ADVOCACY

The MSMGF works to bring attention to and mobilize action to support  policies, laws and other initiatives that promote and protect the health and human rights of men who have sex with men (MSM) worldwide. Our advocacy efforts are also directed toward increasing resources and elevating underrepresented issues that are unique to MSM and HIV in all world regions. The range of advocacy strategies employed by the MSMGF include policy analysis, monitoring AIDS-related policy- and decision-making processes,  and developing and disseminating written statements and briefs through a think-tank approach that draws on expertise of our Steering Committee members from around the world.

The MSMGF is committed to utilizing a rights-based framework in our efforts to address HIV and public health. Key targets for advocacy include country governments, global donors, international development agencies and the family of UN agencies. 

Policy Activities and Initiatives

• MSM & HIV Policy Dashboard
  
  The MSMGF conducted desk research and generated a Policy Dashboard that reviewed several major policy domains.  The Policy Dashboard serves as a quick reference guide for: HIV prevalence among MSM; MSM-relevant UNGASS indicators reported in 2008 and 2010; criminalization and legal environment; MSM and HIV investments; major policy documents, including National AIDS Plans; and regional and sub-regional networks serving the 10 LGBT focus countries under the Bridging the Gaps grant (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe).
   
• Speaking Out Advocacy Toolkit
  
  In late May 2011, the MSMGF launched the Speaking Out Advocacy Toolkit, a training-of-trainers designed to support grassroots activists in the development and implementation of rights-based advocacy projects.  Focusing specifically on men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV, the toolkit addresses key issues for this population, including stigma and discrimination, service provision for MSM, fund raising for MSM projects, working in hostile environments, and United Nations Human Rights mechanisms.
  
  
• Strengthening Action at the United Nations on MSM, Stigma and Discrimination
  
  
  • At the 27th meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB), MSMGF Executive Officer Dr. George Ayala was confirmed as an NGO Delegate for the North American region. For more details, see the MSMGF's Report from the 27th Meeting of the UNAIDS PCB.
     
  • In the lead up to the United Nations 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS, the MSMGF prepared and disseminated a two-page Information Note on engaging in the Universal Access regional consultations taking place around the world.  This brief was translated and distributed in English, French and Spanish.
     
  • The MSMGF collaborated with major networks of key populations to produce a 2-page document detailing the vital steps needed for an effective global response to HIV: "10 Essential Steps for “Getting to Zero”: Principles and Recommendations for Addressing Key Populations at the UN 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS"
     
  • The MSMGF advocated strongly for an expanded UNAIDS mandate to address HIV among MSM at the 26th Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board in June 2010. MSMGF advocates from Belarus, the Philippines and Zimbabwe spoke powerfully about their experiences, and the urgent need to step up programs and remove barriers to universal access.
     
• US-funded global AIDS programs
  
  Key MSMGF advocacy efforts target United States Government-funded global AIDS programs under the auspices of PEPFAR and the Global Health Initiative by means of face-to-face advocacy on Capitol Hill, and leadership of the MSM Policy Working Group. MSMGF Policy Associate Krista Lauer serves as Co-Chair of this group, seated at  the Global AIDS Roundtable, convened by the Global Health Council.
  
  
  • Upon the releases of the new PEPFAR MSM Guidance, the MSMGF issued a press release, entitled "MSMGF Encouraged by New PEPFAR Guidance on HIV Prevention for MSM."
     
  • In May 2011, in collaboration with the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office, the MSMGF brought several of its Steering Committee members from Africa to Washington to speak with staff members on Capitol Hill about the urgent need to release PEPFAR Guidance on MSM and the relationship between stigma, discrimination, human rights abuses and HIV.
     
  • In January 2011, the MSMGF collaborated with the MSM Policy Working Group to issued a sign-on letter urging the U.S. Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator to release MSM Guidance for PEPFAR Implementers.  The initiative garnered support from over 140 organizations from 50 countries worldwide.
     
