Category: Vancouver

12/10/2024

All / General | All Populations | Vancouver

HIM Volunteer Appreciation Party Brings 2024 to a Wrap with Excitement, Joy, and Togetherness!

On December 5th, HIM held its highly anticipated Volunteer Appreciation Party at The Junction Pub, continuing the beloved tradition of celebrating and honoring the incredible volunteers who help make the community thrive. This iconic event brings together HIM volunteers, their partners, HIM business partners and Neighbors for a night of gratitude, fun, and unforgettable performances.

This year’s celebration saw 170 attendees enjoying a variety of spectacular drag performances from local talent, including Whore-ia Estefan, Wan-Ting Moi, Beth, AndrogynAss, PM, Addi Pose, Velvet Ryder, Bibi SouPhresh, Yuen Young, Cleopatra Compton, and Gia Metric. The night was filled with laughter, cheer, and plenty of sparkle as these performers wowed the crowd.

In addition to the dazzling performances, guests had the chance to participate in fun games and interactive installations, including the popular 360 Photo Booth, donated by Magik Moments – a Photo Booth Rental in Vancouver,. The photo booth added an extra layer of excitement as volunteers and their partners captured memories from the evening.

A highlight of the evening was the launch of HIM’s latest fundraising initiative, Penny Pigs. Volunteers and supporters were eager to adopt locally made piggy banks, which will be used to raise funds for HIM’s mission through fun activities and community involvement. The initiative was met with great enthusiasm, ensuring a positive start to 2024’s fundraising efforts.

The party wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of HIM’s partners and neighbors. Special thanks to our sponsor, VIIV Healthcare, and to Little Sisters, F212 Steam, Steamworks Baths, Topped Toys, Earls, Fountainhead, CottonMouth, Matchstick Coffee Roasters, Haus Zuk, MSK Health and Performance Clinic, Hope Forstenzer, Scott McDougall, and B Fit Personal Training for their donations of prizes and in-kind support.

As the year comes to a close, HIM is filled with gratitude for the dedicated volunteers who make a difference in the community. Here’s to an exciting 2024 filled with more opportunities to come together, celebrate, and continue making an impact!

HIM’s holiday party was supported in part by ViiV Healthcare. The views expressed herein by HIM Health Initiative for Men Society are solely those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of ViiV Healthcare ULC

06/29/2023

All Populations | Vancouver

WESA 2023 Donation to HIM

For 45 seasons the West End Slo-Pitch Association (WESA) has created space for gay, bi, and queer men and our gender diverse siblings/neighbors to have a space to engage in sports in a community setting. We applaud WESA for creating opportunities for people that have been historically rejected from sports. Since their foundation they have been a group of strong community advocates who have raised funds for organizations like: Qmunity, Rainbow refugee, and more.

When we told WESA about how governments were taking no action on the healing and recovery efforts that were needed following the federal ban/illegalization of “conversion therapy” (which we call Conversion Efforts) they immediately rose to the occasion.

The WESA Association, lead by Commissioner Sean Cummings, as well as event Host Lance Sandover, welcomed HIM as the beneficiary of the 2023 WESA Drag Pageant Fundraiser. The pageant has been a fixture of the league’s annual activities since 1987 and this year hosted over 700 enthusiastic attendees. The fundraiser managed to raise close to $11,000 which will empower HIM to operate Survivors, a Peer-led program designed to support the survivors of conversion efforts.

Survivors is led by people with lived experience because we know how much of a difference it makes to have programs and services directed by the people who are most impacted. This program is built on a foundation of compassion, understanding, and empowerment. A key component of the program is the way that it invites and trains participants to become peer-leaders and to come back through the program as facilitators, organizers, and promoters of healing and wellness.

This is a shining example of a time when our community shows up and shares their resources towards a better future. 100% of the donation will be going back into community through this program.

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