MSMGF - The Global Forum on MSM & HIV

Endorse the REPEAL Act!
 
DEADLINE: 5 PM EASTERN, TUESDAY, MAY 7
This year, Congresswoman Barbara Lee will reintroduce the REPEAL Act with bipartisan support. If passed, this act will be a key step towards ending unfair and unjust HIV criminalization laws in the United States by:
•    Working with state stakeholders (i.e., state attorneys general, state public health officials, people living with HIV, legal advocacy and service organizations) to review laws, policies and cases that impose criminal liability on people living with HIV;
•    Developing a set of best practices for the treatment of HIV in criminal and civil commitment cases;
•    Issuing guidance to states based on those best practices;
•    Monitoring whether/how states change policies consistent with that guidance.
To find out more about the REPEAL Act, please see this fact sheet.

Show your support for the REPEAL Act! List your organization as an endorser by filling out this form by COB May7, 2013.  Endorsements will continue to be open after the introduction of the bill.
________________________________________
REPEAL Act History
Last Congress, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) introduced the Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal HIV Discrimination Act, or REPEAL Act. The 2011 Repeal Act expressed the sense of Congress that federal and state laws, policies, and regulations regarding people living with HIV/AIDS should:
1.    Not place unique or additional burdens on such individuals solely as a result of their HIV status
2.    Demonstrate a public health-oriented, evidence-based, medically accurate, and contemporary understanding of HIV transmission, health implications, treatment, and the impact of punitive HIV-specific laws and policies on affected people, families, and communities.

It received the support of 41 Members of Congress and nearly 80 organizations.

Date/Time: May 7, 2013 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)

Faculty: Kevin Ard, MD, MPH, Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Description: Health care providers now have an expanding number of effective HIV prevention tools at their fingertips, including behavioral and biomedical interventions. This session provides step by step guidance on how clinicians can be most effective at preventing new HIV infections in high-risk MSM and transgender patients. Included is a discussion of evidence-based High Impact HIV Prevention Programs as recommended by the CDC, and how best to optimize implementation of HIV prevention programs in patient centered medical homes (PCMH) and other primary care settings.

Available Funding
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is pleased to announce new funding for innovative projects that focus on innovative combination interventions that increase access to HIV prevention and STI prevention and treatment for gay men, other men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals (GMT) in the Balkans (non-EU), South Caucuses and Central Asia. Grassroots organizations led by or closely linked to men who have sex with men (MSM) or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in low- and middle-income countries in the Balkans (non-EU), South Caucuses and Central Asia are encouraged to submit relevant proposals. Funds for this round of awards are made available through the general support of amfAR.

Each organization may apply for an award of up to $15,000 USD to support project-related costs for up to 12 months. Only one application may be submitted per organization. Proposals for general operating support will not be considered. 

Approximately 105,000 USD is available; amfAR anticipates funding up to seven proposals. Funding recommendations will be announced in July 2013. Organizations that are approved for awards can expect to receive funds to begin activities as early as September 2013.

Funding Priorities and Areas of Interest
This request for proposals (RFP) solicits proposals for innovative community-led projects relevant to reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS among gay men, other MSM, and/or transgender individuals (GMT).

Regional priorities have been determined in advance of issuing the RFP by surveying a wide range of community-based colleagues with experience and expertise in the region. Based on the survey, only proposals that address the following types of programming will be considered:

Projects that focus on systems change --:

Innovative combination interventions that increase access to HIV prevention and STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention and treatment for GMT, including any combination of the following:

    Increased access to HIV/STI testing, including monitoring follow-up, linkages to care, and documenting results
    Increased access to HIV care, particularly ARV treatment for GMT who are positive (ideally linked with adherence counseling and secondary prevention)
    Decreasing stigma and discrimination for GMT in healthcare and other social service settings (public and private) through various means including but not limited to provider education and sensitization training
    Distribution of condoms and condom-compatible lubricant
    Monitoring and documenting episodes of stigma and discrimination for GMT in public healthcare and other social service settings, and producing a report for broader dissemination and advocacy efforts 
    Advocacy related efforts to inform and increase support for GMT/HIV programming and policies among key stakeholders at the local and/or national level.

Recognizing the increased challenges faced by transgender communities and GMT living with HIV throughout the Balkans (non-EU), South Caucuses and Central Asia, relevant projects that include transgender communities and/or GMT living with HIV will be given prioritized attention.

