PROGRAMS

The MSMGF has a broad portfolio of programmatic activities that are consistent with our core operating principles. Our efforts include networking activities, research, technical assistance and capacity building, and cultural production:

Networking, Events & Activities

The MSMGF regularly supports gatherings of MSM, advocates, activists, researchers, health officials and key stakeholders in the global effort for human rights and against HIV. From collegial introductions to strategic partnerships and multi-session intensive summits, the MSMGF helps to serve as connective tissue for this global movement.

• MSMGF Webinar Series
  
  The MSMGF works to produce a series of webinars to encourage information exchange between our global constituents and partners. Topics range from emerging HIV prevention strategies to innovative research and advocacy updates. Presenters include thought leaders from various sectors of the AIDS community. View previous webinars below:
  
  • The New Global Fund Equity Assessment Process: What MSM Advocates Need To Know
     
  • The PEPFAR Technical Guidance on HIV Prevention for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)
     
  • Treatment 2.0: What MSM Need to Know About Recent Changes
     
  • Surveying Access to HIV Prevention Services: What MSM Are Telling Us
     
  • Preparing for PrEP and other Antiretroviral-Based Prevention (Audio, PowerPoint Presentation)
    In partnership with AVAC
     
  • Serosorting and Strategic Positioning: Harm Reduction Strategies for Gay Men and Other MSM
     
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): The Basics That MSM Should Know
     
  • Recent Developments in HIV Diagnostics and Testing
     
  • Preliminary Results from the 2012 Global Health and Rights Survey: What MSM Are Telling Us.  I would like to link to these files on the program page
     
• The MSMGF Pre-Conference to the International AIDS Conference
  
  The MSMGF has produced a biennial MSMGF Pre-Conference before each International AIDS Conference since 2004. Find materials for the events here:
  • 2012 Event
  • 2010 Event 
     
• Speaking Out Advocacy Initiative
  
  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.
  
   
• MSMGF Youth Sub-Committee
  
  Over the past year the MSMGF has established a standing Sub-Committee of youth advocates all over the world to help guide the MSMGF’s work to promote the health and human rights of young MSM globally.  The Sub-Committee meets once a month by phone to discuss the MSMGF’s youth agenda.
   
• Regional Network Support
  
  The MSMGF provides support to regional networks of MSM, transgender people, and other sexual minorities in a variety of ways.  Most recently the MSMGF supported the work of a consultant to work with the African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR) to assess the capacity of its member organizations.
   

Research

The MSMGF believes that ethical, rigorous and inclusive research is central to the fight against HIV.  The MSMGF contributes to the global body of knowledge on MSM and HIV by activating targeted sections of a robust global network to collaborate on survey projects, key correspondent interviews, and other important research initiatives.

• Research on HIV Prevention Strategies
  
  To help increase understanding of the HIV prevention knowledge and needs of MSM globally, the MSMGF is currently conducting a multilingual survey among MSM and MSM service providers around the world.  Available in Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish, the survey asks about a host of HIV-prevention strategies both well-established and emerging, as well as questions focused on the social realities for MSM in all regions.  Preliminary findings will be presented at the Be Heard! MSM Pre-Conference, followed by a full report to be published and disseminated later this year.
   
• Assessing MSM and Transgender Values and Preferences Regarding HIV-Related Services
  
  The MSMGF is partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a set of priority interventions for the prevention and treatment of HIV and other STI for MSM and transgender people focusing on the health sector in low- and middle-income countries.  The publication will act as a guidance document for national public health officials and managers as well as community based organizations engaging in HIV and STI prevention work with sexual minorities.
  
  UNDP Consultation – Belarus
  
  The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) contracted the MSMGF to produce a report assessing the existing, Round 3 Global Fund supported, Belarusian national HIV prevention program targeting MSM to determine its overall strengths and weaknesses.  The report evaluated overall program capacities as well as its level of accessibility, quality of monitoring and evaluation, and its use of international prevention standards and best practices in its work with MSM.  A final set of recommendations for improving HIV prevention services for MSM were included.

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

In an effort to support essential local programs and initiatives, the MSMGF provides technical assistance and capacity building services for MSM and advocates worldwide.

• Round 10 Global Fund Proposal - Latin America
  
  The MSMGF is currently providing technical assistance to the Coalition of Central American Gay Organizations  and The Asociacion para la Salud Integral y la Ciudadania de America Latina y el Caribe in the development of a proposal for Round 10 of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
  
  MSMGF staff contribute with coordination of activities and tasks, review and synthesis of information and keeps ongoing communication with CONGA members and principal consultant responsible for writing the technical proposal.  MSMGF staff have also participated in face to face meetings to consult with key stakeholders in the region to gather information about regional conditions and country conditions to be addressed by the proposal. The final proposal will be submitted to the Global Fund on August 20th.
   
• Heart Talk Support Groups - China
  
  The MSMGF is collaborating with AIDS Relief Fund for China (ARFC) in the development and evaluation of Heart Talk, a small-group style HIV intervention for Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM).  In January, 2010, staff from the MSMGF and ARFC traveled to China to conduct trainings on program implementation and evaluation with 28 grassroots organizations working with MSM.  The program is currently in its third year.
   
• Abstract Assistance at International Conferences
  
  The MSMGF has provided technical assistance to individuals submitting MSM-focused abstracts to the last two International AIDS Conferences.  The majority of program participants were submitting abstracts to a major conference for the first time.  Seventy-five percent of abstracts submitted by program participants to AIDS 2008 were accepted for presentation.  For the AIDS 2010 program, the acceptance rate rose to 80 percent.

Cultural Production

From this website to publications to animated videos to the commissioning of original artwork, the MSMGF is committed to cultural production. By this we mean people working together to make things and shape their own realities. Ideas, images, publications, momentum, social change. We want to tell stories with you, share pictures, discover new insights, and support the immense creativity of MSM worldwide. We want to make meaning together. If you’ve got creative writing, ideas or artwork, please let us know!  To view examples of our cultural productions, visit our Publications page!