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Vancouver AIDS Society | |
Founded | Early in 1983 |
---|---|
Founders | Gordon Price Noah Stewart Dr. Mike Maynard Daryl Nelson Ron Alexander Slater |
Type | Charity (Society Act of BC) [1] August 4, 1983 |
Focus | HIV/AIDS |
Headquarters | 401-1101 Seymour Street Vancouver, BC V6B 0R1 |
Area served | Lower Mainland |
Services | Support, counselling, resource centre, outreach, grocery program, and advocacy. |
Members | 12 members with 4 positions reserved for HIV+ individuals |
Executive Director | Sarah Chown |
Revenue | $2,427,267 (2023) [2] |
Employees | Full-time 4, Part-time 27 |
Volunteers | 200 [3] |
Website | aidsvancouver.org |
AIDS Vancouver, founded in early 1983, is recognized as one of the first community-based non-profit AIDS organizations in Canada, responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Vancouver area. Led by co-founders Gordon Price, Noah Stewart, Dr. Mike Maynard, Daryl Nelson, and Ron Alexander Slater, the organization has aimed to provide support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. With a focus on grassroots efforts and community mobilization, AIDS Vancouver has been involved in efforts to address the spread of HIV and support individuals living with the virus. [4]
In the early 1980s, as reports from the New York Native about a deadly disease circulating within gay communities across the United States spread, concerns heightened in Vancouver.
In mid-1982, four doctors, Dr. Brian Willoughby, Dr. Bruce Douglas, Dr. Peter Constance, and Dr. Michael Maynard, who regularly treated gay patients in their medical practices, convened for lunch. The conversation turned to the observation of swollen lymph glands and other unusual symptoms in their patients. This meeting marked the inception of the Vancouver Lymphadenopathy - AIDS study. [5] [6]
In November 1982, Gordon Price hosted a small dinner party in Vancouver's West End, attended by Noah Stewart, Dr. Mike Maynard, Ron Alexander Slater, and a close friend. During the gathering, Ron shared an article from The Village Voice discussing Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID), often referred to as "gay cancer," sparking a discussion about its potential impact on Vancouver's gay community. [7] [8]
This conversation led to the group's recognition of the need for local action in response to the emerging AIDS cases. They began reaching out to others in their social circles, understanding the urgency of the situation. This effort marked the beginning stages of what would later evolve into AIDS Vancouver, as concerned individuals mobilized to address the growing crisis. [9]
With much about AIDS still unknown, including its transmission, the epidemic cast a foreboding shadow, cloaked in uncertainty. Taking cues from the efforts in New York City, Gordon Price and co-founders Noah Stewart, Dr. Mike Maynard, Daryl Nelson, and Ron Alexander Slate, the man who started it all, took decisive action. They founded AIDS Vancouver in early 1983, one of Canada's first AIDS service organizations, with a mission to offer support to those impacted by the virus. [10]
AIDS Vancouver officially incorporated as the Vancouver AIDS Society under the Society Act of BC on August 4, 1983. This formalized its status as a nonprofit organization and provided a legal framework for its activities. [1]
Initially, the organization operated from the founders' homes, hosting monthly public meetings at the Lotus Hotel. AIDS Vancouver moved to a Davie Street location in 1983. [11]
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Gordon Price sought assistance from Paul Popham, a co-founder of the Gay Men's Health Crisis organization in New York City. [12] Paul promptly traveled to Vancouver to offer his expertise, leading to the first AIDS Information Forum convened by AIDS Vancouver on March 12, 1983, at the Westend Community Centre. This gathering united various speakers to address critical issues related to the epidemic, including contributions from Dr. Maynard and Dr. Willoughby. [13] The presentations, notably Paul Popham's, were filmed by GaybleVision, capturing invaluable insights and marking a significant milestone in AIDS Vancouver's early efforts. [14] [15]
In April 1983, amidst the growing crisis, AIDS Vancouver intensified its efforts to disseminate crucial information. During this period, an article in the Vancouver Sun reported two deaths and seven cases of the disease. Ron Alexander, a founding member of AIDS Vancouver, emphasized the urgency of the situation, asking, "How many more have to die before somebody does something about it?" [16]
In October 1985, four cherry trees were planted near Stanley Park in memory of James, Ivo, Gino, and Randy, who succumbed to AIDS. Named "Our Cherry Grove" within the gay community, it served as a poignant tribute. To shield the trees from potential vandalism fuelled by AIDS/HIV stigma, an AIDS Vancouver spokesperson kept the location undisclosed. [17]
In response to the emerging AIDS crisis and the urgent need for public awareness, GaybleVision, a community television program, aired a pioneering broadcast on August 22, 1983. This initiative provided early insights into the virus, including transmission methods and parallels with Hepatitis B. Experts like Dr. R.G. Mathias, an epidemiologist at BC Community Health Services, Dr. Michael Maynard, and Noah Stewart, co-founders of AIDS Vancouver, discussed the virus and the formation of AIDS Vancouver. This marked a crucial step in early AIDS education, offering valuable information during a time of limited awareness. [18]
In response to the escalating HIV/AIDS crisis, AIDS Vancouver initiated various initiatives aimed at public health promotion and expansion of support services.
