MAX Blog
Quick look at SMASH 2021
This year, MAX Ottawa had the pleasure of attending the SMASH (Sommet Montréalais d’Action pour la Santé des Hommes ayant des relations sexuelles ou amoureuses avec d’autres hommes) in its 2021 online edition, organized by RÉZO. After the 2020 edition, full of critical information, this year, SMASH is back (March 18-19) with a varied program…
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Peer Support: A way to connect.
Being a newcomer and finding community and resources can be difficult, especially coming from a country that is not queer-friendly. It is for this reason that I am thankful to MAX, as I have found every space created and run by MAX to be warm, inviting and caring. The peer support program at MAX is…
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Neg-otiating poz spaces: Four mistakes we don’t have to make
What do you think — is PnP a poz space? The party scene never belonged exclusively to HIV-positive guys (and nor do all such guys party), but it’s not wrong to say that PnP is uniquely poz-friendly. For a long time, chemsex was radically more welcoming than nearly all other social or sexual spaces for queer…
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Peer Support: Why I’m here to listen
My name is Matt (he/him) and I first became involved with MAX as a Peer Support volunteer in the summer of 2020. I was very excited to see the notice that MAX was searching for Peer Support volunteers, as I had been searching for an opportunity like this since moving to Ottawa. Peer Support was…
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Updates from Acting Executive Director
Greetings, While I understand that these are unprecedented times, I sincerely hope you are staying safe, connected and finding support in ways that are meaningful. From isolation and stress to financial insecurity, the pandemic has certainly affected all of us in a number of ways. I’ve seen the numbers and it is assured that the…
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Giving Back with MAX
Supporting health and wellness for guys into guys As the pandemic rages on, affecting every part of our society, one thing remains steadily true: the queer community continues to be one of the hardest hit. Due to COVID-19, queer people face more challenges with employment security, financial security, and physical and mental health. Impact of…
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Category is…Rapid Test Realness
Wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, and social distancing aren’t the only ways you can take charge of your health. For the GBTQ2 community, COVID-19 hits close to home, reminiscent of the spread of HIV almost forty years ago. It was a shapeless power that stigmatized an entire community. In the first five years, the…
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Stronger Together
New health services during COVID-19 We recognize the need for increased access to MAX’s community programming, particularly for vulnerable segments of GBT2Q guys into guys during the pandemic. Over the past few months, MAX Ottawa has launched new programs and services to address community mental health, harm reduction support, and healthcare access for older adults…
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Pride 2020/Fierte 2020
MAX’s Staff and volunteers share what Pride 2020 means to them! Le personnel et les bénévoles de MAX partagent ce que la Fierté 2020 signifie pour eux ! Mat Adams shared… Pride 2020 has been an opportunity to reflect on how we are able to connect even though we are apart. We developed fun and…
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Reopening Plan and Employment Opportunities
MAX’s Reopening Plan and Employment Opportunities While many of you are enjoying relaxed self-isolation restrictions, we at MAX Ottawa have been getting cozy in our new home! We’re neighbouring up with The Ten Oaks Project and Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC) at 400 Cooper Street. We’re looking forward to hosting community events and our full…
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