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Week of October 18
Keynote Speaker - Jack Saddleback
sâkihito-maskihkiy: Love Medicine
OCTOBER 18 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Jack Saddleback, International Speaker
Main Stage
Jack Saddleback bares raw stories with humourous musings to uplift spaces for identities like his, a Cree Two Spirit Transgender Gay man. Weaving experiences of personal resilience, community compassion, and societal shifts in his keynote, Jack inspires the self-love, community connection, and ancetoral acceptance we all deserve, the sâkihito-maskihkiy: Love Medicine we carry.
NETWORKING
OCTOBER 18 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Networking Room
OCTOBER 20 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Research perspectives of HIV self-testing
Rick Galli, Patrick O'Byrne, Chris Draenos
Zoom Room
Researchers from across Canada discuss the implementation of HIV self-testing. The presenters will discuss the work and outcomes of I'm Ready, Get a Kit, and research data from HIV self-testing. Researchers will present data on the social implications of HIV self-testing, such as homo/bi/transphobia on HIV self-testing, the role of stigma in HIV testing and health and social cost, and clinical practice.
OCTOBER 20 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
HIV self-testing; view from the front lines in our provincial alliance
Alexandra Musten, Adrian R. Betts,
Shiva Archarya, Robin Robinson, Randy Davis
Zoom Room
HIV self-testing was initiated in Canada in 2021. Community leaders from HIV sectors discuss the pros and cons of HIV self-testing as the response to HIV self-testing varies across different communities at risk. The panelists present insightful perspectives from the front-line. The experiences and knowledge gained from the front-line are crucial to implementing and advocating HIV-self testing for diverse GBMSM communities.
OCTOBER 22 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Welcome to HQ – Toronto’s home for queer men’s health
Zoom Room
Praney Anand, Barry Adam, Dr. Kevin Woodward,
Dr. Tim Guimond
LIVE - HQ is a new health centre for queer men's health in Toronto. Many years of work and advocacy have gone into the buildup of HQ. The panelists speak on the background evidence on the need for HQ in Toronto. HQ will offer innovations in HIV and STBBI testing, various clinical services, mental health, substance use interventions, and research, pathways to care and development, and service delivery for social health for 2SGBTQ+ people visiting the centre. AIDS Service Organization staff will be working out of HQ to serve the diversity of Toronto 2SGBTQ communities, including newcomers and queer people on the margins.
Introduction to epidemiology & an update of the epidemiology of HIV among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Ontario
OCTOBER 22 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Abigail Kroch, Sean Colyer
Zoom Room
The presentation will begin with an introduction to epidemiology, with specific attention to the metrics and methods used to monitor the HIV epidemic among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Ontario. Following this, an update of the epidemiology of HIV among GBMSM in Ontario will be presented with data up to 2019, including information regarding HIV testing, diagnoses, and prevalence.
Week of October 25
Doctors are people too. Community conversation on queerness in healthcare.
OCTOBER 25 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dr. Jordan Goodridge, Dr. Jon
Zoom Room
Gay men and queer people will often not seek out healthcare or delay seeking out healthcare due to experiences of discrimination and expected stigma related to their sexual orientation, sexual interests or behaviours, gender expression and other aspects of identity. During this lively discussion, we’ll hear from two physicians about the current standards of sexual health care for 2GBTQ+ people and their approaches to affirming and culturally appropriate care. We’ll also answer some of the more unexpected (or burning) questions that come up for queer men as we navigate sex.
OCTOBER 25 12:00PM - 12:30 PM
NETWORKING
Networking Room
2SGBTQ+ Health Policy in Canada
OCTOBER 25 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Dr. Cameron Mckenzie, Ryan Peck, Nick Boyce,
Dr. OmiSoore Dryden
Zoom Room
Policies affect and impact various intersections of GBMSM communities in Canada. The experts present four key policy issues that affect GBMSM. The four policy areas discussed are queer identity and health equity, HIV and criminalization, the blood ban for GBMSM, and overdose and drug criminalization. Be part of an engaging and enriching experience of critical perspectives and a deeper dive into the issues.
Keynote Session: Queer Health into 2022 and beyond: 10 steps towards smart activism, impactful health promotion, and community care
OCTOBER 27 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Will Nutland, Marc Thompson
Zoom Room
Marc Thompson and Will Nutland have 60 years of combined experience in health promotion. Their paths first collided in 1996, and they have since collaborated on national, regional and international programs, co-founding UK based PrEPster and the non-profit organisation The Love Tank. In this session they take us through 10 steps to building and fostering activism and health promotion, drawing on their years of practice. The session focuses on how we build community care to ensure our health and well-being as we foster change in our communities.
OCTOBER 25 12:00PM - 12:30 PM
NETWORKING
Networking Room
Updates on PrEP Implementation in Ontario
OCTOBER 27 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dr Kevin Woodward, Andrew Schnobe, Dr. Darrell Tan
Zoom Room
In Ontario, various clinicians have initiated steps and processes to increase uptake of PrEP across GBMSM populations at risk of HIV infection. We hear from two research scientists and a pharmacist on their leading work in implementing PrEP.
Community Updates on PrEP Implementation
OCTOBER 27 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Ahmed Muslimani, Greg Owens, Darryl
Zoom Room
PrEP is an anti-HIV drug approved to prevent HIV infection. Community leaders and front-line staff play a key role in building safe spaces for GBMSM to talk about sexual practices and access to PrEP. The front-line community leaders share their knowledge and skills in implementing PrEP as a response to community mobilization to reduce HIV infections. The panelists present knowledge exchange for other front-line staff in discussing PrEP with the GBMSM communities.