In 1984, Dr. John Blatherwick was appointed Medical Health Officer for Vancouver. He played a key role in coordinating services and disseminating vital information about AIDS, effectively communicating with the media, voicing authoritative opinions on health issues that often appeared on the front pages of newspapers. [19] [20]
Alan Herbert, a board member at AIDS Vancouver, played a crucial role from 1983 to 1987 in securing municipal support from the City of Vancouver. In 1987, the city provided AIDS Vancouver with an initial funding of $50,000. This financial assistance enabled the organization to establish an office and hire staff, including Michael Welsh and Elaine Smith, who developed Canada's first support programs for AIDS. Bob Tibby was also appointed as an executive coordinator to bolster support initiatives. These efforts were undertaken amidst pervasive fear and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, as case numbers surged to epidemic levels. Subsequently, AIDS Vancouver relocated its office in 1988. [21] [22]
In December 1988, AIDS Vancouver collaborated with the Canadian AIDS Society and other organizations to publish the first safe sex guidelines for Canada. Titled 'Safer Sex Guidelines: A Resource Document for Educators and Counsellors,' this publication provided essential information and guidance to educators, counselors, and the general public, contributing significantly to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts nationwide. [23]
Furthermore, in September 2003, Vancouver launched North America's first Supervised Injection Site, Insite, as part of its comprehensive Four Pillars Drug Strategy. This strategy, combining harm reduction measures with treatment, enforcement, and prevention efforts, aimed to address the endemic HIV and hepatitis C among injection drug users in the city's Downtown Eastside neighborhood. AIDS Vancouver, alongside other community organizations, actively supported these harm reduction initiatives, recognizing their importance in curbing the spread of infectious diseases. [24] [25] [26]
AIDS Vancouver operates with the assistance of 31 paid staff and approximately 200 dedicated volunteers. The organization delivers essential support programs and services, including a helpline, case management, a resource center, and a grocery program. [27] [3] It is primarily funded by federal and provincial sources, alongside contributions from donors, engaging in fund development activities to sustain its operations. Key contributors include governmental bodies like the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as the BC Gaming Commission. [28] [29]
AIDS Vancouver participates in events such as World AIDS Day and has previously been involved in activities like the AIDS Walk for Life and the We Care Red Ribbon Campaign. Additionally, AIDS Vancouver hosts the Holiday Grocery event annually in December, providing groceries to support the community during the holiday season. Canadian artist Bif Nakedd allocated proceeds from her latest single to support AIDS Vancouver, contributing to the organization's efforts to provide assistance to individuals living with AIDS in the community. [30]
The AIDS Quilt, organized by local volunteers, was displayed at the Vancouver Art Gallery from July 13 to 16, 1989. This exhibit featured the U.S. Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. [31] This event represented a significant moment in acknowledging those impacted by AIDS in Vancouver. [32]
The 1990 Gay Games took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, from August 4 to 11, 1990. Approximately 7,300 athletes participated in 27 sports, with an additional 1,500 cultural participants. The opening and closing ceremonies were hosted at BC Place Stadium. This was the first games to be held outside the United States and the first in which Masters world records, with two set in swimming. These Games aimed to raise awareness about AIDS and promote inclusivity. [33] [34] [35] [36]
Notably, Mark Mees, the Executive Director of the Vancouver Gay Games III, later became the Executive Director at AIDS Vancouver from March 1991 to January 1994. [37] [38]
The Positive Women's Network (PWN) emerged in 1991 amidst a shortfall in HIV/AIDS research and services, particularly concerning women's needs. Originating from AIDS Vancouver, the organization was founded out of a pressing recognition of the imperative to support women living with HIV/AIDS. [39]
The XI International AIDS Conference, held in Vancouver from July 7–12, 1996, under the theme "One World One Hope," introduced pivotal advancements in HIV/AIDS management. Canadian epidemiologist Martin Schechter, among others, served as co-chairs. The conference highlighted innovations such as HIV viral load measurement technology and combination therapy with protease inhibitors, revolutionizing HIV/AIDS management. [40] [41]
The 8th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment & Prevention, held in Vancouver from July 19–22, 2015, emphasized initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) early for improved health outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). It also addressed the feasibility of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among key populations and advancements in HIV cure research. Additionally, the conference highlighted the growing challenges of HIV and hepatitis co-infection and efforts to address them. [42] [43] [44]
