Category: All Populations

08/20/2026

Creating Space for Care, Connection, and Pride at New Westminster Pride

Building on the incredible success of the inaugural Bush Queer Wellness Garden in 2025, HIM was proud to successfully introduce an expanded edition of the Bush at the Vancouver and New Westminster Pride Festivals this year!

The Bush is a vibrant, inclusive wellness space embedded within the Pride festival, designed to connect community members with sexual health services, wellness resources, and local programming in a relaxed, welcoming environment. It reimagines how health engagement can feel during Pride by blending accessible care with moments of joy: entertainment, community connection, shade, and an ice cream scoop in hand.

Following the amazing success of the Vancouver Pride Bush on August 2nd, the New Westminster Pride Festival Bush welcomed more than 2,000 visitors to the wellness garden throughout the day. Visitors were offered complimentary chilled beverages and cotton candy while enjoying the cooling amenities the space offered, such as misting tents, a dipping pool, shaded spaces, and lounging areas.

Visitors were also offered on-site clinical services, including Mpox vaccinations, harm reduction supplies, naloxone training, and naloxone kits by our partners at Fraser Health Authority, in addition to health information, resources, and programming offered by HIM staff and volunteers.

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This particular Pride activation broke all records for reaching and engaging more community members than any previous Pride engagement in HIM’s 18-year history. The feedback and appreciation from both the community and the New West Pride Society further demonstrated why creating such mindful and intentional community spaces matters.

This amazing success would not have been possible without the hard work of our volunteers who believe in our mission and the importance of the work work we do in our communities. Also, the support of our partners and sponsors who generously offered us space, resources, and financial support to bring our vision to reality.

08/05/2026

All Populations | Vancouver

Hosting Our Communities in Our Vancouver Pride Bush for a Second Year in a Row

This year’s Bush was buzzing from start to finish, and we couldn’t have been happier to welcome more than 1,700 community members into our little oasis during Vancouver Pride Festival.

Created as a space for people to slow down, cool off, and connect, The Bush offered a welcome break from the excitement of the festival. Throughout the day, visitors stopped by to enjoy the shade, relax with friends, and connect with HIM staff and volunteers in a welcoming, community-centred environment.

Our incredible volunteers helped keep everyone refreshed, serving more than 600 cups of ice-cold lemonade beverages courtesy of Chipotle, 900 scoops of Earnest ice cream , and 300 swirls of cotton candy to help sweeten Pride celebrations. Beyond the treats, HIM staff and volunteers were also on hand to share health information, connect people with HIM programs and services, and distribute harm reduction supplies, ensuring community members had access to resources that support their health and well-being.

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None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our amazing volunteers. Their warmth, generosity, and enthusiasm transformed The Bush into much more than a rest stop, it became a vibrant gathering place where thousands of moments of joy, conversation, and connection were shared. We are deeply grateful for the time, care, and energy they invested to make the day such a success.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners and sponsors, whose support brought this vision to life. Their commitment enabled us to create a unique queer wellness space that not only welcomed and celebrated our community but also strengthened relationships throughout the Davie Village.

To everyone who visited, shared a smile, enjoyed a treat, learned something new, or supported HIM through a donation – thank you. Your presence made The Bush exactly what we hoped it would be: a joyful reminder that community care can be simple, welcoming, and a little bit sweet.

Until next time!

06/09/2026

Across BC | All Populations

Injectable PrEP for Two-Spirit, Trans, and Queer Indigenous People in BC

Long-acting injectable PrEP (Apretude) is now approved in Canada and offers an effective alternative to taking daily pills to prevent HIV. This long-acting option consists of one injection every two months, and like daily oral PrEP, is 99% effective at preventing HIV. Since 2025, Apretude has been listed as an open benefit under the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, which Status First Nations and Inuit people across Canada can access. In BC, the responsibility for these benefits is held by First Nations Health Authority. First Nations Health Authority has an arrangement that access to all antiretrovirals, including Apretude, is managed through the BC-CfE.

For Status First Nations people, an exceptional appeal process may provide access to Apretude at no cost. Accessing Apretude via private insurance may also be an option for some Indigenous folks with or without NIHB.

