Get ready for Embrace 2010 with ASAAP
The Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP) is hosting a landmark event, EMBRACE 2010, to celebrate 20 years as a vital support agency in the South Asian community. On Thursday August 26, 2010, the community will come together to celebrate two decades of supporting the South Asian community on issues around sexual health, safer sex and HIV/AIDS.
Founded in 1989, ASAAP is a community-based, non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing health promotion, support, education and advocacy in a non-discriminatory manner for those who identify as South Asian living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Embrace 2010 will be an evening featuring a stunning fashion show, stand-up comedy, spoken word, speed henna and a Bollywood dance event - followed by an after-party, featuring South Asian music. The emcee for the evening is Angie Seth, news anchor of OMNI Television. Performers for the evening include: Anita Majumdar of “Oy! Just Beat It” fame and Rose Lal of Toronto’s own Lal music ensemble.
“This hallmark event is essentially a tribute to the founders of ASAAP who came together 20 years ago to form an effective community response and work towards reducing barriers around the issue of HIV/AIDS in the South Asian community. The event will also be a great venue for our community to network and have some dialogue around issues such as sexual health and safer sex.”
ASAAP was created out of a community response to a South Asian couple infected with HIV who died in isolation, unable to access appropriate services in their own language. ASAAP currently serves over 90 South Asians living and affected by HIV/AIDS in the GTA. The organization also educates and brings awareness to youth about sexual issues through creative programs to help overcome stigmas and create open dialogue on the subject.
People living with HIV in South Asian community come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles and within the community there are many misconceptions, myths, and stereotypes about HIV and transmission modes. Language barriers, discrimination, cultural taboos related to sexuality and stigma around HIV/AIDS are some of the many factors that increase an individual’s risk. Therefore, it is important to open a dialogue about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. ASAAP offers support in a totally confidential manner and encourages people to get tested for HIV or seek ASAAP’s help if they feel they are at risk.
There are no current statistics on available on South Asian living with HIV. However, ASAAP, a premier grassroots organization, shows an increase of 100% in their client base, and a 15% increase in infections among women in the last two years.
Fundraising from the event will go to support ASAAP’s programs and services and also towards bringing awareness on topics of sexual health that typically not openly discussed in our communities.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: Embrace 2010- Celebrating 20 years of ASAAP!
Where: The Great Hall, 1038 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
When: August 26, 2010, 6pm-2 am
Tickets are $30 and will fund ASAAP projects.
What: Embrace 2010- Celebrating 20 years of ASAAP!
Where: The Great Hall, 1038 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
When: August 26, 2010, 6pm-2 am
Tickets are $30 and will fund ASAAP projects.
This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.
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