The day originated in 2001, when over 25,000 sex workers gathered in India for a sex worker festival, despite efforts from prohibitionist groups who tried to prevent it taking place by pressuring the government to …
February 7 is African, Caribbean & Black Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Start a conversation. Know your health options. End the stigma! On Tuesday, February 7, HIV Community Link joins the Canadian HIV and AIDS Black, African and Caribbean Network (CHABAC) in celebrating National African, Caribbean & …
Sex Work and Language, why does it matter?
Language shapes the way we perceive the world around us, how we interact with it, and how others respond in return. If we want to provide the best possible care and support to sex workers, …
December 17 is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Read Some of Their Stories
! This article contains graphical depictions of violence and potentially traumatic subject matter In Calgary, it is estimated that there are 1000-3000 sex workers, and less than 10% of the sex work occurs on the …
My dad died ashamed. The world would just be a better place without the stigma and the fear of HIV
Rae-Leigh’s family has farmed for generations. She has continued this family tradition, currently running a small farm in Tilley, Alberta for 15 years. She had “an average Canadian dad”, she says. He was educated, successful, …
On a Friday Outreach
It’s Friday, 1pm, and the Positive Living lunch for our clients is just getting started downstairs, in the drop-in space. It’s pretty crowded today, and I’m waiting for Waylon and Chelsea to finish their conversations …
“HIV is still an issue.” Meet Jennifer, a top supporter and fundraiser for the AIDS Walk
Jennifer has a very personal connection to the AIDS Walk. Her first one was almost 15 years ago, and she walks every year. A few years ago she started a fundraising event at her house. …
Why I Walk
About a year ago I took on the role of Executive Director at HIV Community Link. It has been an exciting year of learning and growth, and I am honoured to have joined a team …
TRANSforming Support Services
The marginalizing of people who self-identify as transgender and in sex work is dangerously compounded by the societal stigma attached to sex workers — putting people at an even greater risk of violence. Shift is committed to pushing back and here for support and advocacy.
2 Months or a Year – HCV Treatment Improvements
New direct-acting Antivirals are changing chronic Hepatitis C treatment for the better. Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment has gone from a once exhausting 48 weeks duration to as a little as 8 weeks with a 95% sustained virologic response (SVR). SVR is defined as a viremia (the presence of viruses in the blood) 24 weeks after completion of antiviral therapy for chronic HCV infection (. In analyses of SVR durability, the incidence of late relapse is extremely low, less than 1%.