Slam 2016 final report

DATE:

May 24th, 2016

TO:

Richard Utama & ACAS Staff

FROM:

Michael Adia & Brian-Bao Ly

SUBJECT:

SLAM! Report 2016

Here is the written report of SLAM! 2016 held on 19th of March 2016 at the Friends House. The information is presented in the format as follows: I. Overall Evaluation 1.1. Demographics 1.2. Program Overview II. Survey and Opportunities III. Budget IV. Workplan V. Other resources for SLAMMERS VI. Appendix 6.1 Poster and Program Design

More Sex! Is the theme of this year’s SLAM! (Sex. Love, Asian Men!). The event was attended by more than 30 Asian gay/bi and other MSM in Toronto, the interactive forum focused on key issues among Gay Asian men such as barriers to mental health, sex shaming, achieving sexual pleasure responsibly, consent or sexual consent, Gay Asian Poz and the new HIV prevention, PrEP. Thank you to all staff, members and volunteers who made this event possible. Special thanks to Richard and Ly for facilitating the afternoon session, to Trisha for arranging the food and to James for designing the poster and program. Thank you to our amazing volunteers; Kien, Tony and Leo for their hard work during the event and to Atom for note taking.

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I. OVERALL EVALUATION DEMOGRAPHICS Out of the 50 people who registered, 30 participated in the event. SLAM has been one of the most age and ethnically diverse community dialogues of ACAS. More than 50% of the participants are between the ages of 26 and 35, and 24% of attendees are 36 years old and above (Data 1). Many participants identified as Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese. Roughly 30% of the participants attended SLAM for the first time this year. Most participants find out about the event through ACAS event promotion (SLAM and ACAS Facebook page).

(Data 1: Age Chart)

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Majority of the participants identified as gay, 14% identified as queer and, 6% as bisexual (Data 2).

(Data 2: Identity Chart)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Health and Mental Health Panel The forum opened with an interactive pictionary and charades wherein participants got to act out or draw favorite words or activities that they have written during the registration. Some of the combination words participants acted out or draw are, “cuddling, in the park,” “cruising, on the plane,” and “jerking off and porn.”

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The first panel facilitated by ACAS’ Community Engagement Coordinator Christian Hui, talked about the barriers to mental health that is relevant to gay Asian men presented by Tze Chung Tang of the Strength In Unity (SIU) project. SIU is a community-based research that aims to reduce stigma on mental health and illness among Asian Men. Ronnie, one of the panelists, shared the experiences and challenges he faced as an Asian gay man living with mental illness.

During the morning session, ACAS also launched the Gay Asian Poz video about the lived experiences of four Gay Asian men living with HIV. From their coming out stories, disclosing HIV status to friends and family, stigma and discrimination, finding a community and to life after HIV diagnosis. Participants were engaged in learning about the unique experiences of Gay Asian and Poz community and the message of resiliency and surviving despite of the multiple forms of oppression faced by such community. Video is available through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g9Qi4nq49c

Sex, Gay Asian Men and Pleasure.

Sex shaming, the complexities of bare backing or condomless anal sex between intimate/romantic relationships and casual hook ups, online dating, group sex, PnP (party and play), consent, and some cultural meanings of sex are some of the over arching themes discussed during the afternoon dialogue facilitated by ACAS men’s team Richard Utama and

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Brian Bao Ly, and representatives from community partners, AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) and Hassle Free Clinic.

SLAM! has provided a safe space for participants to share their experiences and thoughts about sex positivity and the importance of communication and consent when it comes to sex. The group in general acknowledged the value of managing different level of risks in engaging in casual and group sex, use of recreational drugs during sex, and bare backing. Safer and healthier sex choices are still important to participants.

Towards the end of the session, SLAM opened the floor for a community Q&A with Constantine Cabarrios (ACT Counselor), Elmer B. (Hassle Free Clinic), Kien Nguyen and Leo Yewson (SLAM committee members). During this panel, discussions about self-esteem, mental health resources, coming out process, PrEP, and new HIV testing technologies were discussed. Hassle free has conducted an onsite testing for 9 participants at the end of the event.

What worked well?    

Participants enjoyed the icebreaker activities Participants are cooperative and open to discussions Gay Asian POZ and personal narratives were effective and well received Practical knowledge sharing were a highlight (i.e. HIV testing technology, PrEP)

What were the challenges?    

SIU panel did not align to this year’s theme about More Sex A couple of members arrived late and/or left early (there was no “late policy” enforced) No trans identified man was represented in the forum Making sure the event felt inclusive of all lived experiences/educating where necessary

What are some recommendations?      

Panel and panel discussions should work around theme and objectives Assign a person responsible (within the men’s team) to handle food and logistics.

Guidelines on tardiness should be clear during registration Provide more experiential learning and practical know how (i.e. demonstrations, more break out sessions, etc.)

Surveys should also be structured to show actual learning outcomes specific to forum’s objectives More promotion efforts to the community to bring in more participants 5

II. SURVEYS and OPPORTUNITIES

Morning Session Evaluation

1 This is all day?

Damn…

How are you feeling right now?

