About Us

Are you ... a Nova Scotian of any gender
who identifies and/or presents as a queer man 
Want to be a healthy, sex-savvy trendsetter?
Passionate about your community
... and your own sexual health?

Welcome to ...

for those aged 18 or older! 

I am interested in Totally OUTright, how do I apply?

Fill out our online application form, If you have a problem with the form option This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone or text 782-774-8175. 

What is Totally OUTright?

Totally OUTright in NS is a FREE 5-day sexual health leadership retreat. During the retreat, participants will explore queer sexual and mental health topics. This year's program theme is queer expression through art.

What happens at Totally OUTright?

Participants will listen to talks from local sexual and mental health leaders. They will participate in discussions, workshops, and a group project.

Who is Totally OUTright for?

Totally OUTright in NS is for two-spirit, gay, bi, non-binary, gender-fluid, gender-queer, trans and queer folks who are 18 years of age or older, however folks between the ages of 18-29 will be prioritized. This includes Nova Scotians of any gender who identify and/or present as queer men, those from all backgrounds and identities, and those living with HIV.

When & where does Totally OUTright take place?

The next Totally OUTright in NS will take place in Halifax May 4-8, 2024. 

Is there a cost for Totally OUTright?

Totally OUTright in NS is provided to participants completely FREE of charge. For those traveling from outside Halifax ALL accomodation, meal and travel expenses relating attending are covered

Who is behind Totally OUTright?

Totally OUTright was created originally for young Gay men by the Vancouver-based Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health (CBRC) and has been implemented and/or adapted by a number of organizations across Canada including: Health Initiative for Men (HIM, Vancouver), ACT (Toronto), the Rainbow Resource Centre (Winnipeg), Calgary Sexual Health Centre, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, and the Peel HIV/AIDS Network.

I am interested in Totally OUTright, how do I apply?

Fill out our online application form, If you have a problem with the form option This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone or text 782-774-8175. 

Funders

Totally OUTright in NS (2023, and 2024) is made possible in Nova Scotia through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The views expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views of PHAC.

Additional 2020-2021 program funding provided by the following Community Health Board Development funds: the Chebucto West Community Health Board, the Dartmouth Community Health Board, and the Halifax Community Health Board.

Additional 2019-2020 program funding provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services Sexual Violence Strategy.

Additional 2018-2019 program funding provided by the following Community Health Board Development funds: the Chebucto West Community Health Board, the Dartmouth Community Health Board, and the Halifax Community Health Board.

Funding for the February 2017 pilot of this program was provided by the M.A.C AIDS Fund, the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services Sexual Violence Strategy, and the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

We would like to thank the CBRC, the Rainbow Resource Centre, and the AIDS Committee of Ottawa for their support and assistance in developing our pilot offering of Totally OUTright in Nova Scotia.

 ACNS invites you to ... The Red Gala! 

We're changing our name  -  and expanding our mission to broader queer health...  So 'Come Out' with us on April 20th, 2024, at the Light House Arts Centre to find out more!

This marquee cocktail social event will feature a bar, light aetizers, a silent auction, and variety-show-style performances, all co-hosted by drag performers Rouge Fatale and Deva Station.

It's a semi-formal affair that will celebrate the three-decade legacy of ACNS, and will serve as an introduction to our future. We will unveil name and brand changes to the organization during the night.

Tickets are $95, or you can reserve a table of 10 for $1000. Get your tickets at www.tinyurl.com/ACNSRedGala

For more information contact Jordan Parker at 902-240-7384 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

And ... we invite you to wear something RED!