Projects that do not focus on combination interventions will not be considered for funding.  

Since amfAR’s investment is relatively modest, priority will also be given to projects that can be sustained after the conclusion of amfAR funding, and help to inform local, national, regional, or international advocacy activities. Each proposal must clearly explain the involvement of local MSM/LGBT communities in project design, development, implementation, and evaluation, and have a clear monitoring and evaluation plan.

The GMT Initiative will provide support for organizational development activities if they are directly related to the project and linked to longer-term goals related to HIV among GMT. In addition, amfAR provides successful applicants with technical and capacity-building assistance, which may include organizational development activities if needed.

As always, the GMT Initiative is receptive to feedback and suggestions regarding the RFP and application process, so please do not hesitate to let us know what you think. 

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

    Community-based organizations located in low-and middle-income countries in the Balkans (non-EU), South Caucuses and Central Asia  (click here to see list of eligible countries);
    Non-profit organizations (e.g., NGOs, CBOs, and other charitable organizations) that are the equivalent of U.S. tax-exempt non-profit organizations;
    Organizations comprised of MSM or LGBT community members and/or that have established links to MSM/LGBT communities and experience directly involving members of those communities in the development and implementation of programs and activities;
    Organizations with strong management and leadership;
    Organizations with capacity to carry out the proposed activities and effectively manage award funds.

Who Is Not Eligible and SHOULD NOT APPLY?

    Individuals;
    Government organizations or units;
    For-profit organizations;
    Organizations based in countries that are not on the list of eligible countries;
    Organizations with annual operating budgets of more than $1 million USD;
    Organizations that do not involve MSM or LGBT community members in the development and implementation of programs and activities.

Previous Award Recipients
amfAR encourages current GMT Initiative community award recipient organizations to re-apply, recognizing systems change takes time.  Proposals that are relevant to the focus of this RFP that are submitted by current GMT Initiative community award recipients will be prioritized for funding. Applications should include a summary of work completed to date, accomplishments resulting from current amfAR funding, and describe how the organization plans to build upon successes or challenges from prior awards.

Sponsor Organizations
Grassroots groups that are not yet formally registered may consider partnering with a “sponsor” organization that is eligible to receive funding. The sponsor organization would receive and manage funds, provide general oversight for execution of the funded project, and potentially provide technical support to the applicant. In such cases, the non-registered organization should apply directly. However, the application should clearly identify the sponsor organization, describe in detail all technical support that the sponsor will provide (including monitoring and oversight of expenditures), and include a letter of agreement from the sponsor.

Background
The GMT Initiative (formerly the MSM Initiative) was established by amfAR in 2007 and benefits from collaboration with various international and regional agencies including UNDP, UNAIDS, Johns Hopkins University – Center for Public Health and Human Rights, the Global Forum on MSM & HIV, and other partners. The GMT Initiative’s community awards program seeks to reduce the spread and impact of HIV among GMT individuals by providing vital support to grassroots GMT efforts that are committed to advocating with and serving individuals whose needs have often been ignored. For more information about the GMT Initiative, visit www.amfar.org/gmt/

Review Process
Funding decisions will be based upon recommendations generated by community-based peer review involving experts in the region who have the same or similar expertise, perspectives, and focus on HIV among GMT as the applicants. 

Forms and Instructions
Please use the links below to download a copy of this RFP, the application and budget and justification forms, and instructions. Please carefully read all of the instructions before you start. The instructions include all of the information necessary for the proper preparation and submission of a successful proposal.

Application and budget and justification forms may be submitted in English and Russian. For application and budget and justification forms prepared in a language other than English, amfAR requires that both the original language version and an English translation also be submitted.  Even an approximate translation such as one made using an Internet translation engine (e.g., Google translate) is required.  If a translation is not provided, the proposal may not be accepted for review.  Copies of both the original language version of the proposal and the translated English version will be provided to community peer reviewers.  Please make sure your submission includes the original language version of your proposal. 

Applicants must also provide the names and contact information of at least three external references who are familiar with the organization and its work but who are not affiliated with the organization or the project for which funding is requested. Please do not include letters of support or other documents from your references. References may or may not be contacted as part of the proposal review.

