Maurice Poon
Professor
Office: S878 Ross Building
Phone: 416-736-2100 Ext: 20521
Email: mklpoon@yorku.ca
Maurice Kwong-Lai Poon is a professor in the School of Social Work at York University and Co-chair of the Advisory Research Committee at Asian Community AIDS Services. His current research focuses on gay Asian diasporic identities and politics, the social construction of violence in gay intimate relationships, and HIV/AIDS issues related to Asian men who have sex with men. He is active in the development of human services for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Asian community in Toronto.
Degrees
Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Toronto, TorontoMSW, Carleton University, Ottawa
BSW, Ryerson University, Toronto
Social Service Worker Diploma, Seneca College, Toronto
Research Interests
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship - 2004 – 2005
- Social Science and Humanities Research Council Fellowship - 2002 – 2004
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship - 2001 – 2002
- University of Toronto Open Fellowship - 2000 – 2001
- Dean’s list of the Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University - 1998
Poon, M. K. L. (2011) . Beyond good and evil: The social construction of violence in intimate gay relationships. In J. Ristock (Ed.), Intimate partner violence in LGBTQ lives (pp. 102-130). New York: Routledge.
Kujath, J., & Poon, M. K. L. (2016) . Review of Narrating social work through autoethnography, edited by Stanley L. Witkin. China Journal of Social Work, 9 (2): 178-180.
Poon, M. K. L. (2024). Searching for a congruent framework to teach sexuality in social work: A personal reflection. Critical & Radical Social Work , 12 (4): 508-520.
Poon, M. K. L., & Zhang, H. (2024). Remembering Amy Rossiter: The governing effects of self-esteem knowledge on social work practice. Critical Social Work , 25 (special issue): 66-83.
Ning, X., & Poon, M. K. L. (2021). Mapping heteronormativity as state violence: The experience of gay men and lesbians in contemporary China and its implications for social work practice. China Journal of Social Work, 14 (1): 59-73.
Wong, J. P. H., Poon, M.K. L., Vahabi, M., Sutdhibhasilp, N., & Narushima, M. (2021). Transnational contexts and local embeddedness of HIV/STI vulnerabilities among Thai and Filipino agricultural temporary foreign workers in Canada. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 23 (6): 723-739.
Narushima, M., Wong, J. P. H., Li, A., Bhagat, D., Bisignano, A., Fung, K., & Poon, M. K. L. (2020). Youth perspectives on sex education: Voices from the YEP study in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 29 (1): 32-44.
Husbands, W., Miller, D., McCready, L. T., Williams, C., Guy, L., Harriott, A., James, C. E., Luyombya, H., Mohidin, O., Ozzoude, C., Poon, M. K. L., & Tabi, E. (2019). Sexuality and sexual agency among heterosexual black men in Toronto: Tradition, contradiction and emergent possibilities. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 44 (4): 399-424.
Wong, J. P. H., & Poon, M.K. L. (2019). Masculine identity, street capital and sexual practices of a Chinese young man in Canada. China Journal of Social Work, 12 (2): 119-139.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Li, A. T. W., Manuba, M., Bisignano, A., Owino, M., & Vahabi, M. (2018) . HIV-positive MSM’s knowledge of HPV and anal cancer self-sampling: A scoping review. Current Oncology, 25 (1): e83-e89.
Wong, J. P. H., Vahabi, M., Miholjcic, J., Tan, V., Owino, M., Li, A., & Poon, M. K. L. (2018) . Knowledge of HPV/cervical cancer and acceptability of HPV self-sampling among women living with HIV: A scoping review. Current Oncology, 25 (1): e73-e82.
Poon, M. K. L., Li, A. T. W., Wong, J. P. H., & Wong, C. (2017) . Queer-friendly nation? The experience of Chinese gay immigrants in Canada. China Journal of Social Work, 10 (1): 23-38.
Wong, J. P. H., & Poon, M. K. L. (2013) . Challenging homophobia and heterosexism through storytelling and critical dialogue among Hong Kong Chinese immigrant parents in Toronto. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 15 (1): 15-28.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2013) . Sexual practices and sex-seeking behaviours among East and Southeast Asian men who have sex with men in Toronto: Implications for HIV prevention. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 22 (2): 77-85.
Wong, J. P. H., Li, A. T. W., Poon, M. K. L., & Fung, K. (2013) . An exploratory study on the mental health of immigrants, refugees and non-status people living with HIV/AIDS. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 9 (3): 122-134.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2012) . Drug use and STI/HIV risk among East and Southest Asian men who have sex with men in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 21 (3/4): 127-133.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2011) . HIV and STI testing among East and Southeast Asian men who have sex with men in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 20 (4): 157-166.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2011) . Condom use among East and Southeast Asian men attending a gay bathhouse in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 20 (3): 67-74.
Poon, M. K. L. (2011) . Writing the racialized queer bodies: Race and sexuality in social work. Canadian Social Work Review, 28 (1): 145-150.
