Community-Based Research Centre ‒ together with YouthCO and the BC GbMSM Network ‒ hosted the panel “Pride: Sex in This Pandemic” on Friday, July 31st, 2020, with the support of ViiV Healthcare. The event served as a sexual health update, providing information on the Provincial PrEP Program, testing and HIV treatment in BC for queer and trans communities.
The panel ‒ hosted by none other than Vancouver’s premiere drag artist, Kendall Gender ‒ featured Dr. Mark Hull (University of British Columbia), Darren Ho (CBRC) and Adrian Bustamante (YouthCO) as panelists.
Gay, bisexual, queer, and trans men, as well as non-binary and Two-Spirit people (GBT2Q) were already experiencing multiple epidemics before COVID-19 brought the world to its knees. Through our panel of sexperts, we answered:
- How are GBT2Q people experiencing the pandemic differently than others?
- What’s the deal with the provincial PrEP program? Is it having an impact?
- What are some of the innovations we are seeing in testing and treatment?
- What are some areas where we can improve access and adherence for the community?
PARTICIPANTS:
Kendall Gender (she/her/hers)
A performer, host, model and LGBTQ2+ activist, Kendall Gender is a Canadian drag sensation from Vancouver who has performed coast-to-coast since 2014. Being the queer ambassador for Fairmont Hotels, a member of infamous drag group ‘BRATPACK’ and a past winner of elite drag competition “Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar” in 2017, Kendall is known for her explosive and high-energy performances.
Dr. Mark Hull (he/him/his)
Dr. Hull is a research scientist at the AIDS Research program at the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the AIDS Division in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He is also a staff physician at St. Paul’s Hospital, and a physician at various clinics with Vancouver Coastal Health.
Darren Ho (he/him/his)
Darren is the British Columbia Regional Manager at CBRC. His role is to ensure that resources for GBT2Q guys are equitable across all of British Columbia. His focus is on knowledge translation and capacity building in ways that allow GBT2Q guys to self-advocate for their health, and within their own communities.
Adrian Bustamante (they/them/theirs, he/him/his)
Adrian is a first-generation Canadian from Chile and the Program Coordinator for Mpowerment YVR at YouthCO. As a queer person of colour, they strive to better the queer and trans communities within the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh Territories through community-building programming and empowering fellow youth on their journeys.
