Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men - Sexual Health

At AIDS Thunder Bay we see a fairly small number of clients who are gay or bisexual. However, HIV and AIDS still affects gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in significant numbers across the country. All men who have sex with men need to be aware of their sexual risks and think carefully about their sexual choices. Aside from increased rates of HIV infection in major centres, other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis are also on the upswing.

Ontario Men's Survey Results

• In 2002 over 5,000 men in Ontario took part in the Men's Survey. This provided the first major look at gay men's behaviour in a decade. The results of the survey are now available.
• It seems clear that gay and bisexual men know a lot about safer sex, and many of us make an effort to be safe and keep our partners safe.
• From the survey, we know that up to 27% of the men who tested HIV positive through saliva samples did not know their HIV status.
• A significant number of men do not practise safer sex consistently, for a variety of reasons.
• A community report can be viewed online, and has been published in Xtra.
• You can also view online the full report.
• We hope to host a forum in the coming months to present the reults to the community. Watch for details.

Assumptions Campaign - How do you know what you know?

• Thunder Bay is taking part in the Assumptions Campaign, a major national and provincial social marketing campaign directed at gay, bisexual and othe rmen who have sex with men.
• As we know from the Ontario Men's Survey and other research, some gay and bisexual men do not consistently practise safer sex. This campaign challenges men to think about the assumptions they make about their partners, and asks the question "How do you know what you know?"
• Billboards, newspaper ads, and other methods will be used to promote this campaign.
• You can also find out more and/or become more involved with the campaign by visiting the campaign web site www.think-again.ca.

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