Wong, J. P. H., & Poon, M.K. L. (2010) . Bringing translation out of the shadow: Translation as an issue of methodological significance in cross-cultural qualitative research. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 21 (2): 151-158.
Poon, M. K. L., & Ho, P. T. T. (2008) . Negotiating social stigma among gay Asian men. Sexualities, 11 (1/2): 245-268.
Poon, M. K. L., & Sin, R. (2008) . “Without power analysis, there won’t be equality”: Interrogating the idea of love in Asian/Caucasian gay relationships. Gay & Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, 4 (3): 198-200.
Poon, M. K. L. (2006) . The discourse of oppression in contemporary gay Asian diasporal literature: Liberation or limitation? Sexuality & Culture, 10 (3): 29-58.
Poon, M. K. L., Ho, P. T. T., Wong, J. P. H., Wong, G., & Lee, R. (2005) . Psychosocial experiences of East and Southeast Asian men who use gay internet chat rooms in Toronto: An implication for HIV/AIDS prevention. Ethnicity & Health, 10 (2): 145-167.
Poon, M. K. L. (2004) . A missing voice: Asians in contemporary gay and lesbian social service literature. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 17 (3): 87-106.
Poon, M. K. L., & Ho, P. T. T. (2002) . A qualitative analysis of cultural and social vulnerabilities to HIV infection among gay, lesbian and bisexual Asian youth. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 14 (3): 43-78.
Poon, M. K. L., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, J. P. H. (2001) . Developing a comprehensive AIDS prevention outreach program: A needs assessment survey of MSM of East and Southeast Asian descent who visit bars and/or bathhouses in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 10 (1&2): 25-39.
Poon, M. K. L. (2000) . Inter-racial same-sex abuse: The vulnerability of gay men of Asian descent in relationships with Caucasian men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 11 (4): 39-67.
Poon, M. K. L. (2004) . Violence in inter-racial same-sex intimate relationships: Cultural and socio-economic factors associated with the vulnerability of gay Asian men in relationships with Caucasian men. Aware: The Newsletter of the BC Institute against Family Violence, 11 (2): 26-30. Available from http://www.bcifv.org/resources/newsletter/index.shtml
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | GS/SOWK5945 3.0 | A | Social Work Perspectives Gender & Sexual | SEMR |
| Fall 2024 | GS/SOWK5150 3.0 | C | Critical Perspectives in Social Work | SEMR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4000 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work I | PRAC |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4001 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work II | PRAC |
Upcoming Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4000 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work I | PRAC |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4001 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work II | PRAC |
Maurice Kwong-Lai Poon is a professor in the School of Social Work at York University and Co-chair of the Advisory Research Committee at Asian Community AIDS Services. His current research focuses on gay Asian diasporic identities and politics, the social construction of violence in gay intimate relationships, and HIV/AIDS issues related to Asian men who have sex with men. He is active in the development of human services for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Asian community in Toronto.
Degrees
Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Toronto, TorontoMSW, Carleton University, Ottawa
BSW, Ryerson University, Toronto
Social Service Worker Diploma, Seneca College, Toronto
Research Interests
Awards
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship - 2004 – 2005
- Social Science and Humanities Research Council Fellowship - 2002 – 2004
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship - 2001 – 2002
- University of Toronto Open Fellowship - 2000 – 2001
- Dean’s list of the Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University - 1998
All Publications
Poon, M. K. L. (2011) . Beyond good and evil: The social construction of violence in intimate gay relationships. In J. Ristock (Ed.), Intimate partner violence in LGBTQ lives (pp. 102-130). New York: Routledge.
Kujath, J., & Poon, M. K. L. (2016) . Review of Narrating social work through autoethnography, edited by Stanley L. Witkin. China Journal of Social Work, 9 (2): 178-180.
Poon, M. K. L. (2024). Searching for a congruent framework to teach sexuality in social work: A personal reflection. Critical & Radical Social Work , 12 (4): 508-520.
Poon, M. K. L., & Zhang, H. (2024). Remembering Amy Rossiter: The governing effects of self-esteem knowledge on social work practice. Critical Social Work , 25 (special issue): 66-83.
Ning, X., & Poon, M. K. L. (2021). Mapping heteronormativity as state violence: The experience of gay men and lesbians in contemporary China and its implications for social work practice. China Journal of Social Work, 14 (1): 59-73.
Wong, J. P. H., Poon, M.K. L., Vahabi, M., Sutdhibhasilp, N., & Narushima, M. (2021). Transnational contexts and local embeddedness of HIV/STI vulnerabilities among Thai and Filipino agricultural temporary foreign workers in Canada. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 23 (6): 723-739.
Narushima, M., Wong, J. P. H., Li, A., Bhagat, D., Bisignano, A., Fung, K., & Poon, M. K. L. (2020). Youth perspectives on sex education: Voices from the YEP study in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 29 (1): 32-44.
