Campaigns for Black gay men

Black and Black British gay men in the UK have higher rates of HIV infection than any other ethnic group, almost twice as much as White British gay men 1. Big Up, the Black gay men's volunteer group at GMFA, has carried out research on the sexual health needs of Black gay men in an attempt to address some of the health inequalities these men face and create better campaigns for Black men who have sex with men.

Big Up's interventions include:

Beyond Labels

Directed by Jaime Sylla, project manager for GMFA's Big Up project, 'Beyond Labels' premiered at the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2010. The film explores Black gay male experience in London, from Gay Lib pioneer Ted Walker Brown to more recent arrivals on the scene. Tales of friendship and support underlie an investigation into the creation of a sense of community.

The Big Update

Big Up published 'The Big Update', a report on the sexual health needs of Black gay men and Black men who have sex with men. 'The Big Update' collects data from previous papers and reports relating to the sexual health needs of Black gay men, alongside data gathered through Big Up's own online survey, and a series of questionnaires and case studies completed by Big Up volunteers and other Black gay men who shared their experiences of sexual health services. Copies of 'The Big Update' are available free of charge to GUM clinics and other Black community and health services nationwide. To order your copy, please email bigup@gmfa.org.uk.

BIG Up has developed a range of other mass media, small media and community-based interventions, carnival parties, screening events and mass media campaigns on issues such as the risks of HIV transmission for active partners during unprotected sex and the impact of HIV-related stigma on the rate of new infections amongst Black populations.

Big Up welcomes all people, irrespective of ethnicity, sexuality or HIV status, to get involved as volunteers. If you are interested in working with Big Up, or volunteering for GMFA, contact: newvol@gmfa.org.uk.

References:

1 Multiple Chances: findings of the United Kingdom Gay Men’s Sex Survey 2006. Sigma Research, 2008.