What’s New?
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection is reaching out to find volunteers for the SexNow Survey coming to London Pride Festival on July 28 and 29!
About the Study:
Sex Now Survey is a community-based, national gay men’s health survey. The study is housed at Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men’s Health (CBRC) in Vancouver, BC. The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) is one of the partners for the study.
Dedicated teams across Canada are working hard to better understand gay men’s needs and health in Canada. We hope that with the data we collect, we can support improving the health gay men in Canada. This year, we are also hoping to change the discriminatory blood donation policy at Canadian Blood Service.
Depending on your interests and skills, you can volunteer with Sex Now either as a recruiter/survey administrator or as a dried blood spot (DBS) sample collector. Your engagement and support will promote better understandings of the needs and health of gay men in Canada, and work toward ending the discriminatory blood donation policy in Canada. There will be a $50 honourium provided.
For more information on the opportunity: Sex Now Survey Volunteer Callout
If you are interested in volunteering for Sex Now, please kindly fill out the Sex Now volunteer survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/N8P8FWB
If you have any questions regarding the study or the volunteer opportunity, please be in touch with London Sex Now Coordinator, Sean Colyer (scolyer@ohtn.on.ca or 416-642-6486 ext. 2316).
This is a great way to volunteer to help make a difference in the LGBTQ2+ Community!
Knowledge is power, and RHAC couldn’t be more excited to share the powerful theme of ‘knowledge’ at this year’s London Pride festival. This year’s theme will recognize and promote important advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV, from PrEP to U=U. Come visit our booth during Pride to learn more and celebrate health and wellness in our community. We can’t wait to see you!
RHAC will also be walking in the parade on July 29th-Come join us!
Canadian HIV Stigma Index - Call For Participants
The HIV Stigma Index is a research and community-building tool used in more than 90 countries worldwide. It is now being implemented in Ontario by a diverse team comprised of community-based representatives, service providers, and academics through St. Michael’s hospital.
Purpose of the Study
The aim of the HIV Stigma Index is to collect information about the experiences of people living with HIV related to stigma, discrimination, and human rights.
Research Process
The HIV Stigma Index is a peer-driven project: It has been developed and implemented by people living with HIV, which means that the Index questions will be asked by another person living with HIV. The Index is carried out in person, and takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete. All participants will be provided with a $50 honorarium.
Benefits of Participating
In addition to helping inform the wider community about experiences of stigma for people living with HIV, the process of implementing the Stigma Index is empowering.
To participate contact Colt Burrows at 1-877-392-7389 or burrowsco@smh.ca
RHAC will be at Sunfest from July 5th to July 8th!
Knowledge is power, and RHAC couldn’t be more excited to share the powerful theme of ‘knowledge’ at this year’s Sunfest festival. This year’s theme will recognize and promote important advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV, from PrEP to U=U. Come visit our booth during Sunfest to learn more and celebrate health and wellness in our community. We can’t wait to see you!
Location: RHAC Boardroom #30-186 King St, London ON
RHAC is launching a new clinic at 186 King Street to prescribe PrEP: the HIV prevention drug! PrEP is a medication that one can take daily to prevent HIV. PrEP is highly effective when used consistently and correctly. We are happy to announce a partnership with SpecialtyRx to be able to offer this to the community, with a nurse practitioner who will be accepting clients twice a month as of June.
This event is a FREE presentation that will go over the ins and outs of PrEP, and provide an overview of the services we will offer. If you or someone you know is interested in PrEP, or if you’re a service provider, this is a perfect opportunity to learn about our new service!
Please RSVP via the EventBrite link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/prep-clinic-launch-tickets-46323755600
PrEP Clinic Launch Facebook Event
Contact Kody, our Gay Men’s HIV Prevention Worker at kcarlson@hivaidsconnection.ca for more information.
A Heartfelt Evening, hosted by and in support of John Gordon Home, is on Tuesday, May 29th. Funds raised through this event will contribute to providing essential items and services for residents transitioning out of JGH, and back into the community, based on need. These items may include linens, beds, small appliances, other common household itemsand related moving costs.
For more information, visit the event for details.
Join us for the World AIDS Day Vigil in London at Trinity United Church on December 1 (7-8 PM). The event (not including the audience) will also be live-streamed on RHAC's official Facebook.
Join us for the World AIDS Day Vigil in Stratford at Community of Christ on November 30 (7-8:30 PM). The event (not including the audience) will also be live-streamed on RHAC's official Facebook.