We recommend reaching out to the The HIV Prevention Case Management team at Ribbon Community (My Sex Support), who are available to work one on one with people who do not have HIV to explore this aforementioned appeal process, options to access oral PrEP, as well as other harm reduction and sexual health choices.

03/30/2026

Across BC | All / General | All Populations

Have You Heard of Trichophyton Mentagrophytes VII?

You may have seen some news recently about a fungal skin infection with a very complicated name, or perhaps you are hearing about Trichophyton mentagrophtes gentotype VII (TMVII, or spoken as “TM seven”) for the first time. In either case, we at HIM want to give you some up-to-date information and provide some tips on what to look out for when it comes to TMVII.

TMVII is a sexually transmitted fungal infection that was first seen in Europe with a few cases later emerging in the US in 2024. Most cases are among gay men, and communities of men who have sex with men.

Characteristics and symptoms of TMVII include: persistent and itchy rashes; and blistered or scaly lesions that resemble ringworm. These lesions may be found around the genitals, buttocks, and inner thighs.

The prevention strategies for TMVII are ones that you may already be familiar with: talking to your partners about your and their STI status, seeing your healthcare provider if you see a rash developing, and avoiding sexual contact if you are experiencing symptoms. TMVII infections are treatable with antifungal medication. Without treatment, TMVII can lead to scarring of the skin and longer-term effects. Visit your healthcare provider for a consultation if you suspect any TMVII symptoms.

HIM will continue to monitor the TMVII situation and let you know of any developments in terms of its impact amongst our communities. We’ll help you stay safe and informed!

08/26/2025

All Populations | Vancouver

The HIMBO Jock Tea Dance

Putting joy, body-positivity, and wellbeing on the dancefloor for one last summer dance at our first ever HIMBO Jock Tea Dance.

At HIM, we know that when people feel isolated, lonely, or unsure about how to take up space and ask for what they need, they face increased risks of HIV, suicide, and overdose. That’s why our work is rooted in building stronger connections to community, fostering comfort with identity, and encouraging acceptance of others.

The HIMBO Jock Tea Dance is the latest expression of this mission – a celebration that brings our communities together in a joyful, body-positive environment. More than just a party, HIMBO created a space where wellbeing, fun, and direct access to HIM’s resources and support came together on the dancefloor.

Thanks to the generous support of our partners and sponsors: Gilead Sciences, Steamworks Baths, Pumpjack Pub, and Earnest Ice Cream as well as our amazing host The Birdhouse, our very first HIMBO Jock Tea Dance on August 24th was an incredible success. Over 250 community members joined us to dance, connect, and celebrate, making the event truly unforgettable.

From the collective sense of community and acceptance, to the laughter and the spontaneous water balloon fight, HIMBO was a day filled with joy, playfulness, and pride. We’re already excited to start planning the next one and we promise it’ll be even bigger and better.

At HIM, we believe connectedness is HIV prevention. Dancing together is HIV prevention. Joy and laughter are HIV prevention. And 250 gay and queer men and gender diverse people standing proudly together in jockstraps, fully supporting one another, is most definitely HIV prevention. We’re so proud that HIMBO created the space for all of this to happen.

Until next time!

08/19/2025

All Populations | Vancouver

Sharing Some Appreciation and Donuts with Our Amazing Donors

On Thursday, August 14th, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting our very first donor appreciation soirée – a long-overdue celebration of gratitude for the generous donors who power our work when traditional funding doesn’t always go far enough.

Hosted by our Neighbours at Pumpjack, the Donors & Donuts event welcomed more than 40 donors who gathered to connect with one another, meet members of HIM’s Board and leadership team, and of course, enjoy delicious donuts and dazzling drag performances by Whore-ia Estefan and Wan-Ting Moi.

The room was filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and plenty of smiles. Our team was especially grateful for the chance to connect with donors on a more personal level—to hear their stories, learn about their journeys in the community, and understand what inspires them to invest in HIM’s mission.

It was moving to witness so many generous community members – coming from all walks of life – sharing a common passion for the health and wellbeing of our communities.

This event marks just the beginning. Donors & Donuts is the first of many gatherings we plan to host, as we continue building stronger relationships with the people who make our work possible.

If you would like to join our community of donors and support our work, you can make a donation here.