              OTHER SPONSORS INCLUDE: 

Tara MacDonald Inc. https://taracmacdonald.com          

Nova Scotia Nurses' Union https://www.nsnu.ca

Nova Scotia Teachers Union https://nstu.caNova          

Nova Scotia Spirit Co. https://novascotiaspirits.com

Ashley (She/Her) was born and raised in Halifax, however spent half her adult life living on the West coast, before moving back East. She attended St. Francis Xavier University, graduating with an Arts degree in 2007. Ashley has spent the past 10+ years working across a variety of leadership roles within TD Bank. In her current position,  Assistant Market Manager – TD Private Wealth Management, she leads a team of Private Bankers across Atlantic Canada. Ashley is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within TD and the broader community – As Chair of TD's 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group in Atlantic, and as a member of the Wealth Forever Proud core committee, Ashley actively advocates for equality and representation. In her spare time, Ashley can be found skiing, cycling, running or enjoying the great outdoors with her wife and their two dogs. 

Daniel (He/Him) is the provincial HIV registered nurse for the Department of Medicine with Nova Scotia Health Authority. Daniel has a keen knowledge in sexual health throughout the lifespan and is an advocate for sexual health and aging. He has been the regional representative for the Canadian Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, as well as a board member of the Halifax Sexual Health Centre. Daniel also works at an Halifax VG STI clinic and has been involved in projects aimed at improving access to pre exposure prophylaxis for Nova Scotians.

Advocacy about MonkeyPox

ACNS is an active member of an ad hoc informal community coalition that is pushing for action by the NS government on Monkeypox, including scaling up access to vaccines. Click here to see the committee's open letter to the NS government.

What is MonkeyPox

Monkeypox (aka Mpox) is a relatively rare virus that's primarily spread through extended periods of close physical contact with someone who has it. It can also be transmitted by droplets of saliva and mucus from coughing, sneezing, or kissing. Anyone can have and transmit monkeypox. In Canada, a large number of cases are among men who have sex with men (MSM), and one reason for this could be that MSM are very active in taking care of their health and getting tested regularly, especially for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It's important for everyone to be aware of their risks, symptoms, what can be done to help prevent it, and to stay up to date on new monkeypox information.

What to look for (signs and symptoms)

• fever or chills 
• skin rash 
• headache 
• muscle aches or back pain 
• fatigue 
• swollen lymph nodes 
• sores or blisters

Symptoms may appear 5-21 days after exposure and can last 2-4 weeks. Mpox symptoms can also resemble signs of some STIs like syphilis and herpes. Mpox is not as severe as smallpox, however, if you develop a fever and then a rash it's recommended that you seek medical attention.

Monkeypox and HIV

Mpox doesn't appear to be any more severe in people living with HIV, especially people on effective treatment with a suppressed viral load.

Prevention and Treatment

Some ways to prevent Mpox is by washing your hands, wearing a mask, covering coughs/sneezes, and limiting sex partners. If you have a sore or blister and suspect Mpox, isolate from others. Cover the sore up with a large band aid if you must be in contact with other people or do have sex. Virtual sex with no in-person contact can be a good alternative while you heal. Talk to your partner(s) about any recent symptoms or unexplained sores or rashes. If possible, exchanging contact information with sexual partners can help reduce or prevent the spread of Mpox.

The same vaccine for smallpox is effective against Mpox and may be given by a public health or health care worker. If you think you were exposed to Mpox or suspect you have it, please contact your health care provider or local public health department as soon as possible

- - -

For more info and resource about Mpox see our Mpox Fact Sheet, our general Mpox Facebook post, and also our HIV and Mpox Facebook post. 

For info about Mpox vaccines in NS (and other Mpox details) go to https://novascotia.ca/monkeypox

Want to know more about Mpox? Check out our Mpox Fact Sheet here. 

Our Peer N Peer Pilot is Now Closed 

We're are leaving this web content up for information purposes.

If you have questions please contact Hanly @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 782-234-5472 (phone/text).

- - - - -

What is Peer N Peer?

Peer N Peer is a peer-led queer substance use and sexual health program.

Rooted in harm reduction principles, the Peer N Peer project meets people where they are at on their substance use and sexual journeys. 

The Peer N Peer team is here to support 2SLGBTQIA+ people in using substances more safely, improving their sex life, changing how substances affect their sex life, and reducing or abstaining from substance use if that’s their goal. The Peer N Peer team is here to help with whatever goals individuals may have around sexual health and substance use.

