HOW ACT MAKES A DIFFERENCE: MARK'S STORY

Mark tested positive for HIV in 2003, at the age of 25. He joined one of ACT’s support groups for the newly diagnosed. "It helped me talk about the issues I was facing with others in the same situation: isolation, homophobia, racism, HIV stigma, fear... I didn’t feel alone anymore." Mark also started attending PYO (Positive Youth Outreach), a program of ACT for HIV-positive youth under the age of 30. "When I walked into PYO, I felt safe immediately. It helped me find myself again."

In 2005, Mark faced his fears anew with another HIV-related diagnosis. "I completely shut down inside. I wasn’t even 30 and I was faced with the prospect of AIDS and cancer. I was fearful, reckless and was trying to escape my feelings." Mark sought counselling at ACT and learned a few things about harm reduction.

Last year, Mark participated in GPS (Gay Poz Sex), a new prevention initiative for people who are HIV-positive of ACT in collaboration with Ryerson University. "GPS allowed me to reassert my sexual needs and desires while also helping me confirm my goal of protecting those I have sex with. I can have a clear conscience knowing I’m protecting myself, making informed choices, and giving my partners the ability to do the same."

Mark also joined a long-term survivors’ group. “I found greater strength by being in a group of people with similar experiences and learned from those with more experience than myself. Coming from a generation that was ‘supposed to know better’, I’ve learned to better cope with the guilt I feel for even being positive. It’s a virus and that’s how nature works, humans get viruses. That’s why the work ACT does, in prevention and in support services, is so very important.”

"Before I became positive, ACT helped me through its prevention work. One slip changed my life forever and ACT has been one of my greatest supports in facing and overcoming my fears."