HIV Edmonton

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Getting lucky? Stay safe while you celebrate 💚

Use a condom & get tested, because looking after your health is always in style.
Free condoms & STBBI testing available at the Red Ribbon Building (during office hours):
Mondays: 9 AM – 12 PM | 2:30 – 4 PM
Wednesdays: 9 AM–12 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays: By appointment only!

.anderson
・・・
This weekend was a powerful reminder of the strength that exists within our community.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Positive Light Gala — an evening that honoured advocacy, care, and the ongoing work to support people living with HIV and to reduce stigma through education and community action.

Today, I joined a thoughtful International Women’s Day Dinner and Discussion hosted by the . The conversation centred on workers rights, humanitarian crisis, and collective power of women working to advance equity and opportunity in our communities.

One especially meaningful moment was receiving a small package of locally harvested seeds from a community gardener who was also attending the event. It felt like a beautiful symbol of the day — planting seeds for the future, nurturing growth, and investing in the well-being of the next generation.

Being present at community events like these matters deeply to me. It is part of my commitment to listening, learning, and showing up for the people and organizations who strengthen the social fabric of our communities.

Public education sits at the heart of that fabric. Strong public schools help build healthier communities, foster understanding, and equip young people with the knowledge and empathy needed to sustain a vibrant democracy.

Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and advocates who continue to create spaces for connection, learning, and care.

Today being is a powerful reminder that in many cases, stigma still carries more legal weight than science.

Across Canada, people living with HIV continue to face criminalization under laws that fail to reflect decades of medical advancement. We now know that effective treatment prevents transmission (U=U), yet outdated legal frameworks persist.

These laws do not prevent HIV. Instead, they fuel fear, discourage testing, undermine public health efforts, and disproportionately impact Indigenous, Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. While people living with HIV wait for meaningful law reform, many live under the ongoing threat of prosecution simply because of their health status.

HIV IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, NOT A CRIME.

Our community partner, , continues to lead critical advocacy efforts pushing for evidence-based legal reform and the decriminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada.

Learn more and read the latest media releases here:
https://www.hivcriminalization.ca/media-releases/

It’s time to bring our laws into the 21st century. Science over stigma. JUSTICE OVER FEAR.

***an *xual ***r

Please Note: HIV Edmonton will be closed on Monday, February 16 for the Family Day Holiday.

Activities are expected to resume on Tuesday the 17th of February.

We wish you all a safe and wonderful long weekend.

Health Link: 811
Support services: 211
Emergency: 911

February 7 marks African, Caribbean & Black (ACB) HIV Awareness Day. A time to raise awareness about HIV education, prevention, and the impact of stigma within ACB communities. This day is an opportunity to spark meaningful conversations, uplift community voices, and stand together against HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

To keep these conversations going, join us today for our Paint & Create event in honour of ACB HIV Awareness Day from 11:00 AM – 1PM at 9538 107 Avenue NW, Edmonton.

We’re proud to host this event in partnership with Ribbon Rouge Foundation and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African, and Caribbean Network (CHABAC) .

Let’s unite, support one another and continue the conversations around HIV awareness and empower ACB communities not just today, but every day through education, advocacy, and collective action.

Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

A Taste For Life is back, and it’s bringing the good vibes with it.

On Wednesday, April 15, Edmontonians will be dining out with purpose, filling local restaurants and supporting an incredible cause at the same time. It’s one night, one delicious mission, and a whole lot of community love.

In the past, diners filled up some of Edmonton’s favourites:

This year, we’re turning up the flavor even more, and your restaurant could be part of it!

The idea is simple (and tasty): restaurants partner with HIV Edmonton, welcome generous diners, gain great exposure, and help support food security programs right here in our community. Good food, good people, great impact.

And for diners, stay tuned!!! We’ll be spotlighting our amazing restaurant partners soon, including their must-try signature dishes. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this.

Ready to be part of something deliciously meaningful? Kindly send us a direct message on our social media platforms or send an email to [email protected]. Let’s make April 15 a night full of flavour, fun, and giving back.