AIDS Vancouver's Education Workshops and HIV Prevention & Awareness Programs, funded by the Mac AIDS Fund, empower participants to lead discussions on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, while providing trusted materials. These initiatives focus on community education, stigma reduction, and the provision of customized prevention strategies through collaboration with various organizations, aiming to foster a conducive and engaging learning environment. [45]
AIDS Vancouver provides essential programs and services to individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS, focusing on client support and health promotion. [46]
The AIDS epidemic, caused by HIV, found its way to the United States between the 1970s and 1980s, but was first noticed after doctors discovered clusters of Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia in homosexual men in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco in 1981. Treatment of HIV/AIDS is primarily via the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs, and education programs to help people avoid infection.
Gaëtan Dugas was a Québécois Canadian flight attendant whose role in the early years of the AIDS epidemic attracted considerable attention. Initially identified as a central figure labeled "Patient Zero" Dugas faced allegations of being a primary source of HIV transmission to the United States. This narrative, popularized notably by Randy Shilts' 1987 book And the Band Played On, has been refuted through subsequent scientific scrutiny and historical re-evaluation. Dugas' story highlights the perils of misinformation and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Despite facing criticism in popular discourse, subsequent studies have provided a more nuanced understanding of Dugas' impact on the epidemic, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and empathy in public health narratives.
The GMHC is a New York City–based non-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based AIDS service organization whose mission statement is to "end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected." Founded in 1982, it is often billed as the "world's oldest AIDS service organization," as well as the "nation's oldest HIV/AIDS service organization."
The XV International AIDS Conference was held in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, from July 11 to July 16, 2004. The main venue for the conference was the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani convention centre at Nonthaburi, north-east of downtown Bangkok. It was the first international AIDS conference to be held in Southeast Asia. International AIDS conferences have been held regularly since the first one in Atlanta in 1985.
The United States President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a United States governmental initiative to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and help save the lives of those suffering from the disease. Launched by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2003, as of May 2020, PEPFAR has provided about $90 billion in cumulative funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and research since its inception, making it the largest global health program focused on a single disease in history until the COVID-19 pandemic. PEPFAR is implemented by a combination of U.S. government agencies in over 50 countries and overseen by the Global AIDS Coordinator at the United States Department of State. As of 2023, PEPFAR has saved over 25 million lives, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world's largest association of HIV/AIDS professionals, with 11,600 members from over 170 countries as of July 2020, including clinicians, people living with HIV, service providers, policy makers and others. It aims to reduce the global impact of AIDS through collective advocacy. Founded in 1988, IAS headquarters are located in Geneva, and its president since August 2022 is Sharon Lewin.
AIDS service organizations are community-based organizations that provide support for people affected by HIV/AIDS. This article focuses on HIV/AIDS service organizations in the United States only. However, it is important to note that similar organizations in other countries, such as Canada, also played significant roles during the HIV/AIDS crisis and share many common experiences and challenges.
The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) is the only national charitable foundation that raises awareness to generate funds for research into all aspects of HIV infection and AIDS. Since inception in 1987, CANFAR has invested more than $26 million in research initiatives across Canada, and supported close to 575 distinct research initiatives. CANFAR is funded solely through the generosity of corporations, groups, and individuals across Canada.
Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee (AAC) of Massachusetts is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS. Based in Boston, it is New England's oldest and largest AIDS service organization. Since 2013, it has been operating as part of Fenway Health. It provides free, confidential services to more than 3,500 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention services to many thousands of men, women and youth who are not living with HIV or do not know their status.
