A frank discussion about gay & bisexual men and Rejection
with Marco Felvus, Professor & Program Manager,
Child & Youth Worker Program, Mohawk College

Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00pm
Mohawk College, Fennell Campus
MCACES Board Room/Lounge (F114/116)
(Across from Tim Horton’s in F Wing) – Venue is Wheelchair Accessible

*Please note that parking is $5*

The Men4Men Team, through The AIDS Network, welcomes gay and bisexual men to join the next installment of Homo Huddle. This month, Homo Huddle will explore the issue of rejection. It will feature a special guest presenter, Marco Felvus, Child & Youth Worker Program Manager from Mohawk College. The Huddle will be held on the Fennell Campus of Mohawk College.  This health promotion event is a gay men’s safe space.

Homo Huddle is a time set apart for men who have sex with men (MSM) to come together to talk, learn and socialize in a sex positive, safe environment.  Often MSM find it difficult to meet other men outside of various sexual arenas to share and grow in the nurturing company of men. In fulfilling its mission “To enhance the lives of men who have sex with men by reinforcing self-esteem and personal empowerment through sexual health education and resources” the Men4Men Team has put together a series of presentations that focus on issues of concern to sexually active MSM.

Contact:
David Gunton, The AIDS Network
(905)528-0854 (Hamilton)
(866)563-0563 (Toll Free)
Men4men@aidsnetwork.ca
www.men4men-ontario.ca

The Golden Horseshoe Bowling League encourages you to start thinking about the Hamilton Invitational No-tap Tournament (H.I.N.T.). The tournament will be taking place in April, which is just around the corner. Gather up some friends and get signed up for some springtime fun! For full details, visit www.ghbowling.ca - look for HINT in the menu bar.

Also, on the website, you can get more information about some other upcoming bowling tournaments in the surrounding area. If you just can’t get enough bowling in Hamilton, grab some friends to make a team and check out some of the fun tournaments nearby.

Contact:
ghblbowling@gmail.com
www.ghbowling.ca

Thursday, February 2 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Sky Dragon Centre, Homegrown Hamilton Cafe, 27 King William Street
(Between James & Hughson) – Venue is wheelchair accessible

*Free Refreshments Available. Bus Tickets Provided Upon Request.*

Join us for Coffee Night at The Well! Coffee Night is a place to meet friendly folks in a relaxed atmosphere, play cards or chat about what’s going on in Hamilton and beyond, and catch up with volunteers and staff on what’s been happening at The Well. All are welcome to enjoy this LGBTQ positive space.

Coffee Night takes place on the first and third Thursday of every month at the same time and location.

Contact:
layla@thewellhamilton.ca
(905)525-0300

Thursday, January 5 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Sky Dragon Centre, Homegrown Hamilton Cafe, 27 King William Street
(Between James & Hughson) – Venue is wheelchair accessible

*Free Refreshments Available. Bus Tickets Provided Upon Request.*

Join us for Coffee Night at The Well! Coffee Night is a place to meet friendly folks in a relaxed atmosphere, play cards or chat about what’s going on in Hamilton and beyond, and catch up with volunteers and staff on what’s been happening at The Well. All are welcome to enjoy this LGBTQ positive space.

Coffee Night takes place on the first and third Thursday of every month at the same time and location.

Contact: layla@thewellhamilton.ca / (905)525-0300

We have had a wonderful year, and on behalf of our staff, volunteers, participants, partners and directors I’d like to thank the many community members who have made it happen.  From gifts of money to gifts of time, what you give make programs and social spaces more than just another wish in Hamilton.  Donations reserve rooms, buy healthy snacks and make bus tickets available.  Gifts of all kinds from Hamilton LGBTQ people and allies make everything we do possible.  With much more left to do, we need your help to keep going.

Your donation is tax deductible and easily made online through the link at http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/donate.  We also most happily accept cheque, cash and equipment donations.  Consider this list of some of our volunteer and staff team’s accomplishments in 2011 when thinking about what your donation supports:

• 52 meetings of the LGBTQ youth group where youth of all ages find a welcoming and safe space to hang out
• 40 weekly runs of the running and walking group, mixing recreation, healthy options and fun with safe spaces and community connections
• 25 meetings of the Trans Peer Support Group who create an environment of respect, support and education for individuals along all parts of a personal and challenging journey
• 20 meetings of the Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women Peer Support Group who provide a drop-in environment for women defining or redefining their sexuality
• 12 meetings of the new Gay and Bi Men’s Group that brings facilitated discussions, educational opportunities and social links in a confidential and safe space
• 20 coffee nights open to all, where volunteers, friends and group participants share their experiences and their hopes for The Well’s growth
• Parent’s sharing circle, with parents supporting parents of LGBTQ youth
• School and GSA outreach
• Social program advocacy to reduce barriers for all Hamiltonians
• Hate crime & hate incident advocacy, assistance and prevention activities
• Hundreds of Trans Advocacy and Outreach staff hours
• Clinical encounter and trans support space
• Partnerships with organizations in and beyond Hamilton
• LGBTQ Youth Prom
• “Born This Way” Gala at the Art Gallery of Hamilton
• Youth-led “Make it Better” Event and Vigil at City Hall
• Skill and leadership development for existing and new volunteers
• Accessible Hamilton Pride 2011 activities
• Management of a team of LGBTQ and ally volunteers that run many programs on a community-supporting-community model (and staff support, training and insurance for that team)
• Tens of training sessions offered to partner organizations, private companies and individuals
• Development of new and expanded training in positive space, trans issues, social justice, anti-oppression and other areas
• One-on-one counselling and crisis assistance

