Ottawa’s Magnet Party Is A Continued Success!

Tackling the misconception that being HIV+ means not having a future, the Magnet Party passed out fortune cookies, employed a palm reader, and hosted a table of petitions and campaign materials about making our future as positive gay men a brighter, less discriminator one.  

Despite the rain, ACO’s second quarter annual party for pos guys and the guys who love them pulled out a respectable amount of people thanks to strong word of mouth and a real need on the part of HIV+ guys to connect with others free of stigma and discrimination. It’s the day after, and people have been writing to me to share their thanks for the AIDS Committee of Ottawa hosting this event, and their thoughts about HIV.

“I noticed that you had posted an event at Swizzles for Poz guys”, wrote one fellow, “and I have lately been thinking that I have isolated myself too much over the past 8 years. I think it is time to do something before it is too late.” Another gentleman named George wrote to me saying "[I’m] negative myself. I met my first positive [guy on a] date and didn't handle it well…. I'd proudly introduce a positive man as my boyfriend [now]. I'm a scientist. I know the risks are negligible with safe sex.”

Thanks to everyone who made it out, and an extra special thanks to our celebrity DJ, Xpress/Voir Editor Guillaume Moffett, to the staff of Swizzles Bar, and to our special musical guest Jeremy Merrick! The next Magnet Party in Ottawa is slated to happen in March and even bigger surprises are in store! Check positivelite.com to keep up to date, or join the AIDS Committee of Ottawa’s Facebook page for the latest news!