Why I Walk

Alisha OstbergBlog, stigma, support, volunteer

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 …

2 Months or a Year – HCV Treatment Improvements

Alisha Ostbergantiretroviral therapy, Blog, harm reduction, stigma, STIs, testing, treatment

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%.

Dating and HIV

Alisha OstbergBlog, Gay Men, living with HIV, stigma

Hopefully we can evolve enough as a society to see HIV positive dating as one more thing in the long list of things a dater must consider, from “what am I going to wear” all the way to “could they be my knight in shining armor” and your knight just may be someone living with HIV.

Shift: International Day to end Violence Against Sex Workers

Alisha OstbergBlog, criminilization, human rights, international, position statements, sex work, stigma, support

December 17th will be the 10th anniversary of The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (lovingly nicknamed Red Umbrella Day).  The red umbrella is a symbol of safety for sex workers and was …

Just when I thought I was over it…. Response to Dallas Buyers Club

Alisha OstbergBlog, Gay Men, Gay Pride, Gay Rights, GIPA, harm reduction, HEAT, human rights, living with HIV, MSM, personal story, position statements, stigma, STIs, support, treatment

It never ceases to amaze me the things that will trigger a response to past experiences, even when we think they have been worked through and thought to be buried and packed away neatly into …