ASAAP
120 Carlton Street, Suite 212 M5A 4K2 Toronto, ON, Canada

ASAAP Annual General Meeting (virtual) is on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 7 - 8 pm. Please scan the QR code below or click here to register in advance: https://docs.google.com/.../1mis.../viewform... Zoom link will be sent out to registered participants. For any questions or concerns, email Praney Anand: [email protected]... Thank you! ASAAP Chair ASAAP Board Interim ED

ASAAP Annual General Meeting (virtual) is on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 7 - 8 pm. Please scan the QR code below or click here to register in advance: https://docs.google.com//1mis-6qwf7k8OEGhzZ9e2aU/viewform Zoom link will be sent out to registered participants. For any questions or concerns, email Praney Anand: [email protected]... Thank you! ASAAP Chair ASAAP Board Interim ED

ASAAP has been graciously promised a matching of up to $5,555 for any monies raised in the month of November. We're reaching out to our community to donate what they can so we can reach this goal and have $11,110 to support our programs and clients who may have come upon hardship during the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://www.canadahelps.org///5555-matching-charity-drive/ We appreciate all donations - nothing is too small! ... With Gratitude ASAAP

Hello Everyone, It’s exciting for us to see that there are some positive trends around new infections of COVID, however we have a bit more work to do. Our offices will be closed until May 15, 2020 unless otherwise specified by Public Health professionals. Staff will continue to work from home and come to the office as needed. ... During this time, we have had requests for items. Please do continue to reach out to staff and we can find ways to connect with you to help you with what you need. I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your patience and cooperation with us as we do our part in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our service users and the broader public. I’m also grateful to the staff as they continue to support our folks. Sincerely, Haran

*please do not apply via Facebook*. See email address below. We're hiring! We’re looking for an Indo-Caribbean Women’s Health Coordinator and Indo-Caribbean Women’s Youth Peer. Please see the attached job postings! send your application to [email protected] https://www.asaap.ca/get-involved-2

https://cep.health/clinical-products/hiv/

We did not forget that it was the AIDS Vigil last night, but we did forget to post this video, starting off with a some familiar faces saying what the AIDS Vigil means to them: Bob Leahy, John Tory, Jennifer from the LGBT2SQ Archives, Natalie from the Franco-Quebecois community, and Michael from MedsExpert Pharmacy. We remember those who we have lost in the fight against HIV and AIDS this year and past years. Then, we can listen or sing along with Jade Elektra as she sings her modern rendition of a classic tune that reminds us that Undetectable=Untransmittable is a game-changer for so many people living with HIV, as is support for those who cannot access ARV medications and/or other resources to help them gain good health living with HIV.

In solidarity...

CATIE Webinar on May 21st: Sex in the time of COVID-19: Insights from the sexual health sector https://www.catie.ca//sex-time-covid-19-insights-sexual-he

For everyone celebrating, wishing you great health, peace, joy and prosperity!

Recruiting South Asian LGBQ+ Cis-gender Females for Sexual Health Study, McMaster University. Collaborator: ASAAP 2nd photo of statement as to why trans women are not being considered for this study was done by Pragya Mishra and the McMaster team.

Today marks the 11th Anniversary of the Mullivaikkal massacre. According to Countercurrents.org .....The total number of Tamil civilians killed during the final months is widely contested. After providing an initial death toll of 40,000, the UN found evidence suggesting that 70,000 were killed. Local census records indicate that at least 146,679 people are unaccounted for and presumed to have been killed. (2019). Last year the province of Ontario passed bill 104 acknowledg...ing the week prior to May 18th is Tamil Genocide Awareness Week. As ASAAP continues to work with the South Asian community, we must acknowledge the trials and tribulations of the diverse communities that fall under the umbrella term ‘South Asian’. The genocide of Tamils is another tragic injustice, among many, that has plagued the world. These tragedies do not only impact one community/country - it has devastating impacts on the world for now and generations to come. ASAAP’s work recognizes the impacts of these tragedies on the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. In particular, the impact of this particular tragedy and its impact on individuals from the LGBTIQA+ communities who also identify as Tamil and how they are reconciling and addressing the multiple forms of oppressions they face while working through this trauma. We hope that all of you reading this post, takes a few minutes out of your day to read up on the history of the conflict in Sri Lanka. P.E.A.R.L. We remember the lives of those who have been identified as murdered and those who are still missing. Our thoughts are with the families who still do not know where their loved ones are. If you are experiencing difficulties during this time, please feel free to message us privately or email us - we can help you find supports. Alternatively, please do call the Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600. #tamilgenocide #mullivaikkal