Supports and services offered by the Peer N Peer team include:

• Screening and Referrals
• Peer Support
• Access to Harm Reduction Supplies
• Education & Outreach
• Flexible hours

Harm Reduction Supplies offered by the Peer N Peer Project include:

• Condoms
• Silicone lube
• Safer fisting kit
• Safer snorting kit
• Safer injection kit
• Safer crack/meth kit
• Fentanyl testing kits
• Glass stems 
• Brass screens
• Wooden push sticks
• Vitamin C
• Matches
• Bubble pipes
• Rubber mouth pieces
• Syringes 
• Filters
• Tourniquets
• Sterile water
• Cookers
• Alcohol swabs
• Naloxone Kits
• Hormone Replacement Therapy Kits

We also offer sharps disposal.

Supplies can be delivered via Canada Post if you are unable to come into the project office. The Peer N Peer office is located at 5516 Spring Garden Road, Suite 203, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Peer N Peer program is funded by Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program through national program partner, Vancouver-based CBRC.

Info & Resources

Having trouble accessing these resources? Try a new browser, or clear your cookies. If you have technical questions - or want a downloadable copy - contact XXXXXXX

Addictions Resources For The 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

What is Chemsex or PnP?

Chemsex or PnP Party Tips

Anal Douching Guide

What is Sex Addiction?

How To Access Hormone Replacement Therapy

Estrogen Therapy Information

Testosterone Therapy Information

ACNS was overdue for a refresh...

Consultations Completed!

Thanks to all who participated in our Community Consultations, and supported our planned changes at the Annual General Meeeting special resolution vote...

Watch out for our rebranding launch to come in Spring 2024!

- - - 

FROM FALL 2022 - SUMMER 2023 ...

If you would like to be part of the ACNS community consultation process, please email Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put “Community Consultation” in the subject line. We will email the Zoom consultation details to all who expressed interest. 

The proposal that ACNS will be seeking feedback on is:

“to expand our mandate to address broader sexual health, mental health and substance use issues – and to do so for all 2SLGBTQIA+ Nova Scotians”. This is the possible future that we wish to work towards. This is the proposal we now wish to present to our existing clients and HIV priority populations, as well as to the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Nova Scotia.

First off, we want to be clear that we are not planning on giving up any of the HIV support and prevention programs and services we currently offer. ACNS will continue to address HIV issues for all impacted populations in Nova Scotia. However, to survive (or even thrive!) to be able to offer those HIV-specific services we need a broader foundation. Also, we’ve long been aware of the obvious overlaps and synergies between HIV work and broader 2SLGBTQIA+ health work.

HIV-specific funding – at both the provincial and federal level – continues to shrink each and every year!  In addition, fund-raising for all charities has continued to get more and more challenging as the fundraising landscape gets increasingly crowded and competitive (and that was before COVID-19).

Back in 2018-2019 the ACNS staff and Board of Directors had gone through a detailed strategic planning process to assess the direction of the organization in both the short-and-long-term.  We looked at the work we have been doing, the work we want to be doing, the challenges and opportunities that new developments in HIV treatment and prevention have presented, and we especially looked at the challenges and opportunities that changes in funding for programs have presented.

Out of that strategic planning process, new ideas and directions emerged that we need to discuss with our clients, and the populations we already serve... and the populations we may be adding to our service!

To finalize this process we were planning on doing consultations across Nova Scotia in the spring of 2020.  COVID-19 interrupted that process. This spring we're back on track - offering Zoom consultation sessions. If Zoom does not work for you, let us know and we'll make alternative arrangements.

ACNS wants to hear your thoughts and input on our proposal, and we’re hoping to have in-depth discussions about how we can best serve our communities moving forward. Our community consultations will include an HIV+ client focus groups, and broader 2SLGBTQIA+ consultations. 

If you would like to be part of this consultation process, please email Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put “Community Consultation” in the subject line.

Thanks!

Thank you for helping us foster a healthier, more supportive and knowledgeable Nova Scotia. With knowledge and support we can help people living with HIV and stop new cases.

