Gay Men’s Health Summit about more than just sex!

In November 2010 I attended the 6th Gay Men’s Health Summit in Vancouver to meet and engage with front line workers, researchers and men living with HIV. We took the opportunity to learn, share and discuss the ongoing challenges and successes that have happened in the gay men/MSM health movement.

The summit, like many other conferences, discussed the challenges connected to stigma and discrimination towards HIV positive gay men/MSM. Despite this, the overall feeling I came away with was one of positive progression in many areas of gay men/MSM health and well being.

Some of the positive aspects presented and discussed were that many gay men/MSM are aware of HIV and other STI’s. These men are taking the necessary steps to discuss HIV and STI’s with potential partners, making better informed choices around safer sex practices, and incorporating a variety of safer sex prevention strategies to benefit their own personal health and well being.

The summit provided a safe venue to speak honestly about the realities of being a gay man or MSM in a world trying to prevent HIV and STI infections within that specific population.

At the end of the summit I left feeling better about gay men/MSM sexual choices and practices than I thought I would. It was encouraging to see the good, effective safer sex options these men are embracing and implementing into their lives.

There is still a great deal of work to be done as HIV and STI’s continue to occur across the country within the gay men/MSM population. Gaps remain regarding gay men/MSM appropriate front line workers and services.

My biggest conference finding was the understanding and acknowledgment that the future of gay men/MSM health care services must be about more that just sex. It must include all aspects of healthy living including mental, physical, spiritual and emotional. It should incorporate supports and services that are peer based and driven to continue a positive momentum and reduction in HIV and STI transmission in the gay men/MSM community.

This article was submitted by the AIDS Calgary HEAT Program Coordinator. HEAT (HIV Education and Awareness Today) is a program designed to address HIV/STI education, awareness and prevention in the gay men/MSM community.