Praise for GMFA

Since GMFA began in 1992 we have reached thousands of gay men with a broad range of services that help them to make informed choices and live healthier, happier lives.

As a result, we've received some great letters, emails and calls from the gay men we've helped, and from people involved in gay men's work. Here's what some of them had to say.

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Awards
Comments from people funding our work and other agencies working in health
Independent evaluation
Comments from people who have used or services

Awards

Some of our awards include:

2008 Black LGBT Community Award for Big Up.
2008 Runner up for the GlaxoSmithKline Impact Award
2008 UK Fetish Award. Best Sexual Health website –; GMFA.
2008 UK Fetish Award. Outreach / Sexual Health Organisation –; GMFA.
2007 Embrace YouChoose Community Award for GMFA's HIV-positive gay men's website.

Comments from people funding our work and other agencies working in health

Smoking cessation:

"GMFA has a track record for providing Stop Smoking groups according to NHS guidelines and their monitoring forms have followed the Gold Standard form."
– Dominick Nguyen, Campaigns & Communication Manager, Tobacco Policy London

"Gay men are among those at the highest risk from smoking related disease. Providing tailored support for men to quit together has been a real success story."
– Ben Youdan, Chief Executive of No Smoking Day.

Booklets:

"I have to say that this booklet is the most comprehensive I have seen."
– Martin Lincoln, 56 Dean Street (on 'Cruising' booklet)

"As ever excellent job, well done"
– Robbie Currie, DoH (on 'Better Sex for Gay Men' booklet)

"This looks good – clear and erotic without being explicit and using fun sex techniques to present safer info."
– Paul Steinberg, Lambeth PCT (on 'Better Sex for Gay Men' booklet)

"Free resources like yours are invaluable to us - I also find good gay men's sexual health info hard to come by so if you were unable to provide these we'd be a bit stuck!"
– Lindsey Carpenter, Sexual Health Advisor, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

"Congratulations on this substantial piece of work. I think the team producing this work deserve much credit."
– Dr Alan Smith, St Mary's Hospital (on 'Tested Negative' booklet)

Arse Class:

"GMFA's 'Arse Class' has been presented at least three times to the Kingston University LGBT Society and will continue to be for as long as it is offered. This class is invaluable to our society members and something I insist on having presented at least once every year as there is no other 'sex ed' class offered that is as comprehensive, honest, or informative for men who have sex with men. The attendance increases every year and it has proven popular even with women, due to it's frank and honest approach to issues dealing with the body. I cannot imagine recommending any other 'sexual education' class to any student and I have no doubt in my mind that the class has resulted in safer sex, more informed sex, and better sex for many of our members. It is a true highlight of our events every year and will hopefully continue to be for years to come!"
– Karisa Lundberg, Women's Officer (Co-president), Kingston LGBT

Independent evaluation

Between 2003 –; 2007 Sigma Research evaluated 25 HIV prevention campaigns, produced by GMFA, THT and Metrocentre through the online version of the Gay Men's Sex Survey. GMFA's campaigns, which were funded to reach gay men in London, were recognised, and more likely to be read, by more gay men than those advertising campaigns produced by other agencies. All of the top eight most recognised advertising campaigns were produced by GMFA, reaching almost 50% of gay men surveyed. In London GMFA's HIV prevention advertising campaigns were recognised by up to 60% of gay men.

FS magazine:

The Cambridge Health Evaluation Consultancy carried out a focus group evaluation of FS, alongside Exposed and U+. The main findings were:

FS was well received by all the groups. The panels agreed that the magazine took a holistic approach to health, well-being and sexual health in order to empower men to take control over their lives and have confidence in their minds and bodies. The value set guiding the resource seemed to fit and it provided information that was relevant and needed.
The balance between terms of interest was felt to be well managed and it seemed to reach out to a wide cross section of gay men both HIV+ and HIV negative.
Comment was made that FS was not just about sex and sexual health but covered a more diverse range of interests which was refreshing. This gave the magazine a broader sense of purpose, reason and direction.
The size and style of the magazine lent itself to portability and men stated that they would feel comfortable reading the resource in a range of settings.
Praise was given to the layout and format of the magazine which was likened to commercial resources available on the scene that men might choose to pay for.
A couple of men in London were keen to point out that they felt the style, format and even the name of FS had changed over the years. Consensus was that these changes were for the better and the magazine was moving up in terms of quality and coverage.
FS was seen as having a wide reach and appeal due to its holistic approach to lifestyle issues including sexual health and HIV.

Comments from people who have used our services

Comments from guys who have been on a GMFA course:

"I came to find out if there was stuff I don't know – as I am a bit of a know it all – I found out loads I didn't know!"
– Leeds, age 52

"A sexy day – loads of information – great combination of science, biology and sex toys – who'd have thought it possible to have so much fun whilst learning?"
– Southampton, age 23

"You answered all the questions I would never have had the courage to ask of anyone."
– Bristol, age 26

"I just wanted to drop you a line and say how much I enjoyed the Arse Class last week. The trainers were fantastic and made it a fun and engaging day. The group bonded really well and I think that was, in no small part, to the way the class was led.

I learnt a lot about myself and it has given me greater confidence to ask for the sex I want. I am HIV +ve and one might think it's too late to worry or learn about safer sex. I was proved wrong last week!

Anyway thanks again and please pass on my thanks to the facilitators.

PS – I am a Learning and Development professional so am always interested in training delivery – the facilitators were incredibly professional."
– London, age 39

"Extremely useful and fun"
– Bristol, age 42

"Wow – it was so refreshing to have a chance to talk about sex and the male arse in such a positive way – clear information, practical tips and lots of laughs – Thank you so much GMFA."
– Glastonbury, age 30

"I simply wish to give you some feedback of the workshop I attended on Saturday. It was simply spectacular. It was highly informative, with such practical tips, such excellent coverage of the male anatomy, and has truly inspired me with such confidence! The facilitators were very good, well-informed, very observant of us, and with a delicious and well-placed sense of humour, that caused the proceedings to sparkle. I really cannot thank you enough for the workshop, the material covered, and the literature received."

Comments about our website, names and email addresses supplied:

"Dear GMFA people thank you for an excellent & informative site."

"Thank you, I found this info very informative and has helped me understand most of my fears. Going forward, the future looks brighter :) Cheers."

"Hi, I just wanted to say thanks for your website – the first one I've found which talks sensibly about risk. I worry a lot about catching STI's to the extent that I don't really 'do' sex as the risks are all more than I am comfortable with. Your site is straightforward and clear. Thanks so much. Cheers."

"Totally awesome, no runarounds, just facts. I'm so grateful for it, will be reading regularly – it's got the answers I'm looking for like they read my mind."

Big Up screening of Beyond Labels:

"Congrats to you all, I thought the event was well put together and very empowering."

"I was at your premiere last night and was so moved to see the film. It deserves to be seen by so many people. Schools, TV etc and I wish you all success with it and a BIG well done!"

"I thought it was an excellent evening. I am going to use the material in my training sessions here at Acas, when I am delivering Sexual Orientation training. You guys should press to have that shown on Channel Four. Big thanks to all involved."