
June 15
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Positive Yo uth Outrea ch a program of
Tell us what you think: Do you think that PYO needs to create spaces for our loved ones and friends? pyo@actoronto.org
When It Just Won’t Go Away... This issue focuses on Art and being Positive. Two things that NEED to be put together more often.
Inside are some stories, pieces & tips from PYOers just like yourself, plus some community leaders. As always there is also great artwork and some updates about some of the recent events that PYO has been involved in. Also we are starting a new column called Tech Tantrums for PYOers that want some computer help.
Artwork by A.B. We are always looking for contributions to the zine. If you are a young person who is living with HIV, feel free to send in whatever you’d like to share with other young people living with HIV across Canada. Poems, short stories, articles, experiences, drawings, pictures, rants, you name it! email: jwhitbread@actoronto.org
General Idea
We are known as the second wave of HIV in Canada. Knowing this makes it clear that there were individuals before us that have blazed the way of creating some of the programs and supports that we have today. One of the main drivers in making sure that HIV was in the media and a topic of conversation was art. One of the most influential artist groups was from Canada. They were three gay men - AA Bronson, Felix Partez and Jorge Zontal - who went by the name General Idea. Their work began in the 60’s, when they challenged many dominant cultural images. They played with sexuality and gender in their work that ranged anywhere from performance to “merch”. But in the 1980’s when two of the members become HIV positive, the main direction of their work shifted towards AIDS. In the early days AIDS was known as GRID - Gay Related Immune Deficiency- even though it affected others as well. Soon after it was known as the 4H’s - because it seemed to be prevalent
in the communities of Homosexuals, Haitians, Hemophiliacs, and Heroin users. Today we are well aware that HIV touches us all. It must have been a scary time to live with HIV, and for General Idea to be so open about fighting it in public using their art as a weapon is commendable. their artwork is really “in your face�. Looking at it there is no way that you can miss the message. They are probably most famous for their recreation of the LOVE piece which they changed to AIDS. They also created giant AZT pills the size of coffins. Morbid indeed - but a great way to spread a message about what was happening in the community to people that they loved and cared about, including both Felix and Jorge. Artists have a long history of working alongside social movements and to make change. This is just one of the many examples in our community of people who have made a difference. And how cool is it that these ones are Canadian?!
Matt Toronto, On I’ve had an Acer laptop for over two years now and noticed that it is running really slow. It takes forever to open programs and seems that there are things running in the background that don’t need to be open or running. I’ve spoken to a couple of friends and they have mentioned that it could be something wrong with my hard drive. What are your thoughts on this? Hi Matt, Thanks for the email! I have a lot of clients that have this issue. If your computer was running like new when you first purchased it and over time it started to get slow, then your computer might be suffering from a virus/spyware or it might have a lot of unnecessary programs and files clogging the computer. This is typically the case for most computers. If the computer has always been sluggish or slow since day one, then it could be caused from not having enough memory (Random Access Memory – RAM) or your processor speed might be slow. One thing to check is the Windows system requirements and make sure your computer meets those in order to ensure a smooth running computer. The best solution, if it’s not hardware related, is to back up all your files on an external drive or partition and re-install your operating system. This will get your system working just like new again and relieve the stress of working with an annoyingly slow system.
Tech Tantrums is written by Jon Chaisson the CEO of Gizmo Computer Services. www.helpmegizmo.com
The Ontario Government’s Leading Women Building Communities Recognition Award was given to our very own Jessica Whitbread for her work in the community. Way to go!
Did you know that there was an AIDS memorial in Queen’s Park?
My New Partner - Atripla. When I took it for the first time last night I was not nervous, I was prepared for it. I went to bed feeling content with my life and I woke up positive and feeling great. Going to bed that way took away my fears about starting medication. I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I started medication just now to better my health and not worry about having to take medications later and the fear of what that was going to be like. I was scared to start because I thought that it was going to be the end of my life. I thought that I was not going to be able to party anymore and go out. It was the to start that was the challenge. Some people are afraid - I was afraid - I don’t know why. I think that people still remember what medications were like in the eary days. It was a little bit intimidating starting because the pill was very big. When I take it again at 9pm tonight, I will be at home, all comfy... I’ll take it just like a vitamin. People that I’ve met that are on medications appear to be a lot more happy in their lives. I want to be like that. Starting medications now I feel better. It kind of feels like I’m on cloud nine right now, I’m really happy. I think that I’ve grown up and was ready for the change and ready for a better, healthier life. If I was to give advice, I would say that there is nothing to fear, because it is all in your head. It could only get better. S. R.
Calling all Young Positive Women!!! for the International Chapter for Young Women, Adolescents and Girls Living with HIV (CYWAG)
The International Community of Women Living with HIV (better known as ICW) is currently in the process of building a much needed chapter to support the unique needs of young women, adolescents and girls. Since this is the beginning, CYWAG is looking for some interested young women to write articles about issues that are important to them. If you would like to find out more, are interested in joining the movement or have a piece of work that you’d like to submit please email: jessicawhitbread@hotmail.com and check out the ICW website: www.icwglobal.org
Hey PYOers, Check out this great initiative by our very own Jonny Chaisson: POZ n’ Sexy!!!!
Poz n’ Sexy: is a new dance party that creates a safe space for HIV positive men and women to party the night away with their friends, allies and admirers. It will feature local DJ’s who will play music from the 80’s, 90’s dance, top 40 remixes and house, alongside hot Poz n’ Sexy go-go dancers and a twisted mix of local performers and celebrities. Proceeds will go directly to Positive Youth Outreach (PYO), a program of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) run by and for young people living with HIV. PYO provides peer support, group drop-ins, and social events for HIV-positive youth, connecting over 300 young people every year with services to help them live well. A special celebrity guest of honor John Mackanrothwill be in attendance for mingling and photo opportunities. Poz n’ Sexy will happen on Sunday June 5, 2011 at Goodhandy’s Nightclub, located at 120 Church Street (Church & Richmond) Stay in the loop on Facebook (Poz n’ Sexy) or Twitter (#poznsexyparty) www.poznsexyparty.com
“Who is Positive Youth Outreach (PYO)?” you may ask. We are a peer-driven program of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), dedicated to providing peer-based support services and programs to people under the age of 30 who are living with HIV. One of the services PYO offers is a weekly social support drop-in for any HIV-positive youth under 30. We share experiences, information and support each other. There is always a meal and we have weekly activities such as workshops, art or movies. The drop-in happens every Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm @ PYO.
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TTC tokens are available for attendees.
Positive Youth Outreach
If groups aren’t your thing – PYO also offers one-on-one peer support with an HIV-positive peer.
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To find out more, call 416-3408484 ext. 281 or 265, or visit PYO’s website at www.positiveyouth.com. Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) 399 Church Street, 4th Floor (southeast corner of Church and Carlton Streets) Toronto, ON M5B 2J6 Phone: 416-340-8484 ext. 281 Fax: 416-340-8224 E-mail: pyo@actoronto.org Website: positiveyouth.com