CATIE Webinar on May 21st: Sex in the time of COVID-19: Insights from the sexual health sector https://www.catie.ca//sex-time-covid-19-insights-sexual-he

In honour of the final day of Dalit History Month we’re going to take some time to share the story of Nangeli. The story of Nangeli, an avarna woman who cut of her breasts in protest of the Travancore King’s breast tax, is commonly reinterpreted, politicized, dismissed and even sometimes filled with mistakes by many people who retell the story. The narratives around Nangeli have coined her as a feminist icon by sarvarna elites, to a rural legend aimed to spread misinformat...ion, but often forget the explicit anti-casteist motivation of her dissent. Swipe through this post to learn about Nangeli, the Channar Revolt and the context of these anti-caste struggles while clearing up common misconceptions. Art and research by @chandrakari on Instagram. #dalithistorymonth #dalitbahujanadivasi #dalibahujanactivism #bahujanhistory #kerala #nangeli #breasttax #alappuzha #chertala #travancore #casteism #caste #avarna #channarrevolt #nadar #ezhava #subaltern #feminism #breastclothstruggle #keralahistory #ckesavan #gowriamma

Hey Everyone! During this isolation, has your idle mind been a devil's workshop or a playground of creativity? We at ASAAP would like to showcase your creations over the next month to help inspire others. Most of you have taken up artistic hobbies such as painting, interior decorating, writing, poems, gardening, make-up tutorials, drag shows, etc and we would like that creativity to spread...well instead of COVID 19.... So email your artwork in the form of writings, before and after photos, short clips and videos which will be reviewed and uploaded on our Facebook pages. We will showcase an individual if they are comfortable or it could be done anonymously if someone would like to withhold their name or profile on social media. Come on...let spread Art Questions?? Email - [email protected]

We are excited to announce that we received new funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to support LGBTQI+ folks who self-identify as South Asian or Middle Eastern North African (MENA). We are hiring for the following positions: Manager of Settlement Services Settlement Worker - Farsi Speaking Settlement Worker... South Asian’ is a broad term referring to people with heritage from countries including but not limited to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. We recognize that throughout history, South Asian individuals and families have been relocated across the globe. As such, we welcome people of Indo- Caribbean, Trinidadian, Guyanese, Indo- European and Indo-African heritage, as well as other South Asian diaspora with roots in places such as Fiji, Maldives and Mauritius. We recognize that Middle Eastern and North African is a broad term referring to people with heritage from countries including but not limited to Afganhistan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar (just to name a few). Similar to the South Asian experience, we recognized individuals and families have been relocated across the globe throughout history and currently. As such, we welcome individuals who self-identify from the MENA community irrespective of your place of birth. RAHA program

Hello everyone, Just as an update. ASAAP's offices will be closed further to include the week of March 23rd to March 27th inclusive. All meetings, events and group activities are cancelled until April 14th. We will continue to update you. We realize that many of our folks are isolated, as such staff will be working from home and will be issued work cell phones so that they can maintain contact with those folks who don't have access to emails. I will share the numbers on so...cial media on Monday. Thank you all for your patience during this time. I am grateful for your cooperation as we play our small part in curbing the pandemic at our doorsteps. Sincerely, Haran

Take care of yourself. Take care of others. For the most up-to-date information, visit: https://www.canada.ca//2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.ht... https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus https://www.catie.ca/en/home See more

Dear folks, Staff will be working from home with limited access to the office until further notice. All trainings and meetings are cancelled unless they can be done via zoom or other technologies. Shaz and Chhiring have cell phones for the Support team. Awais and Abhi have the cell phone for the Education and outreach team. Staff holding agency cell phones will only answer cell phones from 10am to 7pm (the latest, unless there is an appointment) The numbers are below:... Abhi 416-768-1548 Awais 416-824-6271 Shaz 416-821-6582 Chhiring 416-821-3670 Staff emails are updated on our website found here: http://asaap.ca/about-2/staff/ Thank you for your patience with us as we do our best to support folks while maintaining the health and wellbeing of staff. Sincerely, Haran

Hello everyone, Just as an update. ASAAP's offices will be closed further to include the week of March 23rd to March 27th inclusive. All meetings, events and group activities are cancelled until April 14th. We will continue to update you. We realize that many of our folks are isolated, as such staff will be working from home and will be issued work cell phones so that they can maintain contact with those folks who don't have access to emails. I will share the numbers on so...cial media on Monday. Thank you all for your patience during this time. I am grateful for your cooperation as we play our small part in curbing the pandemic at our doorsteps. Sincerely, Haran