AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day

NEWSLETTER OF THE AIDS COALITION OF NOVA SCOTIA · FALL 2014 AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day AIDS Awareness Week is the last week of November e...
Author: Francine Harmon
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NEWSLETTER OF THE AIDS COALITION OF NOVA SCOTIA · FALL 2014

AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day AIDS Awareness Week is the last week of November every year; it is a time to reflect, celebrate and to hope for better lives for people living with HIV/AIDS in the future. World AIDS Day is commemorated worldwide on December 1st as a day dedicated to commemorate those who have passed on and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS globally. . This year, we want to focus on the resiliency of people living with HIV/AIDS for this Positive Dispatch and we have a personal story to share. Resiliency Story – Written by Simon Thwaites One definition of Resiliency is a quality in objects to hold or recover their shape, or in people to stay intact. It is a kind of strength. I’m not sure if I truly stayed intact or held or retained my shape because we all change. Time and life experience flows around us like an endless river on a rock which takes our rough edges of youth and makes us smooth and perfect as we age. Galileo, in the early 1600’s stated “You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him discover it in himself.” Living with AIDS I have learned as old friends pass away, new friends appear. There is a similarity to days, months and years as they come and go but what is important to me is to make it meaningful – a meaningful friend or a meaningful day. 1984 when I became positive was a crazy time. We didn’t have any medications back then. Essentially the doctors told you to get your affairs in order because you were as good as dead. 3 years was what I was told to expect. Striving to find answers because no one knew any, then I joined MACAIDS (Metro Community on AIDS) the first group in NS. It would be the beginning of my search for answers and volunteerism with AIDS groups which continues today 3 decades later. I also discovered over those first 10 or so years I was much stronger than anyone gave me credit for – I learned having a goal and hope and striving for what I thought was right were key components in keeping me focused on living. For sure there was painful moment’s, betrayals and reality checks along the way but giving up never entered my mind. I used my art as an escape painting and drawing but I think the most revealing about my state of mind is a journal I kept over those first ten years. In rereading those old entries I can see my anger, my hurts and amazement at some. In the mid 90s I refocused and ended up exploring my passion for art and my sense of spirituality. As a side effect of listening to families and friends -holding people’s hands over the years as they died from AIDS I recognized a deep spiritual connection we all have. After six years of study, I started a new journey as an Ordained Minister - a minister who is gay and open about being positive. It’s now another 5 years since that time and things are still evolving and changing, and yes, I have even more dreams and goals to achieve. Because my intent is on having a meaningful life, then the following is true for me; “Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome.”

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AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day See the event listings if you would like to be involved with this special week: November 30 – Healing our Nations will be kicking off Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week at the Holiday Inn Dartmouth from 1pm-4:30pm. This event is FREE and will include a fun interactive learning experience...including guest speakers, crafts and games. There will also be vendors, crafters and AIDS Services Organizations set-up. December 1 – Halifax AIDS Candlelight Vigil will be hosted by the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia at the Atlantica Hotel Halifax (1980 Robie Street) at 7pm. This is a memorial event for those with have lost to HIV/AIDS and an opportunity for the community to come together with hope for the future. Northern AIDS Connection Society are hosting many events—displays at local libraries and at NSCC, participating in the Healthy Choices Fair and a vigil. Details to be announced.

Support Services Update Just a reminder that the ACNS office is open from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. Laura Toole, Support Services coordinator is able to offer support and assistance during those times. We also have lots of resources, free condoms and computers for internet use. Do you know someone who is HIV positive and is relocating to Nova Scotia? We have developed a resource for people who are moving here which explains the healthcare system, medical coverage, financial supports and helpful contacts. For a copy, please contact Laura and send to anyone that may benefit from this resource. Here is some information about some financial assistance programs. If you are eligible and not accessing these programs, we would be happy to assist with your applications. Please contact us directly.   

Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit provides a base amount of $255.00 for individuals based on income GST/HST Credit is a federal program that offsets the amount of GST you pay annually, rebates are dependent on income Poverty Reduction Credit provides up to $250 annually to people who access income assistance

The Heating Assistance Rebate Program provides help to lower-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Based on income and usage you may be available for $200. Please contact ACNS for application; deadline is March 31, 2015.

Programs at ACNS! What’s Happening? The HIV-STBBI Knowledge Exchange and Health Promotion Forum SAVE THESE DATES! Wednesday June 17th to Saturday June 20th 2015 Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Scholarship information will be made available soon! For any questions please contact Michelle Johnson at (902) 425-4882 ext 226 or [email protected]