3 4 2 Curious for what’s Feeling good Waking up slowly next about this!

2 10 10

5 Fired Up! Keep going!

1 I’m bitter about it…

Were our starters enough for you?

2 3 4 Need to hit my Is there more!?

Hit the spot sweet tooth!

3 7 10

5 I’m stuffed 2

Did the Chef’s Special help you understand what the community is going through (Mental Health Awareness)?

1 2 3 4 5 I still don’t really I’m starting to get I’ve experienced it I’m aware and I I see it and it’s see the problem it before care clear 2

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10

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Total: 22 evaluations

The opening activity was hit to many participants. Some participants enjoyed and appreciate personal narratives during the mental health discussion with SIU and Gay Asian POZ video and hoped to have more collaborative discussion in the next session.

Afternoon evaluation.

What do you think about More Sex: SLAM!?

1 Waste of time!

1 Fuck No!

2 It’s okay…

3 I’m glad I came

4 So goooood!

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5

Was there enough SEX for you!?

2 3 4 Craving more I enjoyed it I got my fill 4 9 9

5 I love getting SLAM’d!

3

5 Fuck Yes! 1

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1 No. Sex is a no-no

Do you understand what it means to be Sex Positive?

3 4 2 Kind of, still on Of course! Sex is Not for me the fence fun ;) 3 15

5 Always have been, always will be!

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Total: 23 evaluations

Opportunities for Next Year’s SLAM! What topics would you like covered next year?

-

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Umm, Immigrants have some issues too. I feel like Chinese Immigrants have their issues but aren’t the same as others (I actually think last year is better) More stories from generation gaps Social apps Love Relationship Who am I, identity security Cultural perception of sex in hometown & Canada Love Romance Race and sexuality and how it affects mental health; coping strategies How to build community More discussion on other prejudices in the questioning community More “practical” sex + relationships (less info + theorizing) More “structured” mixing and sharing Prep Trend Subcategories of Sex Skill (sex) How to age better (physically and mentally)

Who do you want to see more of? ;) -

Kink topic More stories from participants Small groups so it’s easier and less daunting for people to share New faces Small group discussion More time to share Games Interactive opportunities Demonstrations More games More interaction and getting to know each other rather than listening to facilitators and experts More experiential learning on stigma rather than intellectual discussion about it More group activities and interaction Smaller group sharing and group interaction Fun activities Professional Nice man Love More stories from participants More discussion to happen in small groups Small group discussion and sharing

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III. BUDGET

SLAM 2016 19th March 2016 BUDGET Item 1

Venue (Friend's House)

Description Meeting Room 1

$120.00

Meeting Room 2

$110.00

Sun Room

2

3

4

Food and Refreshment

Travel (Tokens, Cab)

Honorarium

Total

$40.00

Snack, Breakfast (50 x $2)

$100.00

Lunch (50 x $6)

$300.00

Advisory Meetings (5 x $30)

$150.00

Advisory Meetings (50 tokens x $2.80)

$140.00

Focus Group (50 tokens x $2.80)

$140.00

Taxi (to and from venue $30 x 2)

$60.00

Graphic Designer (15 hours x $20)

$300.00

Focus Group (5 x $25)

$125.00

Speakers (2 x $20)

$270.00

$550.00

$340.00

$465.00

$40.00

$1,625.00

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IV. WORKPLAN

Action Contact Venue (Food/Accomodation)

Timeline Beginning of Jan

Who Brian/Admin

Advisory Committee Recruitment

End of December

Richard Brian

Working Advisory Committee

December - March

Richard Brian Advisory Committee

Hiring Committee

December

Advisory Committee Richard Brian

Evaluation Team

Beginning of Feb – End of Project

Brian Advisory Committee

Focus Group Recruitment

End of March

Brian Richard Advisory Committee

Focus Group

April

Brian Richard Advisory Committee

Logistics Team

Jan – End of Event

Brian Volunteers

A/V Team

Day of the Event

Richard Brian Volunteers

Promotion Plan

Feb – End of Event

Brian Social Media Coordinator Christian Advisory Committee Facilitators/Specialists

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V. OTHER RESOURCES

At the end of the session, the men’s team consolidated the questions that were asked by participants. Below are some helpful links for SLAMMERS about PrEP, Mental Health Resources and HIV/STI Testing:

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): http://www.catie.ca/fact-sheets/prevention/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep Advances in HIV Testing: http://www.catie.ca/en/pif/fall-2010/detecting-hiv-earlier-advances-hiv-testing HIV Criminalization in Canada: http://www.halco.org/areas-of-law/hiv-criminal-law Hassle Free Clinic Anonymous Testing Calendar: http://hasslefreeclinic.org/home/clinic-calendar/ ACT Counseling Services: http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/livingwithhiv Other community resources for gay/bi/trans guys: http://toronto.cmha.ca/files/2012/09/GBTQ-General-Referral-List-pdf.pdf

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VI. APPENDIX: POSTER and PROGRAM DESIGN

Poster and Program Design by James Lee

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