Have you changed your email address? Do you feel like you’ve not heard from the PLDI in a while? We’re working to update our PLDI database to ensure that our mailing list is accurate. If you didn’t receive an email about the last PLDI check-in session or haven’t received other updates about PLDI, please contact Tara at Tjewal@oan.red.

The disruption to essential health and support services, coupled with new mental health and financial pressures, places more burden on our already marginalized LGBTQ2+ communities. The uncertainties of how this pandemic will unfold require action now to help queer and trans communities stay resilient. Since the onset of COVID-19, community organizations have been working hard to shift services and supports online. But government leadership is needed to mobilize new tools for adapting to the pandemic. Now is the time for governments at all levels to strengthen the COVID-19 response among LGBTQ2+ Canadians. In response to this, the CBRC has launched

The Gilbert Centre is working on an initiative to not only provide stylish face masks to folx but to also show PRIDE in, and raise awareness of, the U=U message and movement. Mask are available in every colour of the spectrum and can be customized to include your agency’s logo. Masks are available in small, medium, large and x-large. For more information and/or to place an order, please contact Randy Davis at randyd@gilbertcentre.ca

Larry Kramer, the man who is inarguably one of the founders of the North American HIV movement, died on Wednesday, May 5th. While many were challenged by his approach and his never surrender attitude, he leaves an indelible mark on our movement. He undoubtedly had a big mouth and a loud voice, a voice that he used to fight the deafening silence of government, pharma and policy makers at the height of the AIDS epidemic. His loud voice spoke for others who were silenced and he told the truth on our behalf. Larry was also one of the founders of

This week the OAN and its Members called on the Province of Ontario to extend the pandemic pay program to cover staff in AIDS service organizations (ASO) who deliver essential front-line harm reduction services. All through this pandemic ASO staff have worked on the frontlines to prevent overdoses, help people reduce the harms associated with substance use and connect those at risk to COVID-19 related supports. We believe that harm reduction workers’ exclusion and ineligibility is arbitrary and deeply inequitable. We thank these workers for their contributions and commitment to the health of some of the most vulnerable people in

Are you interested in supporting work with Ontario’s African, Caribbean and Black communities and supporting Black-focused and Black-led organizations? Please consider a donation to any of these important initiatives today. To make a donation click any of the following images:

The Alliance for Healthier Communities has called on their allies to make commitments to addressing the many iterations of white supremacy and anti-Black racism by standing in solidarity with Black people, committing to interrupting cycles of violence and refusing to make this an issue only Black people care about. This is everyone’s business. The Alliance stands with Black people everywhere in calling for faster action to meaningfully confront white supremacy and address anti-Black racism through the declaration of anti-Black racism as a public health crisis and an enhanced accountability infrastructure to address police brutality, police violence and harms to Black

Join MOYO Health and Community Services and Black CAP for EBONY PRIDE 2020. EBONY PRIDE is an African, Caribbean, and Black LGBTQ+ Chosen Family Celebration, and their theme for this event is Uniting Community. The event will celebrate and foster a spirit of inclusion and love by uniting the community and its allies and features DJ Chanl Marshl (@chanlmarshl). They will have Drag King and Queen performers, community speakers, lots of prizes and giveaways!! Tune into the Zoom & Facebook livestream of the event on July 4th at 1:00 PM. To find out more, follow MOYO and Black CAP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Trans PULSE Canada is a community-based survey of the health and well-being of trans and non-binary people in Canada. The first Trans PULSE Canada National Report was released a few months ago and highlights health and access to health care among trans and non-binary people nationally and across provinces/territories. The report can be downloaded from their website in French or English. Go here to read it.  The Trans PULSE Canada & Trans Youth CAN! Project is also accepting applications for a postdoc in trans health research. The postdoc is between one and three years with a flexible start date. More info here. Also,

MOYO is conducting the Queer Women’s Needs Assessment to address the divide between service providers, queer women, and the Peel Region. This community needs assessment is for individuals who self-identify being queer and a woman. MOYO is reaching out to queer women who live in Peel Region, used to live in Peel Region (5 years max.), or have an attachment to Peel Region (ex., you spend the majority of your time in Peel (working, shopping, etc.) but live outside Peel). MOYO will use the results to create more programs, workshops, and apply for funding to deliver more services directed towards Queer Women