    Application form (Microsoft Word document)

    Budget and justification form (Microsoft Excel document)

    RFP (PDF document)

    Application instructions (PDF)

Application Submission

E-mail submission (preferred)
E-mail the completed application as an attachment to:
msm.awards@amfAR.org

Maximum incoming file size is 5 MB. If application packet files are larger than 5MB, we suggest you use a utility such as YouSendIt (www.yousendit.com), a secure online file sharing software that allows you to easily send large files and email attachments. YouSendIt has a free service option.

Hard copy submission
Send by mail or courier to:
amfAR / GMT Initiative Community Awards
120 Wall Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10005-3908 USA
Please remember to mail or ship hard copy submissions with adequate time for delivery by deadline.

All applications (e-mail or hard copy) must be received no later than:

May 8, 2013, 5:00 p.m. in New York City, USA (UTC 21:00)
 
Deadlines are strictly observed. Applications that are received late, are incomplete, or exceed page or budget limitations (see instructions) will not be reviewed. Proposals may include citations, listed references, and resumes (curricula vitae) for key personnel. Web links to important documents and articles may be listed, but they should not be included as physical attachments.

Applicants are encouraged to e-mail msm.awards@amfAR.org if they have any questions or seek advice about this RFP, program design, or the application requirements.

Confidentiality and Communications
Throughout the review and award process, amfAR routinely respects the privacy of the applicant and is committed to protecting from disclosure any confidential or proprietary information contained in a submitted proposal.

However, the GMT Initiative also recognizes that many organizations working to address HIV among GMT individuals are doing this work in complex and sometimes dangerous or volatile social, political, and legal environments. Groups that require special measures to protect confidentiality, particularly due to security and safety concerns, should indicate this need in the application for funding. In such instances we will inform reviewers that extra confidentiality is needed, and we will limit what we communicate about your organization with other funders, partners, and the public. Indicating that extra confidentiality is not needed means that we will maintain routine confidentiality about the funding proposal, but will feel free to communicate about the proposal and the organization to other funders and partners in the interest of mobilizing support.

While we will make every effort to ensure confidentiality in these situations, amfAR, the GMT Initiative, and its partners cannot guarantee complete confidentiality and/or be held liable for the disclosure of information that causes harm to individuals or groups associated with funded projects. Groups should be aware that any information provided carries the risk of being shared publicly through open dialogue about funding priorities, peer review processes, and communications about GMT Initiative directions, decisions, and reported outcomes. Submission of a funding application is deemed to indicate the applicant’s understanding and acceptance of these risks.

Requirements and Restrictions
The GMT Initiative aims to encourage, support, and document activities of the highest quality. Therefore, all organizations funded by the GMT Initiative will be required to provide interim and year-end progress reports of program activities and expenditures. Organizations should be able and ready to document appropriate financial and accounting controls, including measures to prevent duplicated use or misappropriation of funds. Any renewal of funding will be contingent upon careful adherence to these reporting requirements. In addition, the GMT Initiative will work with partners within the region to be in contact with award recipients, to monitor and document any needs for technical support and assistance, and, if possible, to provide this support.

Funding for the GMT Initiative is made possible primarily through the private donations of individuals and philanthropic foundations. The GMT Initiative will report regularly to these funding partners about the use of funding and all supported organizations and activities (except where confidentiality is specifically requested).

Pre-Award Due-Diligence
Applicants whose proposals are recommended for funding will be required to submit the documents listed below in the original language and in English as part of the pre-award due diligence review and eligibility verification.

Registration certificate or other document demonstrating legal recognition of nonprofit or similar status
Organization bylaws, charter or other document describing the organization’s purpose, governance structure, etc. Audited or certified financial statements for the most recently ended year; if such statement is not available then a list of grants and other revenue will be required.

These documents should NOT be submitted with the application. They should be submitted only if requested.  Applicants should, however, be prepared to submit the documents within three weeks if their proposal is recommended for funding.

Meeting Description:

The fourth webinar in our series addressing a range of topics in HIV prevention research, hosted jointly by NAM and AVAC, will look at the current situation regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Europe and the US.
We will discuss the ongoing IPERGAY study in France and the PROUD study in England, as well as reviewing progress in the NEXT-PrEP and demonstration studies in the US. It will also discuss the implications of the negative results of the recent VOICE trial. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session with our expert speakers.

Questions can be submitted in advance to gus@nam.org.uk. The webinar will be 90 minutes long and chaired by Gus Cairns of NAM.
 

