HIV/AIDS is a global crisis and young people, worldwide, are one of the most vulnerable groups. Within the youth population there is strong evidence that girls are particularly at risk. Although female vulnerability to HIV infection is now acknowledged, there are few research studies that focus specifically on issues of gender and youth in relation to HIV prevention.
We are a team of researchers (faculty and graduate students) working in several research sites and interested in participatory approaches to working with young people in relation to sexuality, HIV prevention and AIDS awareness.
In our work we have a number of projects and research studies. The overall goal of this work is to develop gender-based analyses of HIV/AIDS that can be used in prevention programs with youth. For further information on our projects, please contact us.
Empower: Youth, Arts, and HIV/AIDS Activism Launch Party!
Check out Drag Performances, Interactive Panel Discussions, Fashion, Visual Art Exhibitions, Discussion Panels, and Sexy Safer Sex Information! Come out to an interactive, action-packed World AIDS Day event with performances, exhibitions and discussions by local youth activists and educators, service providers and community organizers. This is a Queer Positive space.
This FREE interactive symposium will launch "Empower: Youth, Arts and Activism: An HIV/AIDS Activism Manual for Youth by Youth." For more information on the manual, see below.
Performances, Exhibition and Discussion by:
- Kim Simard, Prise Positive
- Jay, Romeo and Company, sprOUT, Griffin Centre
- Nidhi Punyarthi, Gendering Adolescent AIDS Prevention
- Jessica Yee, Native Youth Sexual Health Network
- Jessica Whitbread, No Pants No Problem Party Organizer
- Henry Luyombya, Peer Educator, Planned Parenthood Positive Prevention
- Jenn Yee, Visual Artist
- Lulu Gurney and Aaron Chan, Youth CO
- David Lewis-Peart, Mary Yehdego, and Shani Robertson, Black-CAP
Everyone is welcome. Snacks & Refreshments Provided. Guests will receive a free copy of the manual upon arrival. For questions or more information, please contact cuhi.admin@utoronto.ca
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: November, 26, 2009Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm
Place: William Doo Auditorium*,
New College, University of Toronto.
45 Willcocks
(SW Corner of Willcocks and Spadina. Closest Subway Station: Spadina)
* Wheelchair accessible.
*** The launch will be preceded by a talk by Dr. Jessica Fields (Sociology, City University of New York), "Under Lock and Key: Sex Education and the Effort to Prevent and Protect", as well as a networking reception. These events are organized as part of the Youth Sexual Health RIG.
Event date/time: November 26, 20094:00 - 5:30: Dr. Jessica Fields talk - Women and Gender Studies
Lounge, 2nd Floor Wilson Hall Residence (20 Willcocks)
5:30 - 6:00: Networking Reception
6:00-9:00: Manual Launch & Symposium - William Doo Auditorium (45 Willcocks)
Empower: Youth, Arts, and Activism
The manual, Empower: Youth, Arts, and Activism, is designed for youth by youth, and features a diverse range of projects put forward by passionate, inspiring and fired-up individuals committed to social change. Each individual, group and project is committed to challenging social and structural issues around HIV and AIDS. From HIV positive youth fighting stigma to peer education projects and safer sex parties, this manual honours the work of communities creating spaces to talk about the issues that matter most. And? each project is accomplished with the use of art!
Partners of Empower: Youth, Arts, and Activism:
Youth Action Network www.youthactionnetwork.org/ Gendering Adolescent AIDS Prevention (GAAP) www.utgaap.info Centre for Urban Health Initiatives (CUHI) www.cuhi.utoronto.caPrinting of the manual has been generously supported by CATIE. To order a FREE copy of the manual after the launch, please visit the CATIE Ordering Centre at www.catie.com after the launch. CATIE Centre Catalogue Number ATI-26158. More details about online availability of the manual will be available after the launch.
