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But We Can Stop It.

TAKE ACTION AND BREAK HIV stigma in your community and across Canada.

We are excited to announce the 3 projects selected as our 2024 positive action grant recipients.

1 in 5 people living with HIV are denied health services because of stigma and discrimination

Stigma

let's erase stigma

9,090 Canadians live with HIV and don’t know it

Testing

let's reach the undiagnosed

10,340 people diagnosed with HIV aren’t in treatment

Care

let's simplify linkages
to care

Get immersed. Take action...

Our stories: powerful experiences that refocus the lens on how we all see and think about HIV

“I searched for meaning in his words as panic closed my throat.”

“I searched for meaning in his words as panic closed my throat.”

“I searched for meaning in his words as panic closed my throat.”

“I searched for meaning in his words as panic closed my throat.”

"Though it can be seen as a life sentence, you remain free."

"Though it can be seen as a life sentence, you remain free."

"Though it can be seen as a life sentence, you remain free."

"Though it can be seen as a life sentence, you remain free."

"Education is the most powerful tool we have..."

"Education is the most powerful tool we have..."

"Education is the most powerful tool we have..."

"Education is the most powerful tool we have..."

“Culture is within me. Culture is me. I am Culture.”

“Culture is within me. Culture is me. I am Culture.”

“Culture is within me. Culture is me. I am Culture.”

“Culture is within me. Culture is me. I am Culture.”

"Saved in the nick of time!"

"Saved in the nick of time!"

"Saved in the nick of time!"

"Saved in the nick of time!"

"Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be loved cannot be extinguished."

"Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be loved cannot be extinguished."

"Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be loved cannot be extinguished."

"Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be loved cannot be extinguished."

"I found myself telling my story...It made me feel safe with my own people."

"I found myself telling my story...It made me feel safe with my own people."

"I found myself telling my story...It made me feel safe with my own people."

"I found myself telling my story...It made me feel safe with my own people."

"I clicked in to what has value and what has meaning in life….”

"I clicked in to what has value and what has meaning in life….”

"I clicked in to what has value and what has meaning in life….”

"I clicked in to what has value and what has meaning in life….”

"It’s about more than allyship, it’s about co-conspiring."

"It’s about more than allyship, it’s about co-conspiring."

"It’s about more than allyship, it’s about co-conspiring."

"It’s about more than allyship, it’s about co-conspiring."

"…It was these awakenings that began to feed my spirit."

"…It was these awakenings that began to feed my spirit."

"…It was these awakenings that began to feed my spirit."

"…It was these awakenings that began to feed my spirit."

"I was diagnosed on March 13, 2016—my world fell apart on that day."

"I was diagnosed on March 13, 2016—my world fell apart on that day."

"I was diagnosed on March 13, 2016—my world fell apart on that day."

"I was diagnosed on March 13, 2016—my world fell apart on that day."

“My wish is for a world without fear…”

“My wish is for a world without fear…”

“My wish is for a world without fear…”

“My wish is for a world without fear…”

view all stories

Listen, read, learn.
And share.

Shaun Proulx: Get tested, f#@k stigma and meditate!

Getting up front and personal on issues that matter to the HIV community through candid conversations about health, work, life and love.

HIV Criminalization Reform in Canada: Speak Up, Be Heard, Trigger Change!

All the news, views, ideas and actions from people, communities and organizations working to end Canada's HIV epidemic.

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What's your story?

Your story matters and sharing it can be a powerful way to help others. It can also be a good way to get something off your chest.

We're a facts-based, lived experience movement powered by people living with HIV and the people and communities that support them.

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With respect, The Positive Effect gratefully acknowledges that in our collaborations across Canada we work in many of the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. Our central offices inside Toronto's St. Michaels Hospital stands on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. We strive for respectful partnerships with Indigenous peoples as we search for collective healing and true reconciliation.