  • In September 2009, the MSMGF partnered with UNAIDS and other members of the HIV Policy Working Group on MSM and other Sexual Minorities to hold a Congressional Forum on HIV, Human Rights and Men Who Have Sex with Men on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.
     
• MSMGF-led Sign-on Letters
  
  • In May 2012, the MSMGF developed a collaborative community sign-on letter urging the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria to uphold its commitments to sexual orientation & gender identity (SOGI) issues and human rights.  A total of 140 organizations from around the world endorsed the letter, which was sent to The Global Fund’s General Manager, Mr. Gabriel Jaramillo, with copies to the Chair, Vice-Chair and Members of the Global Fund Board, on May 8th 2012.
     
• WHO Guidelines on HIV and STIs for MSM & Transgender Persons
  
  The MSMGF is collaborating with the World Health Organization in helping develop guidelines for the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among MSM and transgender people in low- and middle-income countries. MSMGF Executive Officer Dr. George Ayala serves on the WHO Advisory Work Group dedicated to this project.
  
  
  • As part of this collaboration, the MSMGF has conducted original research and produced a report for the WHO entitled In Our Own Words - Preferences, Values and Perspectives on HIV Prevention and Treatment: A Civil Society Consultation with MSM & Transgender People.
     
• Advocacy for Key Populations at the International AIDS Conference
  
  
  • The MSMGF conducted an independent audit of key population coverage at the International AIDS Conference, revealing gross underrepresentation of populations most-at-risk for HIV.
     
• Millennium Development Goals
  
  The MSMGF was among a group of global AIDS advocates who achieved consensus on a list of key demands that will help accelerate global progress to achievement of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.
   

• Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)
  
  
  • In early 2011, Ifeanyi Orazulike, a member of the MSMGF Youth Reference Group, was appointed to the Communities Delegation to the Global Fund.  In advance of the Global Fund Partnership Forum, the MSMGF has worked to connect Ifeanyi with other members of the MSMGF around the world to help inform his advocacy by sharing their experiences with the Global Fund.
     
  • The MSMGF continues to advocate for greater involvement of MSM in GFATM decision making, as well as greater coverage of MSM in proposals funded by the GFATM.  The MSMGF's advocacy around these issues has included two position statements (below) and translating GFATM calls for input into French, Russian and Spanish.
    
    
    • [May 3, 2011] New Analysis of HIV Proposals from Global Fund Rounds 8, 9 and 10 Shows Progress, Reveals Gaps
       
    • [March 17, 2010] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) calls for greater inclusion of MSM advocates in country-led HIV planning and decision-making bodies
       
• Advocacy with Transgender Persons
  
  The MSMGF issued a position statement advocating for the depathologization of transgender identities and calling on the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization to eliminate a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder from their psychiatric manuals. We hope to establish a Transgender Reference Group to the MSMGF soon.

Policy Publications

• Reaching MSM in the Global HIV and AIDS Epidemic
  
  The MSMGF’s debut policy brief released in February 2010, this document provides a broad introduction to HIV among gay men and other MSM around the world and identifies key strategic areas that are essential to turning the tide of the epidemic.
  
  (Available in English, French, Russian and Spanish)
   
• Social Discrimination Against Men Who Have Sex With Men: Implications for HIV Policy and Programs
  
  Released on the International Day Against Homophobia in May 2010, this document speaks to the established linkages between discrimination and vulnerability to HIV. 
  
  (Available in English, French, Russian and Spanish)
   
• HIV Prevention with MSM: Balancing Evidence with Rights-based Principles of Practice
  
  The MSMGF released this policy brief in June 2010, outlining various evidence-based HIV prevention practices for MSM being implemented and investigated worldwide.  This brief underscores that truly effective strategies require the integration of rights-based principles with combination HIV prevention approaches. 
  
  (Available in Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish)
   
• Engaging with Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Clinical Setting: A Primer for Physicians, Nurses and Other Health Care Providers
  
  Released in May 2011, this primer aims to improve the quality of clinical care for MSM by providing basic knowledge about homosexuality and MSM health needs, as well as offering a set of principles for effective engagement of MSM in a healthcare setting.
  
