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  International Day against Homophobia to be marked with ‘Queerposium’ in Victoria Victoria, BC – Creating an inclusive, playful and safe space for queer and trans people and their allies, are the guiding themes for this spring’s Queerposium, happening on Saturday, May 18th. Queerposium will coincide with the International Day against Homophobia with a day-long event starting at the New Horizons Centre in James Bay. The day will feature a morning of workshops and discussion with lunch provided, followed by an afternoon “Queering the Streets” bike ride and performance. “We aim to build community engagement through discussion and play in an accessible and safe space for LGBTTIQQ2SAP folk and the people who love us,” says Anna Malkin, one of the event organizers.

What’s new in HIV Research? Community report-back from CAHR 2013 conference Presented by CATIE, AIDS Vancouver Island & S.O.L.I.D.   Monday, May 27 11:30-12:30pm Light lunch served Open to the public   Location: Greater Victoria Public Library, Central Branch Public meeting room (off the rotunda) 735 Broughton St. Victoria

What’s new in HIV Research? Community report-back from CAHR 2013 conference Presented by CATIE & AIDS Vancouver Island   Tuesday, May 28 12:30-1:30pm Light lunch served Open to the public   Location: Nanaimo Harbourfront Regional Library Public meeting room 90 Commercial St. Nanaimo  

Join communities around the world in the largest grassroots movement against HIV and AIDS. When: Sunday, May 19, 2013 @ 7:30pm Where: On the steps of the legislative assembly Contact: Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society email: support@vpwas.org or call 250. 382.7927 More info click here

The Queerposium experience is underway. We've met a couple of times and know a bit more about what is going to happen on the day. But more importantly we're engaged in the  ongoing discussion about what we want to see happen, how we want to function as a group, and how we go about making sure that everyone feels recognized and welcome at our meetings and at our events. It's a learning curve for all of us in our own different ways and I think we're all up for it and happy for the experience to learn about each other and our collective needs/wants/goals/ways of working. There's still room for your input. If you were hesitant before but still want to join us please do. We're a pretty friendly group and we're always open to new ideas. In fact, that's what makes us tick. Our meeting times will be posted on the website, or you can email us for an update.

As a result of the recent publication of a letter negatively portraying Aboriginal communities in the Nanaimo Daily News,  AIDS Vancouver Island has made the decision to decline current sponsorship from the paper to promote our fundraising event Dining Out For Life.   We had intended to run ads throughout the month of April to promote the event.  However as a result of the stigmatizing and offensive rhetoric that reinforces damaging stereotypes about Aboriginal communities, we can no longer affiliate ourselves with the paper in this way.   Unfortunately, our print deadline occurred before this most recent article was posted which means the Nanaimo Daily News logo is on some of our print materials. However moving forward, we intend to remove their logo from any future print advertisements. 

ALL are welcome to attend this meeting to discuss plans for the next Queerposium event in Victoria. To learn more about last year's event, click here.   Queerposium is an ever-evolving series of playful, engaging and enlightening events for LGBTTIQQ2SAP* folk and the people who love us. Did you hear about BussedOut!?#%? The day - long interactive queer bus tour last fall? That was us! We have a lot of fun bringing together different people from all over the local queer and trans communities. We’re looking for some smart, fun, funny, queer positive, savvy innovators to join us in the creation of the next Queerposium in May 2013.

AIDS Vancouver Island has been providing safer sex prevention and education information on Vancouver Island for more than 25 years.   We provide this information based on the most current and up-to-date resources, demonstrating our commitment to reducing the spread and harms associated with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C across Vancouver Island.

What does the current research say about health trends for Gay, Bi, and MSM men in BC? How are health and social services responding - and is it effective? How do we apply the provincial research and create more relevant health and social services on the island? This presentation will bring together front-line panelists from leading programs for Gay, Bi and MSM men in Vancouver to present what's happening in BC and engage us in a discussion on what we can do about it, here and now. To register, go to http://menswellnessprogram.eventbrite.ca Panelists: Olivier Ferlatte, CBRC Research Education Director, Sex Now Survey Travis Salway Hottes, Epidemiologist, BCCDC. Kieth Reynolds, Outreach and Online Engagement Co-ordinator, HIM (Health Initiaive for Men). FREE, with Lunch provided Two regional dates:

Please join us on Feb 22nd. This training will cover a broad spectrum of topics related to HIV and hep C co-infection, harm reduction and improving service provision. This free training is for social service and health care providers. Light lunch and beverages provided. Event venue is wheelchair accessible. Please call 250 384 2366 ext. 2270 or email Hermione.Jefferis@Avi.Org  if you have any dietary restrictions or are looking for more information. Those interested are encouraged to register online: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5409893136/eivtefrnd# Please see the agenda below.  Conference Agenda  Feb. 22, 2013  8:30am - 9:00am: Registration, coffee, muffins and fruit available