HQ Health Hub: a 2SLGBTQ+ community game-changer
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Canada’s largest population of gay, bi, and queer guys—plus a vibrant trans and non-binary community—make Toronto home. No surprise, the city also sees the highest rates of HIV in Ontario, with most new diagnoses among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. In a health space obviously ripe for innovation, the arrival of HQ is a game-changer for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Accessible, safe, and welcoming. HQ's integrated, human-centred and holistic approach makes it even more compelling. Host, James Watson gets the full picture with long-time advocate and community leader, John McCullagh, and Co-chair of the Board of Directors for HQ. Most importantly, they break down why this unprecedented clinic is so necessary—and why it’s personally important to John, as a gay person living with HIV.
Our episode guest
John McCullagh
Co-chair, Board of Directors, HQ Toronto
John McCullagh is a gay man who lives with HIV. Born and raised in England, where he trained in social work, he and his partner Arnold immigrated to Canada in 1975.In 1981, he co-founded the social services organization now known as David Kelley Services that provides counselling and support, free of charge, to the 2SLGBTQ+ community and went on to found the Out and Proud program at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Prior to his retirement in 2011, John worked for the Ontario Public Service as a policy and program analyst. Over the years, John has sat on the boards of directors of a number of community-based organizations. Most recently, he was the chair of CATIE, Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information, and co-chair of the Ontario AIDS Network. Currently he is a founding co-chair of HQ Toronto.
See the future or change the past? See the future
Shopping online or in store? Shopping in the store
Sleeping with door open or closed? Door closed
Logic or emotion? Logic
Art museum or history museum? Art Museum
Some episode notes and links...
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Created and shaped by values with purpose and intention... from a human perspective
HQ is all about, and shaped by community… a space where cis guys into guys and all trans and non-binary people support one another and meaningfully focus on their well-being. Read more about what sets HQ far apart from nearly every other health clinic.
As a 'bricks and mortar' community hub, HQ is unprecedented providing a much-needed social gathering space for cis guys into guys and trans and non-binary people in Toronto.... it's a calming, artful flow of spaces that offer group rooms that allow cis guys into guys, and trans and non-binary people to see HQ as home. This includes a community space for poetry readings, book clubs, art events, and coffee nights.
HQ looks at health holistically. Recognizing the important connection between spiritual health and physical health, HQ will offer Toronto's 2-Spirit community specialized rooms for spiritual services, such as smudging ceremonies. This approach allows 2-Spirit community members to get the care they need in an environment that facilitates community-building and spiritual wellness. –2-Spirited Peoples of the First Nation