CVC/COIN is calling for proposals for Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM), Sex Worker, Marginalised Youth, and Drug User Projects that address HIV and AIDS
As we enter into Phase II of the Vulnerabilised Groups Project, we are calling on civil society and community organisations to submit proposals for projects that address HIV and AIDS in populations of MSM, Sex Workers, Marginalised Youth and Drug-Users.  In Phase II, we will prioritise community groups who have successfully implemented projects in Phase I in the interest of building on promising practices and projects developed in Phase I.  We will also carefully consider organisations with new, radical, innovative and creative approaches to reaching vulnerabilised groups in the Caribbean.  In Phase I we researched and consulted with civil society about best practice approaches to working with vulnerabilised groups and have used this evidence to guide the types of initiatives we will fund in Phase II.

If you are a non-governmental or community organisation based in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Haiti, Suriname or Guyana take a look at our Call for Proposals. The deadline for applications is 17th May 2013.
 

Dream and think creatively!

CVC/COIN is calling for proposals for Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM), Sex Worker, Marginalised Youth, and Drug User Projects that address HIV and AIDS

As we enter into Phase II of the Vulnerabilised Groups Project, we are calling on civil society and community organisations to submit proposals for projects that address HIV and AIDS in populations of MSM, Sex Workers, Marginalised Youth and Drug-Users. In Phase II, we will prioritise community groups who have successfully implemented projects in Phase I in the interest of building on promising practices and projects developed in Phase I. We will also carefully consider organisations with new, radical, innovative and creative approaches to reaching vulnerabilised groups in the Caribbean. In Phase I we researched and consulted with civil society about best practice approaches to working with vulnerabilised groups and have used this evidence to guide the types of initiatives we will fund in Phase II.

If you are a non-governmental or community organisation based in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Haiti, Suriname or Guyana take a look at our Call for Proposals. The deadline for applications is 17th May 2013.

Combining the expertise of the
UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health
and the
World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

The National Transgender Health Summit aims to provide a multidisciplinary program presenting cutting edge research in transgender health and evidence based clinical training curricula for healthcare providers of all backgrounds.

CEUs, CMEs, and UCSF Course Credit offered.
 

Oakland Marriott City Center
1001 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
Host Hotel Website  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakdt-oakland-marriott-city-center/?toDate=5/18/13&groupCode=uocuoca&stop_mobi=yes&fromDate=5/16/13&app=resvlink

2013 NATIONAL TRANSGENDER HEALTH SUMMIT
• Check-in: Thu May 16, 2013
• Check-out: Sat May 18, 2013
• Special rate available until: Thu Apr 25, 2013
OAKLAND MARRIOTT CITY CENTERKing or Double Bedded Rooms $124 per night

For website registration issues, please contact Jeff Whitman at jeff@wpath.org

For all other inquiries, including volunteer opportunities, please contact Charlie DeVries at Charlie.DeVries@ucsf.edu
 

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) is the global network for and by people
living with HIV. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV through a
powerful and united worldwide social movement of people living with HIV, putting their leadership
and voices at the centre of the HIV response. The goal is equitable access to health and social
services for people living with HIV by focusing on social justice, rights and involvement.
GNP+ is the only global network working for all people living with HIV. GNP+ supports people living
with HIV through their organisations and networks by undertaking its daily work through an
International Secretariat, under the guidance and oversight of an International Board of people
living with HIV. Since its creation in 1986, GNP+’s core activities have centered on advocacy,
information and knowledge management, and network and community strengthening.
We would like to recruit a highly qualified candidate for the following position; we especially
welcome applications from people living with HIV and women, but other well qualified candidates
are very welcome to apply.

GNP+ Vacancy
Post External Relations & Communications Officer
Deadline 26 May 2013
Starting date As soon as possible
Duty Station Amsterdam

How to apply for this post:
1. Please read this document fully
2. For further information about GNP+, please visit www.gnpplus.net
3. Please provide the following :
a. CV or Resume: this should include as a minimum your full name, address, gender,
nationality, age, current and previous relevant work experience, education, references.
b. Covering letter: no more than two pages detailing how you meet the expertise and
competencies required of this post as well as how you would deliver on the key duties and
responsibilities expected of you. Please state your availability for telephone interview and
when, if successful, you could take up this post;
c. Profile: relevant examples of your work (writing, websites, campaigns, etc.)
4. Please send your application to: GNP+, Administrative Assistant, P.O. Box 11726, 1001 GS
Amsterdam. Tel: +31 20 4234114. Fax: +31 20 4234224. E-mail: rjones@gnpplus.net by 26
May 2013. (Note all applications must be received by email or regular post by 26 May 2013.
Those applications postmarked – but not received by – 26 May 2013 will not be considered.)