If you have trouble with the form below, try our Canada Helps page.

Michael (negm/negmow  they/them) comes from a large family that holds its roots deep within the NS Black and First Nations communities.  Being an Indigenous Two-Spirited and Black Nova Scotian has been the driving force for Michael’s work within the Queer, First Nations, and NS Black communities.

With a media technical background through NSCC, NSCAD, and ACADIA, Michael has worked in visual art since the early 90s, and some of their works have crossed into how they view society and its use or misuse of gender. Having worked within advocacy and consulting they spends much of their time on unpacking social equity in policy and procedures defined within working groups.

Michael is proud to have been part of many queer organizations and boards during their work in advocacy. This work has seen inclusion in Transgender Health legal advocacy with researchers and publication in Indigenous 2S knowledge. They have a long standing connection to Queer advocacy within the Atlantic province and have been greatly involved in the past with Halifax Pride, NSRAP, the Youth Project and OutLaw to name a few. They are a member of the Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance, and a current Board member of NSPIRG.

“ It’s very, 

very clear that the risk

is zero. ”

-  Dr. Alison Rodger
Lead author of PARTNER study

What is U = U? *

The evidence is in: If you are HIV+, take treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load, you cannot pass HIV on to your sex partner – with or without condoms. In short, when HIV is undetectable, it’s untransmittable. Those words are long so the shorthand is “ U = U ”.

What is an undetectable viral load?

Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in the blood of a person living with HIV. HIV treatment can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood to a level too low to be measured by a viral load test. At that point, a person’s viral load is said to be undetectable. For most people, this occurs after taking HIV treatment for three to six months.

What are the benefits of having an undetectable viral load?

Starting treatment as soon as possible after becoming HIV positive decreases a person’s risk of developing serious illnesses and allows people to live long, healthy lives. Having an undetectable viral load can also prevent HIV transmission.

How do I know if I’m undetectable?

The only way to know is to have regular viral load tests. If your viral load becomes detectable again, there may be a risk of HIV transmission. An ongoing detectable viral load may also indicate that your HIV treatment is no longer working properly. If your viral load becomes detectable, talk to your doctor.

Where’s the proof?

Since the introduction of combination therapy for HIV in the mid-1990s, there have been no confirmed reports of anyone with an undetectable viral load sexually transmitting HIV. Not one!

     This conclusion is based on the overwhelming force of real world and research evidence including five major international research studies. These studies (see sidebar) showed that not a single HIV transmission occurred between serodiscordant* sex partners when the partner living with HIV was on treatment and had an undetectable viral load. (*Serodiscordant means one partner was HIV negative and one was HIV positive.) Combined, these studies tracked more than 150,000 condomless anal and vaginal sex acts – and there were ZERO transmissions of HIV.

     The Prevention Access Campaign—an international coalition of HIV advocates, activists and researchers who are spreading the word that undetectable HIV is untransmittable—has turned this scientific evidence into a simple message: U = U. Researchers from all the major treatment as prevention studies have endorsed it. In November of 2017 the Government of Canada also endorsed it.

 What about other STIs?

Maintaining an undetectable viral load can prevent HIV but it does not prevent the transmission of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Condoms can reduce the risk of many STIs, so you might want to use HIV treatment and condoms. Also, as STIs can be symptom-free regular STI testing is recommended for all sexually active people a minimum of once per year.

How can I make U = U work for me?

Take your HIV treatment as prescribed and see your healthcare provider regularly. Your ongoing healthcare should include blood tests to check your viral load and ensure that it remains undetectable. Wait until you have had at least two consecutive undetectable viral load test results before depending on this strategy.

     To make this strategy keep working for you taking your meds is key. If you have trouble taking them every day, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your doctor, pharmacist and/or counsellor.

     If your viral load does not become undetectable or if it becomes detectable again, this can increase the risk of transmission. In that case, you may need to use other prevention strategies, such as condoms or PrEP (for your partner(s)) until your viral load becomes undetectable.