The history of HIV/AIDS in Australia is distinctive, as Australian government bodies recognised and responded to the AIDS pandemic relatively swiftly, with the implementation of effective disease prevention and public health programs, such as needle and syringe programs (NSPs). As a result, despite significant numbers of at-risk group members contracting the virus in the early period following its discovery, Australia achieved and has maintained a low rate of HIV infection in comparison to the rest of the world.
Alan Herbert was a Canadian politician and activist. He served as a member of the Vancouver City Council from 1996 to 1999, representing the Non-Partisan Association. Herbert was among the first openly gay politicians in Canada, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. Despite encountering challenges and conflicts within the political arena, he remained dedicated to his principles and causes.
HIV/AIDS was first detected in Canada in 1982. In 2018, there were approximately 62,050 people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. It was estimated that 8,300 people were living with undiagnosed HIV in 2018. Mortality has decreased due to medical advances against HIV/AIDS, especially highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
Pernessa C. Seele is an American immunologist and interfaith public health activist. Seele is the CEO and founder of Balm in Gilead, Inc., a religious-based organization that provides support to people with AIDS and their families, as well as working for prevention of HIV and AIDS. In 1989 she initiated the Harlem Week of Prayer, with 50 churches, synagogues and mosques participating. This became an annual event and organizing force for the religious community to respond to the AIDS crisis.
The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is a national charitable organization dedicated to advocating for AIDS Service Organizations across Canada. Established in 1987 amidst the growing HIV/AIDS crisis and an inadequate governmental response, CAS initially began as a grassroots movement and later formalized into a coalition, incorporating in 1988. The decision to relocate to Ottawa was strategic, aiming to enhance engagement with governmental bodies.
Mazzoni Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit health care provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves the LGBT community.
Paul Graham Popham was an American gay rights activist who was a founder of the Gay Men's Health Crisis and served as its president from 1981 until 1985. He also helped found and was chairman of the AIDS Action Council, a lobbying organization in Washington. He was the basis for the character of Bruce Niles in Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, which was one of the first plays to address the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Julio S. G. Montaner, is an Argentine-Canadian physician, professor and researcher. He is the director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the chair in AIDS Research and head of the Division of AIDS in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and the past-president of the International AIDS Society. He is also the director of the John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic, and the Physician Program Director for HIV/AIDS PHC. He is known for his work on HAART, a role in the discovery of triple therapy as an effective treatment for HIV in the late 1990s, and a role in advocating the "Treatment as Prevention" Strategy in the mid-2000s, led by Myron Cohen of the HPTN 052 trial.
New York City was affected by the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s more than any other U.S. city. The AIDS epidemic has been and continues to be highly localized due to a number of complex socio-cultural factors that affect the interaction of the populous communities that inhabit New York.
David Fair is an American activist who has been a leader in the labor, LGBT, AIDS, homeless and child advocacy movements in Philadelphia, PA since the 1970s. He has founded or co-founded several advocacy and service organizations, including the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force (1977), the Philadelphia Gay Cultural Festival (1978), Lavender Health (1979), the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Union of the Homeless (1985), Philly Homes 4 Youth (2017), and the Philadelphia Coalition on Opioids and Children (2018), and led the creation of numerous local government health and human service initiatives, including the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (1987) and the Division of Community-Based Prevention Services (2001), the Parenting Collaborative (2003), and the Quality Parenting Initiative (2014) for the Philadelphia Department of Human Services.
Social and political activism to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, as well as to raise funds for effective treatment and care of people with AIDS (PWAs), has taken place in multiple nations across the world since the 1980s. As a disease that began in marginalized populations, efforts to mobilize funding, treatment, and fight discrimination have largely been dependent on the work of grassroots organizers directly confronting public health organizations as well as politicians, drug companies, and other institutions.
Refer to bottom of page 1 for the original filing date on 1983/08/04 with the Province of British Columbia Registrar of Companies
"Facing the epidemic was the 'ultimate test of our strength'." – Paul Popham
Facing the epidemic was the 'ultimate test of our strength'. – Paul Popham
How many more have to die before somebody does something about it? - Ron Alexander
I fought AIDS (and the provincial government of the day) in the front pages of the newspapers... trying to get the message out.
I got to battle the AIDS epidemic from the front pages of the newspaper, on the evening news, radio and television, and all the talk shows.