MAX Blog

MAX Blog
Mikey Artelle's Blog Post Banner "Finding Pride Through Art"

Finding Pride Through Art

By Khaled / June 4, 2020

Hi, my name is Mikey (he/him). For the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with MAX Ottawa. I’ve always been interested in exploring creative art projects since childhood. As such, I have taught myself  a variety of arts and crafts that includes being a trained 2D animator, a published comic book…

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Dasa and Jason are members of the organizing community for Dragonfruit Collective, based in Ottawa, Canada. Dragonfruit aims to showcase Queer Asian performers, movies, and artists, and as well as to provide an inclusive and safer space for LGBTQ+ folks in the Asian community to mingle and have fun. Contact: dragonfruitevent@gmail.com Instagram: @dragxncollective

The (In)existence of LGBT Asian Spaces

By Khaled / May 23, 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many have returned home to self-isolate with their loved ones and families to prevent further spread of the virus. Home to many of us is where we feel safe and loved, but to LGBT+ folks, and especially those who are B/I/PoC, the feeling of an accepting and caring home may be…

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Blog post banner: Building Community, One Dice at a Time written by Martin Lee, he/him, about his community maximizer project Dungeons and Daddies.

Daddies and Dragons!

By Khaled / May 6, 2020

Building Community…One Dice at a Time! As a young queer man, I spent a large portion of my time surrounded by straight friends in high school. One of the activities I remember fondly was playing dungeons and dragons (D&D), but it was never something that the other gay guy in school wanted to do. I…

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2SLGBTQ Community Consultation blog piece

2SLGBTQ+ Public Consultation Held in Ottawa

By Khaled / January 15, 2020

Over 150 individuals attend the first of its kind event in over 20 years Wisdom2Action, in partnership with seven Ottawa 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and the City of Ottawa, held a public consultation at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, January 13th. The event was open to all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, representatives of 2SLGBTQ+ health and…

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My journey with MAX Ottawa

My Journey with MAX Ottawa

By Khaled / December 11, 2019

Hello, I’m David Ley and I use he/him pronouns. I am originally from Montreal and currently live in Ottawa. Since the age of 16, I have volunteered at various ASO’s (AIDS Service Organizations) and LGBTQ+ organizations with a harm reduction focus. I presently share my lived experience and knowledge of PNP to MAX’s safer party…

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Black background with colourful lettering for BCE.

Black Queer Excellence

By Khaled / December 5, 2019

On December 3, 2019, MAX Ottawa, The Aids of Committee of Ottawa, and Somerset West Community Health Centre hosted ‘Black Queer Excellence.’ This BQE party was for all Black, African, Caribbean, Afro-Indigenous, Afro-Latinx, and other members of the African Diaspora 2SLGBTQ+ community members and allies. The 27 Club graciously hosted us as we centred Black…

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Packing Party for harm reduction supplies.

Harm Reduction Supply Packing Party

By Khaled / November 29, 2019

So far in 2019, MAX Ottawa has distributed 13,584 harm reduction supplies! How do we keep up? With the help of volunteers and community members such as yourself!  Harm Reduction Supply Packing Party On November 28, 2019, we hosted a harm reduction packing party. Fourteen people attended along with MAX’s staff Mohamad, Josh, and Robert.…

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Navigating ODSP as a guy into guys

Navigating ODSP as a guy into guys

By Khaled / November 6, 2019

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): a safety net for many guys into guys Everybody deserves a safety net. However, the world of social services and government support for those of us who are struggling can be difficult to navigate at times. On October 9th, MAX organized a workshop, in collaboration with Centre 454 and Bruce House on navigating…

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Max logo placed over a stack of newspapers

Letter to the Editor

By Khaled / August 20, 2019

Re: My Coming Out Story – 40 Years in the Making, Ottawa Citizen editorial, Mayor Jim WatsonAugust 17, 2019 Dear Editor, We read with interest and recognition Mayor Watson’s moving testimony on his personal journey a gay man. Coming out as a guy who is into guys, even today with all ‎the legal recognition and social advances,…

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5 things I've learned about GBT2Q+ Men's Health

5 Things I've Learned About GBT2Q+ Men's Health

By Khaled / June 4, 2019

My volunteer placement with MAX Ottawa has come to a close – time flies! From January 10th to April 26th, I had the pleasure of working with MAX as an event volunteer and workshop facilitator with Totally Outright. Volunteering with MAX has provided an amazing opportunity to learn about the health of GBT2Q+ men, or…

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