Husbands, W., Miller, D., McCready, L. T., Williams, C., Guy, L., Harriott, A., James, C. E., Luyombya, H., Mohidin, O., Ozzoude, C., Poon, M. K. L., & Tabi, E. (2019). Sexuality and sexual agency among heterosexual black men in Toronto: Tradition, contradiction and emergent possibilities. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 44 (4): 399-424.
Wong, J. P. H., & Poon, M.K. L. (2019). Masculine identity, street capital and sexual practices of a Chinese young man in Canada. China Journal of Social Work, 12 (2): 119-139.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Li, A. T. W., Manuba, M., Bisignano, A., Owino, M., & Vahabi, M. (2018) . HIV-positive MSM’s knowledge of HPV and anal cancer self-sampling: A scoping review. Current Oncology, 25 (1): e83-e89.
Wong, J. P. H., Vahabi, M., Miholjcic, J., Tan, V., Owino, M., Li, A., & Poon, M. K. L. (2018) . Knowledge of HPV/cervical cancer and acceptability of HPV self-sampling among women living with HIV: A scoping review. Current Oncology, 25 (1): e73-e82.
Poon, M. K. L., Li, A. T. W., Wong, J. P. H., & Wong, C. (2017) . Queer-friendly nation? The experience of Chinese gay immigrants in Canada. China Journal of Social Work, 10 (1): 23-38.
Wong, J. P. H., & Poon, M. K. L. (2013) . Challenging homophobia and heterosexism through storytelling and critical dialogue among Hong Kong Chinese immigrant parents in Toronto. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 15 (1): 15-28.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2013) . Sexual practices and sex-seeking behaviours among East and Southeast Asian men who have sex with men in Toronto: Implications for HIV prevention. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 22 (2): 77-85.
Wong, J. P. H., Li, A. T. W., Poon, M. K. L., & Fung, K. (2013) . An exploratory study on the mental health of immigrants, refugees and non-status people living with HIV/AIDS. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 9 (3): 122-134.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2012) . Drug use and STI/HIV risk among East and Southest Asian men who have sex with men in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 21 (3/4): 127-133.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2011) . HIV and STI testing among East and Southeast Asian men who have sex with men in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 20 (4): 157-166.
Poon, M. K. L., Wong, J. P. H., Sutdhibhasilp, N., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, B. (2011) . Condom use among East and Southeast Asian men attending a gay bathhouse in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 20 (3): 67-74.
Poon, M. K. L. (2011) . Writing the racialized queer bodies: Race and sexuality in social work. Canadian Social Work Review, 28 (1): 145-150.
Wong, J. P. H., & Poon, M.K. L. (2010) . Bringing translation out of the shadow: Translation as an issue of methodological significance in cross-cultural qualitative research. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 21 (2): 151-158.
Poon, M. K. L., & Ho, P. T. T. (2008) . Negotiating social stigma among gay Asian men. Sexualities, 11 (1/2): 245-268.
Poon, M. K. L., & Sin, R. (2008) . “Without power analysis, there won’t be equality”: Interrogating the idea of love in Asian/Caucasian gay relationships. Gay & Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, 4 (3): 198-200.
Poon, M. K. L. (2006) . The discourse of oppression in contemporary gay Asian diasporal literature: Liberation or limitation? Sexuality & Culture, 10 (3): 29-58.
Poon, M. K. L., Ho, P. T. T., Wong, J. P. H., Wong, G., & Lee, R. (2005) . Psychosocial experiences of East and Southeast Asian men who use gay internet chat rooms in Toronto: An implication for HIV/AIDS prevention. Ethnicity & Health, 10 (2): 145-167.
Poon, M. K. L. (2004) . A missing voice: Asians in contemporary gay and lesbian social service literature. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 17 (3): 87-106.
Poon, M. K. L., & Ho, P. T. T. (2002) . A qualitative analysis of cultural and social vulnerabilities to HIV infection among gay, lesbian and bisexual Asian youth. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 14 (3): 43-78.
Poon, M. K. L., Ho, P. T. T., & Wong, J. P. H. (2001) . Developing a comprehensive AIDS prevention outreach program: A needs assessment survey of MSM of East and Southeast Asian descent who visit bars and/or bathhouses in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 10 (1&2): 25-39.
Poon, M. K. L. (2000) . Inter-racial same-sex abuse: The vulnerability of gay men of Asian descent in relationships with Caucasian men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 11 (4): 39-67.
Poon, M. K. L. (2004) . Violence in inter-racial same-sex intimate relationships: Cultural and socio-economic factors associated with the vulnerability of gay Asian men in relationships with Caucasian men. Aware: The Newsletter of the BC Institute against Family Violence, 11 (2): 26-30. Available from http://www.bcifv.org/resources/newsletter/index.shtml
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | GS/SOWK5945 3.0 | A | Social Work Perspectives Gender & Sexual | SEMR |
| Fall 2024 | GS/SOWK5150 3.0 | C | Critical Perspectives in Social Work | SEMR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4000 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work I | PRAC |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4001 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work II | PRAC |
Upcoming Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4000 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work I | PRAC |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/SOWK4001 6.0 | B | Practicum in Social Work II | PRAC |