External Relations & Communications Officer
Our External Relations & Communications Officer plays a significant role in achieving GNP+’s
goals. The successful candidate will need the experience to deliver successful media and external
relations in a competitive environment. They must bring their own judgment on how and when their
work can have its best impact and guide their colleagues accordingly. They must have vision and
provide leadership in the organisation’s communications and media relations.
They must be able to work with networks of people living with HIV, and international partners and
agencies including UNAIDS, the Global Fund and WHO. The successful applicant will demonstrate
a commitment to improving the quality of life of people living with HIV.
GNP+ is looking for skills and experience in the following areas:
o Strong writing and editing skills
o Media and public relations
o Strategic planning for communications
o Website development and maintenance and the wider use of new media
o Campaign development and management
The External Relations and Communications Officer will be expected to undertake the following
duties:
- Leading on the GNP+ communication strategy (including corporate and brand
management), coordinating its review and implementation;
- Developing and maintaining relations with a range of international media, in particular those
covering HIV, health and human rights;
- Acting as Press Officer for specific projects and events, including international conferences;
- Monitoring developments in the international HIV response and media; developments and
drafting GNP+ press releases and responses as appropriate;
- Proactively disseminating GNP+ policy positions and programmatic successes to relevant
stakeholders, including policymakers, the media, networks of people living with HIV, key
population networks, partners and donors;
- Providing communication support to all three programmatic teams (Global Advocacy,
Knowledge Management and Community Development), as necessary;
- Creating and managing the GNP+ websites, currently eight focused on organisations,
programmes and campaigns (including translation in various languages);
- Producing an electronic newsletter in various languages to profile GNP+’s policy positions
and programmatic activities;
- Supporting the coordination of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
(www.candlelightmemorial.org);
- Integrating GNP+ policies and positions into existing advocacy efforts (such as “People
Living with HIV are…” and HIV Advocacy Now www.hivadvocacynow.org);
- Delivering mechanisms for the consultation of people living with HIV using new technology;
- Leading on the development of annual work plans and annual reports and supporting the
writing of funding proposals;

- Developing and maintaining a database of networks of people living with HIV, key
population networks, NGO partners and donors;
Competencies
- Vision, creativity and strategic planning skills;
- Ability to work in an international setting with different partners/audiences in different
settings/cultures, from small CBOs to international agencies;
- Good understanding and sensitivity to political and societal processes within the HIV
response;
- Ability to plan, collaborate and coordinate multiple projects in an effective and timely
manner;
- Ability to recognise and act upon opportunities to promote GNP+ successes and further
advocacy efforts in accordance with the GNP+ Global Advocacy Strategy and the PLHIV
Global Advocacy Agenda;
- Ability to prepare clear, concise and informative media materials, correspondence and
other written materials;
- High level of proficiency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of a second language
(Spanish, French, or Russian) will be an advantage.
Person specification
- Strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision in the conceptualisation,
planning, management, implementation and monitoring of communication activities;
- People living with HIV are strongly encouraged to apply;
- Due to the composition of the team, all else being equal, our preference is for a female
candidate.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess an advanced degree (or equivalent expertise) in communications
or another relevant field and have a minimum of 5 years working experience, preferably in an
international not-for-profit setting, and including experience with media relations.

Remuneration/Contract
Depending on professional background and experience, the indicative annual salary is from
€37,575 to €51,239 per year, depending on qualifications and experience and subject to
deductions of contributions to the Pension and Health Insurance Schemes. Other benefits include
a generous benefit package and a flexible work environment. The initial contract is for a fixed term
of one year, renewable.

GNP+ retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment
at a lower grade in particular if the selected candidate has less than the required qualifications or to
make an appointment with a modified job description or for a shorter duration than indicated above.
ONLY shortlisted candidates will be notified.

NOTE: If the position is based in Amsterdam, the government of The Netherlands requires that
GNP+ solicit first from the European Union member states. If no candidate is found from the EU,
candidates outside of the EU may be asked for an interview. If the successful candidate of this
selection process is from outside the EU, GNP+ will do everything within its power to support the
application of a work permit for the candidate. However, the final decision is that of the government
of The Netherlands and is outside of GNP+’s control.