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Programs at ACNS! What’s Happening? 2013’s Check Me Out campaign (www.acns.ns.ca/Check-Me-Out ) continues, and has been a well-received success in getting gay / bi / bi-curious men in HRM to think about their sexual health, talk about it with key people in their lives, and go for HIV and/or STI testing. We are now looking to develop a similar tool based on the Check Me Out model for transgender people in Nova Scotia. We will be consulting with member of the trans community at various points to make sure we’re on the right track, if you would like to be part of the trans consultation process, or would like more info on the gay youth skills development piece, please contact Gay Men’s Health Coordinator Chris Aucoin at 902-425-4882 ext. 222 or email [email protected] New Work in Development Just in the first stages of development is a life skills training piece for young gay men in NS. This will be developed in consultation with gay and bi youth, and youth workers, from across the province. This program aims to build sexual health literacy, confidence building, communications and advocacy skills, etc. amongst young gay and bi men who are identified as likely peer leaders in their local LGBTQ communities. If you are a young man and would like to participate, contact Gay Men’s Health Coordinator Chris Aucoin at 425-4882 ext. 222 or email [email protected] . “Ass Class” will be back March 7, 2015! An adaption of the ground-breaking workshop from England on how men can have more enjoyable anal sex is back again. The Ass Class looks at instructing gay / bi or male-identified trans men in some basic anatomy as a way to understand the full range of anal sexual stimulation, response and health. Whether you’re an exclusive top, or total bottom, like toys, or whatever... knowing how things work inside will give you more control, more confidence and more pleasure. For more info, or to get on the contact list for the next Ass Class offering, contact Gay Men’s Health Coordinator Chris Aucoin at 425-4882 ext. 222 or email [email protected] .

Fundraising and Volunteer Updates While the date has yet to be set, we have begun recruiting volunteers for the Tour Tech East Post XMAS Party 2015. It’s an event that is heavily reliant on volunteers. We hope you’ll help us to reach full capacity! This event is held in late January/early February and it’s a huge event with live music. This commitment is kind of like a typical night out on the town EXCEPT you just won’t be drinking or paying a cover charge, you’ll be seeing lots of people at a function you wouldn’t normally attend, listening to great music and making a big difference in a lot of lives. For more information please contact Ned MacInnis at [email protected], or call 902-425-4882 x 226. Leadership Breakfast We are super excited to announce a brand new event on November 27th, 2014. The RBC Leadership Breakfast with our inaugural guest speaker Craig Kielburger co founder of Free the Children, Me to WE and We Day. AN inspiring event for individuals and teams working to create change and make a difference in the world. Leadership, is an important component of an organizations’ success as it fosters growth, innovation and helps us to reach our goals. Join us and other groups for our breakfast event with Craig Kielburger co founder ME to WE, Free The Children and WE Day where we will be inspired in the work that we do and to identify new and innovative ways to inspire others to be a part of the change moving forward. You can learn more about Craig at: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=FlnPlEMQKfc www.leadershipbreakfast.myevent.com Page 3

Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who walked, sponsored, donated, volunteered, or supported the 25th Anniversary of the Walk. Without all of you the day would not have been possible! We couldn’t have asked for better weather!!

In Memory

Leighann Wichman, 1972-2014 The AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia would like to express our profound sadness and sense of loss at the recent passing of Leighann Wichman, Executive Director of the Youth Project. Leighann was a community leader, tireless advocate, mentor, and the unwavering backbone of an organization that has worked effectively to make Nova Scotia a safer place for LGBTQ youth and community. Her impact on the development and growth of the LGBTQ movement, especially in the area of creating safer spaces for youth across NS, was immeasurable and will be remembered as her legacy. ACNS has had the pleasure of working together with Leighann and the Youth Project team on various projects in achieving shared goals. Leighann had a unique capacity to provide what most have noted as ‘quiet’ insight and straightforward leadership in addressing the needs of LGBTQ youth, and her leadership approach has lead her to have been a role model to countless youth. Her presence will be greatly missed, and her loss profoundly felt by many. Our condolences go out to her family, including the Youth Project family, and her many friends. She will be sorely missed. Page 4

Announcements & Events Join us for these upcoming community events!

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Community Events Thursday, November 20th - 6:30 pm (reception to follow), St. Matthew's United Church, 1479 Barrington St, Halifax Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR) - Halifax A candlelit walk will leave Victoria Park at 6 pm for St. Matthews. Those participating in the walk are asked to gather at Victoria Park (Spring Garden @ South Park) at 5.45 pm. TDOR, held annually on Nov. 20th, is an internationally recognized day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia, or the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people, and acts to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community. For more info http://nsrap.ca/community/tdor Saturday, December 6th - 6 pm, St. Andrew's United Church, 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax Rev. Darlene Young Memorial Community Dinner This annual free Holiday dinner was originally put on by Safe Harbour (MCC). The dinner is still put on by members of the LGBTQ community for the community. Donations can be made by contacting (Ed Savage) [email protected]. All help would be greatly appreciated.

CHABAC and CATIE in partnership are planning the first National Awareness Day, titled African, Caribbean & Black Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The date is February 7, 2015. More about events in your area to come.

What’s Happening? December

January

February

1—Halifax AIDS Vigil 9—Holiday Open House 11—Poz Guys Group

8—Poz Guys Group

12– Poz Guys Group

Holiday Closure Please note that ACNS will be closed during the holidays— We will close on December 24th at 3pm at re-open on January 5th at 10am. Contact Laura if we can provide support before the closure. If you need assistance during that time, contact these services: Helpline: 1 (877) 521-1188 Nurseline: 811 Mental Health Mobile Crisis: 1 (888) 429-8167 For serious health emergencies call 911 or go to your nearest hospital. Page 6