HIV 101: Canadian HIV Activists & Organizations

Freddie Magazine interviewed Max Housany, the men's outreach coordinator for the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) for this article.

The HIV pioneers

When it comes to advocating for people living with HIV, there is no shortage of courageous and compassionate leaders who selflessly support the cause. 

Take, for example, Bill Lewis. An epidemiologist by trade, Lewis was a vocal supporter of those living with HIV and was an active member of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT). In April 1983, he wrote an opinion piece—”AIDS: Discounting the Promiscuity Theory”—for The Body Politic. 

“This article was a radical departure from what was being said by gay American activists, some of whom, at the time, promoted the idea that men were eroding their bodies by exposing themselves [to] common sexually transmitted infections through multiple sexual encounters, therefore eroding their immune system,” said Max Housany, the men’s outreach coordinator for the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO). “Lewis’ article countered this ideology.” 

“We should not be concerned with developing a ‘new sexual ethic,’” Lewis stated towards the end of his piece. “Rather, we need to seek ways to make sex as healthy and risk-free as possible.’” 

Then there’s George Smith, a founding member of AIDS ACTION NOW! (AAN). 

“George refused to view HIV/AIDS as a death sentence,” Housany continued. 

“Instead, George worked to put into place conditions which would allow HIV/AIDS to become a manageable condition. At the time, George argued and pushed the government and medical community to actively engage in investing in treatments to extend and improve the lives of individuals living with HIV/AIDS rather than solely focus on palliative care and prevention.”

Housany also supported current activist Tim McCaskell. 

“Tim has been a prominent gay activist for most of his life,” he said. “He worked for The Body Politic, which mounted a response against the fear-mongering media that was being perpetuated against HIV/AIDS and those living with HIV/AIDS. He also went on to work on the Right to Privacy Committee after the Toronto Bathhouse raids and is one of the founders of AIDS Action Now. Tim continues to work in the field of activism to this very day.” 

To learn more about the history of HIV activism in Canada, visit the AIDS Activist History Project’s website. If you're interested in how you can do your part in reducing the transmission of HIV, here's an article on how to access PrEP in Canada.

Getting involved, finding services today

There are many institutions providing support to those living with HIV or those interested in reducing transmissions. 

• AIDS Committee of Ottawa–ACO provides services to those living with HIV and follows a social justice framework to address racism and oppression in providing services and resources for those living with HIV.
• AIDS Committee of Toronto–This group works to reduce the number of HIV transmissions in Toronto to zero. ACT also works to eliminate stigma and reduce AIDS deaths.
• Canadian AIDS Society–A national institution composed of more than 20 peer organizations providing information and resources, advocacy at the federal level, and mobilization opportunities for those looking to join the movement. 

Member organizations:

• Action Hepatitis Canada (AHC)
• Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH)
• All Nations Hope Network
• Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec (ADIDQ)
• Association québécoise des centres d'intervention en dépendance (AQCID)
• Association Québécoise pour la promotion de la santé des personnes utilisatrices de drogues (AQPSUD)
• Atlantic Interdisciplinary Research Network: HIV/HCV (AIRN) 
• BC Hepatitis Network 
• CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks
• Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
• Centre Associatif Polyvalent d'Aide Hépatite C (CAPAHC)
• Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le sida (COCQ-SIDA)
• Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC)
• Dr. Peter Centre
• HIV Legal Network
• Nine Circles Community Health Centre 
• Ontario AIDS Network
• Pacific AIDS Network (PAN)
• REALIZE
• Table des organismes communautaires montréalais de lutte contre le sida‍
• Prevention Access Campaign (PAC)– A global campaign promoting the understanding that an undetectable HIV viral load means that a person cannot transmit the disease (Undetectable=Untransmittable or (U=U)). We've written more on this if you're planning on having sex with someone HIV+.
  

Many of these institutions provide volunteer opportunities for those looking to support the campaign to educate the public, reduce transmissions, and protect the rights of those living with HIV. 

The fight isn’t over. We still have a long way to go before we completely eliminate the stigma surrounding those living with HIV, reduce the number of new diagnoses, and provide equitable healthcare and services for anyone who is HIV positive. The courageous work of individuals and institutions across Canada—and the world—is a testament to hope and resistance.