  (Available in English, French, Russian and Spanish)
   

Open Letters and Statements

• [June 4, 2012] Justice for Erick Martínez
   
• [May 9, 2011] Uganda Update: Statement from the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights & Constitutional Law
   
• [May 9, 2011] Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill Hits Parliament
   
• [March 21, 2011] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV supports FDA review of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
   
• [February 2, 2011] MSMGF Welcomes CDC’s Interim PrEP Guidance for MSM in the United States
   
• [January 27, 2011] MSMGF Condemns Vicious Murder of David Kato
  
  
• [December 16, 2010] Arc International Action Alert: December 20 Vote at UN on Protecting LGBT People from Extrajudicial Executions (Translated by the MSMGF into Chinese, French, Portuguese, and Russian)
   
• [November 23, 2010] New PrEP Findings Represent Important Progress, Point to Daunting Challenges in HIV Prevention for Gay Men
  
  
• [November 15, 2010] The MSMGF urges global donors to report investments for most-at-risk populations, ensure funding contributions align with disease burden
  
  
• [September 30, 2010] Arbitrary Arrests of Gay Men in China Violate Human Rights, Undermine Effective HIV Prevention and Treatment
   
• [September 19, 2010] The MSMGF calls on Nepal’s Home Ministry to issue citizenship cards to transgender people and metis in accordance with 2007 Supreme Court ruling (pdf)
   
• [July 24, 2010] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV welcomes positive results of PrEP safety trial among MSM
   
• [July 20, 2010] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV Stands with Global HIV Advocates in Congratulating CAPRISA on Prevention Breakthrough
   
• [May 21, 2010] MSMGF Outraged at 14 Year Imprisonment of Monjeza and Chimbalanga in Malawi  (pdf)
   
• [May 18, 2010] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) Condemns Ruling against Same-Sex Couple in Malawi (pdf)
   
• [May 17, 2010] Homophobia in the Age of AIDS - Letter from the MSMGF's Executive Officer on the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO)
   
• [April 20, 2010] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) supports worldwide advocacy efforts to depathologize transgender identities (pdf)
   
• [March 17, 2010] The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) calls for greater inclusion of MSM advocates in country-led HIV planning and decision-making bodies (pdf)
   
• [March 5, 2010] Open letter to the HIV and public health community in Uganda urging organizations providing HIV-related services to speak out against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (pdf)
   
• [February 5, 2010]  The Global Forum on MSM & HIV Applauds Congressional Resolutions against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Public Statements by President Obama and Secretary Clinton (pdf)
  • Letter to Obama administration and key international HIV/AIDS support mechanisms (pdf)
  • Letter to Museveni administration (pdf)
  • Individual sign-on letter (pdf)
• [January 27, 2010] The MSMGF calls on new administration in Honduras to condemn extreme levels of violence against gay community
  • Statement (Spanish, English)
  • Letter to President Lobo (Spanish, English)
• [December 16, 2009] The MSMGF Calls on Rwanda to Oppose Efforts to Criminalize Homosexuality  (pdf)
   
• [October 26, 2009] Letter to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda (pdf)
   
• [January 15, 2009] MSMGF Statement: Jail sentences for gay men in Senegal undermine human rights and the fight against AIDS (pdf)
   
• [November 25, 2008] The Global Forum on MSM and HIV's letter to Son Excellence, Honorable Président du Sénat, Gervais Rufyikiri of Burundi regarding proposed discriminatory legislation in the Burundian penal code (pdf)
   
• [October 6, 2008] MSMGF Statement: The MSMGF condemns hostility towards LGBT community in Sarajevo; Calls for Government Accountability to Human Rights Statutes (pdf)
   
• [June 5, 2008] MSMGF Statement: The MSMGF Condemns the Arrests of Ugandan LGBT AIDS Activists (pdf)