There are many ways to get involved.  Please contact us to learn more about how Hamilton’s LGBTQ communities are promoting each other’s wellness, and your role in that important goal. Please consider us this holiday season when rounding out your charitable donations for 2011, and consider a monthly giving pledge (also available through http://www.thewellhamilton.ca/donate) in 2012.

With thanks & best wishes,

Simon

Simon Lebrun (volunteer)
on behalf of the volunteers, staff, and board of directors of
The LGBTQ Community Wellness Centre of Hamilton (“The Well”)

Open to all — group participants, volunteers, friends and family — who make The Well a vibrant community year-round.  Join us for a meal, games, music, discussion & making new friends.  Bring along friends and family, and an appetite.  Arrive promptly at 6pm or drop in any time throughout the evening!  Hosted by Simon and Will.

December Open House @ The Well
Sunday, December 25th from 6pm to 10pm
The Welcome Inn
40 Wood Street, Hamilton ON (map)
No cost. Open to all. Bus tickets available.

Getting There

The Welcome Inn is on Wood Street East just east of James Street North and south of Burlington Street.  Bus 4 Bayfront, caught on James South heading north to Hunter or going south on MacNab south of Jackson Square, goes right by Wood Street at James Street North.  Its a 25 minute walk from downtown Hamilton to the Welcome Inn. There’s easy street parking around the building.  Come in, up the stairs and through the door to your left.

Thursday, December 15 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main Street West
(Between Bay & MacNab) – Venue is wheelchair accessible

*Refreshments Provided. Bus Tickets Available Upon Request.*

Come meet The City of Hamilton LGBTQ Advisory Committee members to share information about programs, services and resources. This committee was established to make recommendations about policies, procedures and guidelines to City Council and staff so as to address the needs and concerns of Hamilton’s LGBTQ community. This Open House is an opportunity for LGBTQ community members and allies to meet, discuss and share views with Committee members.

Contact: May-Marie Duwai-Sowa  at may-marie.duwai-sowa@hamilton.ca / (905)546-2424 x 8080

Thursday, December 1 at 7:30pm
Christ’s Church Cathedral, 252 James Street North
(Between James & Barton) – Venue is wheelchair accessible

*Free Snacks and Refreshments Available after the Vigil.*

The AIDS Network invites you to participate in this special event marking World AIDS Day and the 25th anniversary of the organization. The event will include special guest speakers Scott Bryson, MP and Dr. Jay Browne, one of the Co-Founders of The AIDS Network. After the service, a celebration of 25 years of service by the AIDS Network will take place. Cake, light refreshments and a look at the past through photos, posters and keepsakes will be part of the celebrations.

World AIDS Day Vigil Poster

Contact: Ruthann Tucker at rtucker@aidsnetwork.ca / (905)528-0854

—

Hey there!

Trans PULSE is inviting you to take part in this study so that we can gather in-depth information on the experiences of trans people living with HIV in Ontario.

… This is a new Phase of Trans PULSE. You may have taken part in the survey phase over the past year. If so, thank you for your input! This phase is focused solely on the needs of trans people living with HIV.

Anyone who is a resident of Ontario of 16 years or older and identifies as a trans person living with HIV may participate in this research project. It does not matter if you are pre-op, post-op, non-op, whether or not you’re taking hormones, or how you look today; what is important is that you identify as trans. The interview itself will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete. As the participant, you may choose a location where you would prefer to complete the interview.

For participating in this study you will receive two $25 gift cards (Pizza Pizza, HBC or Canadian Tire) and we can help compensate for out-of-pocket childcare and transportation costs. We’d like you to share your experiences to the extent that you feel comfortable doing so. All interviews are confidential.

Contact: Caleb at transpulse.interview@gmail.com / (416)522-5408

Thursday, December 1 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Sky Dragon Centre, Homegrown Hamilton Cafe, 27 King William Street
(Between James & Hughson) – Venue is wheelchair accessible

*Free Refreshments Available. Bus Tickets Provided Upon Request.*

Join us for Coffee Night at The Well! Coffee Night is a place to meet friendly folks in a relaxed atmosphere, play cards or chat about what’s going on in Hamilton and beyond, and catch up with volunteers and staff on what’s been happening at The Well. All are welcome to enjoy this LGBTQ positive space.

Coffee Night takes place on the first and third Thursday of every month at the same time and location.

Contact: coordinator@thewellhamilton.ca / (905)525-0300