Navigating Towards the 2nd 95
OCTOBER 29 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Holly Gauvin, Alex Ma, Andre Ceranto, Sean Hosein
Zoom Room
The session will explore how we can bring Canada closer the to 2nd 95 UNAIDS target. We will have the opportunity to share and discuss examples of good practices for gbMSMs and develop action plans to maximize efforts towards effective holistic linkages to care.
Reflections of 40 years of HIV treatment, advocacy and activism
OCTOBER 29 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Joel Xavier, Tim McCaskell
Main Stage
In this session, we explore the 40 years since HIV was discovered, access to HIV treatment, and the role of HIV activism. In the 40 years, the HIV epidemic has substantially infected and affected GBMSM communities. The history of HIV treatment has evolved from monotherapy, dual therapy to triple combinations of antiretrovirals to the current one pill a day. Most of the evolution has come to be with HIV activism, and advocacy from the early 80's to current. We witness the power of activism for change from treatment advocates and lived experience of activists. This session will be instrumental to build KTE for many audience members on the evolution of HIV treatment over the 40 years.
Next frontier of HIV activism
OCTOBER 29 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
David Soomarie, Jermane, Alphonso King Jr.
Zoom Room
Activism invigorates us, gives power to a movement, mobilizes us for hope for change! In this session, we hear from four activists on their motivations as leaders, advocates, and activists against stigma, discrimination, HIV sero-status, access to antiretrovirals, and human rights on sexual and gender minorities. They will speak on topics close to their heart and passion for change as catalysts and role models in our communities.
Week of November 1
TIP of the iceberg: findings from the Trans Interweaving Project
NOVEMBER 1 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Devon MacFarlane, Shaz Islam
Zoom Room
In 2020 the GMSH initiated a trans-led project. The Trans Interweaving Project or TIP, as we call it, put the GMSH on a path to understand what meaningful engagement, inclusion, and integration of trans and non-binary people in our work might look like. Through engagement with trans people with a breadth of lived experiences, alliance members, and leadership in the HIV sector, we find ourselves with rich and critical information to action in our work. Join project lead Devon MacFarlane and other members of the team for a deep dive into TIP findings. These recommendations have exciting implications for the GMSH, our work as an alliance, and the HIV response broadly. Some are already being activated, while others require further collaboration. You don’t want to miss this chance to hear how trans and non-binary people, in their words, describe the connection to our sector and vision for the future.
NETWORKING
NOVEMBER 1 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Networking Room
Keynote Session: Black Queer Resilience post-HIV
NOVEMBER 3 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
LaRon Nelson, Leo Wilton, Roberta Timothy
Zoom Room
Three scholars present a lively presentation and critical discussions on Anti-Black racism, structural violence, HIV, resilience and mental health. We will hear a perspective of community healing: the impact of Anti-Black racism. PrEP engagement and implementation strategies for black same-gender-loving men (SGL). Audience members will have an opportunity to interact and discuss important issues that will benefit their work in providing services to Black SGL.
FACING Home: A Konversation on Queerness and the Arts
NOVEMBER 3 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Kevin Ormsby
Main Stage
There is no doubt we are still dealing with the impact of violence, erasure and marginalization on Queer persons across the world. Inspired by the research and showing of FACING Home: Love and Redemption, the discussion with the choreographer about the work, sexual health, research and wellness and a creative exploration with conference participants will follow.
COVID Immunity in People Living with HIV
NOVEMBER 5 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Ann Burchell, Curtis Cooper
Zoom Room
The presentation will discuss how people living with HIV develop immunity to natural infection and COVID vaccine. We will examine several research studies to better understand the intersection between COVID and HIV.
Same Labels, Different Determinants
NOVEMBER 5 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Zoom Room
Rahim Thawer
We often reduce mental health to diagnostic labels, wellness to the absence of symptoms, and queer men's health to prevalence rates. If we take an exploratory approach to mental health and wellness we can begin to unravel some of the specific determinants of mental health concerns that affect GBTQ2S guys. As a racialized queer psychotherapist, Rahim Thawer will seek to examine 11 unique determinants that queer men come up against that impact their wellbeing. These will include, but are not limited to, internalized shame, body image, substance use, ageing, and the landscape of connection seeking.
Week of November 8
Building resilience through the practice of mindfulness
NOVEMBER 8 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Moustafa Abdelrahman
Zoom Room
Our ability to cultivate resilience in times of adversity is influenced by the ability to bounce back from stressful states into care. This session will explore the role of mindfulness in preventing stress reactivity, cultivating a skillful response to life changes and providing a lifelong path to mind/body health.
Networking
NOVEMBER 8 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Networking Room
2Spirit & Indigi-Queer Identities, Histories and Experiences: Focus on Health and Wellbeing
NOVEMBER 8 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Ozhawa Anung Kwe Yellow Star Woman
Zoom Room
This interactive conversation will discuss what folks know and don't know about 2Spirit/Indigi-queer experiences about the beauty and barriers of navigating healthcare systems within intersectional identities. We will explore and learn of the holistic model of health and well-being for 2Spirit/Indigi-queer people. Participants will also share what is needed to meet certain capacity needs when caring for 2Spirit/Indigi-Queer folks and share their practices of providing active-allyship for 2Spirit and Indigi-queer community members.
Closing Keynote - Andrew Spieldenner, Ph.D
NOVEMBER 10 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Dr. Andrew Spieldenner, Ph.D
Main Stage
Dr. Andrew Spieldenner, Executive Director of MPact, will discuss the LGBTQ communities globally in the COVID-19 pandemic. The LGBTQ community has already borne a disproportionate burden in the HIV epidemic. COVID-19 made us more vulnerable economically, socially and politically. As countries put forth plans to emerge from the pandemic, Dr. Spieldenner questions if the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ community be addressed. Queer sex remains silenced, criminalized and ignored. Dr. Spieldenner will present some possibilities for queer communities, and ask our allies for support.