Sense Project

Are you interested in leading sex ed workshops with youth? Do you want to contribute to the Sense Project at Head & Hands? We are currently seeking new volunteer animators for the 2010-11 school year!

Some need-to-know info about applying to be a Sense Project animator:

• New animators must be aged 25 and under
• We’re looking for people who can commit to being an animator for the entire school year (Sept-early Dec, Jan-May)
• Animators should have at least some availability on weekdays during the day. Some evening and weekend availability is appreciated too. Last year’s animators volunteered an average of 65 hours each throughout the school year, but how much you end up volunteering depends on your schedule and your availability.
• Bilingualism is not mandatory, but it’s an asset if you are comfortable animating in French. The working language of the training is English.
• It is also an asset if you have previous animation experience or experience working with youth, but it’s not a requirement.
• It is mandatory to attend the full animator training (see dates below)

Animator training dates:

Tuesday Sept. 7^th 6-9pm

Thursday Sept. 9^th 6-9pm

Saturday Sept. 11^th 11-4pm

Tuesday Sept. 14^th 6-9pm

Thursday Sept. 16^th 6-9pm

Saturday Sept. 18^th 11-4pm

Tuesday Sept. 21^st 6-9pm

Thursday Sept. 23^rd 6-9pm

Saturday Sept. 25^th 11-4pm

If you meet these criteria, please contact Nikki at (514)481-0277 or healthed@headandhands.ca. We’ll then book a short screening interview with selected volunteers! The deadline to apply is Friday, August 13^th. If you have any questions, contact Nikki at (514) 481-0277!

Hi folks! Hope that the holiday season treated you to some mighty delicious food and fun times. For the next few weeks, the Sense Project’s “e-division” will be tackling the topic of homophobia.

As stated in our lovely Peer Education Manual (which can be downloaded from www.senseproject.org), the literal definition of homophobia is the fear or dislike of people who form the LGBTTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and intersex) communities. But, like all things “Sense-y”, the literal definition is just too simplistic as it doesn’t take into consideration the many complicated and complex ways homophobic behaviours are experienced and/or dished-out. This is why it’s so important to talk about homophobia so as to debunk the many myths surrounding homosexuality and ultimately, raise awareness about this very important issue.

So, please share your stories, your links, your images and any other artifacts pertaining to the topic of homophobia. We’ll be posting a variety of myth-busting questions and polls to keep you busy in the meantime.

Cheers!

So, why do we make bad decisions when we’re naked? Well, I don’t think that even the most reputable social and natural scientists in the world would be able to provide a clear answer to this question or be able to agree on one. And, I happen to think that human beings are pretty complex when it comes to their behaviours and practices so the answer to this question might always remain an unsolvable mystery. This means that the only thing we can do is learn about what constitutes risky behaviours and practices that might put us in harms way and of course, educate others.

Throughout the month of November, the Sense Project posted a series of myth busting questions and answers, opinion polls, videos and other related content in the hopes of clarifying certain misconceptions about HIV/AIDS while pointing to prevention strategies. We began by illustrating that HIV/AIDS affects us here, in Canada. After that, we addressed the infamous “mosquito bite” myth, confirming that mosquitoes cannot, in fact, transmit HIV. This was followed by a controversial poll which inquired into the possibility that we live in a post-AIDS world. It was inspired by a very interesting talk I attended given by epidemiologist, journalist and author of The Wisdom of Whores, Elizabeth Pisani. Afterward, issues pertaining to HIV stigma were discussed with the help of provocative videos created by other awesome organizations such as AIDES and COCQ-SIDA. Then, we tackled particular sexual acts such as anal and vaginal intercourse in the hopes of illustrating that safe sex always needs to happen, regardless of the ways you choose to have it and/or your sexual orientation. Evidently, this provided the perfect introduction to a discussion on the ways in which HIV is transmitted and the different stages of HIV infection.

And, today is World AIDS Day which means that the Sense Project’s e-blitz has come to an end. Though, we hope that the month of November along with our regular programming has provided you with the opportunity to learn more about HIV/AIDS and well, we hope that we’ve better equipped you to fight against prejudice and practice safe sex.

So, please take a moment to reflect - to think about the millions of people worldwide who have died and/or who continue to be affected by HIV and AIDS. But, also, show your support.

Be fair, be aware and BE SAFE.

Cheers!!!

Chopstix

Faggity Ass Fridays eats out your brains:
Queer Zombies….ATTAAAAAACK!!!
Head & Hands’ Faggity dance party to support queer-positive sex ed

Would you survive a gay zombie attack? Join us and find out on Friday     October 30th at the Playhouse to celebrate the living dead and Faggity’s 2nd birthday party! It’s a dead man’…s party, and Faggity is where you’ll find zombies who want more than just your brains. These zombies want to raise money for sex education!!!

Bring your fierce. Wear your costume. Protect your brains.
Friday, October 30th 2009
10pm-3am
The Playhouse (5656 Avenue du Parc)
$10 suggested donation; all money goes to the Sense Project, Head & Hands’ holistic, queer-friendly sex education program

Dismembered DJs:
DJ witch tit, DJ fancypants

Spooky sounds:
On Bodies
Nicky Click

Deadly Drag:
Miss L’n'Q and her Drag Hoes

Haunted Hosting: Jessica Rabbit