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Gay Men's Health can be contacted at the above address and/or phone number. Please use the e-mail form to contact us. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.

Events, resources and work on the gay scene

Scene, events & resources

> main scene page
> past events
> pride events
> published resources
> core magazine (bimonthly magazine produced by Gay Men's Health)
> annual reports

Work on the commercial gay scene

In order for Gay Men’s Health to work effectively it is essential for us to be known and trusted by the gay community. Through liaising with bar owners/staff, customers, advertising, the distribution of informative materials and condoms and lubricant, Gay Men’s Health have achieved a good relationship with gay men in Edinburgh and Lothian.

We use different methods of contacting men through the gay scene. For example, the Safer Sex Surfers, our own community magazine Core (which is distributed throughout Scotland), safer sex materials, advertising in magazines and through staff of venues. Events that have taken place include participation in the annual Scottish Gay Pride events, sauna events, quiz nights, Halloween nights and Valentine Parties. All venues are tremendously supportive and we would not be able to run these events without the continued support of the gay venues.

Of course, another vital area of work is the distribution of condoms and lubricant on the scene. On average we distribute around 150,000 sachets of lube and 135,000 condoms per year! These go to 14 venues and can also be picked up at the Gay Men’s Health office for those who may not want to pick them up in a bar/café. Condoms can also be delivered to your door free of charge – visit Healthy Gay Scotland’s website at www.healthygayscotland.com

Look out for two new resources soon to be released. The Good Gay Sex Guide and also a guide to legal rights for gay men.

If you would like to become involved with the PREvents, production of resources, or have time to spare to help deliver condoms around the venues – please contact Paul Robertson using the contact page.

The Real Story

(a video for newly diagnosed men)

Gay Men’s Health and Waverley Care SOLAS facilitated a group of gay men living with HIV to help them produce a video for newly diagnosed men. The video includes interviews about living with HIV as well as some information on the services that are available. The video is given to newly diagnosed men by the GUM and HIV Counselling Clinics in Edinburgh.

The Russian Project

Gay Men's Health was approached in 2001 by a Russian organisation called Assistance 2000, who worked in Sverdlovsk Oblast on the edge of Siberia and were looking for help in reducing the numbers of new HIV infections in their area. 300 people were being diagnosed each month, and there was a high rate of suicide amongst those diagnosed.

A joint project was set up, with funding from the Department for International Development for initiatives to reduce the number of new infections, and to provide better support to those already living with HIV.

> more...

Life Stuff 03 at Pride Scotia

The Testing Barriers Project at GMH co-ordinated a series of health promotion events in the LGBT venues in Edinburgh to coincide with Pride Scotia on 19 July. Volunteers staffed the GMH stall at the Health and Community Fair which featured information on HIV stigma and prejudice and the pros and cons of HIV testing. All of the LGBT and “gay friendly” venues in the city participated in the event and prominently displayed posters and information on the effects of HIV prejudice and discrimination. GMH volunteers distributed over 1,000 leaflets on HIV testing in the various venues and chatted with customers about the pros and cons of testing and how to get a test in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

> CLICK HERE for photos

Steve O'Donnell

Last updated 14th July 2004

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