GMFA
Encyclopedia
GMFA is a British
health promotion
charitable organization
that campaigns to improve gay
men’s health. Its core interventions tackle issues including HIV
, AIDS
and other areas of sexual health.
prevention work being specifically targeted at gay men.
Originally named Gay Men Fighting AIDS, GMFA’s initial remit was to campaign for more targeted HIV prevention work aimed at gay men, and to raise awareness of HIV amongst gay men.
GMFA uses a model of community mobilisation and peer education, with gay men playing a central role in the design and delivery of interventions. In 2001, GMFA merged with the Black gay men’s group Big Up and, in 2002, GMFA broadened its remit to include all health issues which disproportionately affect gay men over other populations. As a result, the organisation changed its mission statement in 2002 and 'Gay Men Fighting AIDS' became 'GMFA - the gay men's health charity'.
1. Interventions should be evidence-based.
2. HIV-prevention interventions must contribute towards the targets set out within Making It Count, the planning framework for HIV health promotion recommended by the Department of Health.
3. A project must not promote the health of one person over another.
4. Health promotion should empower people rather than reduce their choices.
5. Interventions should be of the greatest value to gay men within the resources available.
6. Services should be provided on an equitable rather than equal basis. Sub-populations of gay men have different levels of need and so our work should attempt to reduce health inequalities amongst gay men.
7. All people, regardless of their HIV status, are entitled to a satisfying sex life.
8. All people, regardless of their sexual behaviour, sexual identity or HIV status, are entitled to the same rights and respect as all other people.
Volunteers are mainly recruited through promotion on all GMFA interventions, and undergo an induction process. The organisation welcomes volunteers from all sections of the community, although the majority of volunteers are gay men. The volunteer base is made up of HIV-negative and HIV-positive people.
, Big Lottery and other voluntary, statutory and research organisations.
The majority of GMFA's HIV prevention work for gay men in London is funded through the Pan London HIV Prevention Programme, in which its partners are Project for Advice, Counselling and Education
, The Terrence Higgins Trust
, Camden's Good Sexual Health Team, London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
, the GMI Partnership, Ergo Consulting and commissioners from various London NHS primary care trust
s.
Through the CHAPS
health organisation, GMFA is also partnered with other sexual health organisations across ten cities in England and Wales
. The CHAPS partnership aims at providing HIV prevention initiatives to reach gay men in those cities across England with the highest prevalence of HIV.
GMFA’s interventions have included: The Arse Class, a group-work course, which teaches gay men how to keep sex fun, safer and pleasurable. The first course ran in cities across the UK in 2007; Its Responsibility advertising campaign in 2005, encouraging men to take responsibility for safer sex; FS magazine, (Fit and Sexy) which is available for free in gay venues, as a download and in GUM clinics across the UK; and In The Family, a 2-volume celebration of the achievements of men and women who have helped to build the Black gay community in London.
In November 2010 the "Count me in" campaign to stop the spread of HIV was launched as that year's campaign for UNAIDS's World AIDS day
.. The campaign was endorsed by the Lib-Con Minister for Equality Lynne Featherstone, via a Home Office video and a transcript and related statement.
GMFA makes use of various social media, including Twitter
(twitter/GMFA_UK),, Facebook
with its own GMFA page and Big-Up pages, and a blog
called "Outspoken On Health" about current topics pertinent to gay men's health.
donated for the annual auction held at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern
, which followed the very popular annual sports day. In 2010 Kylie Minogue
donated a signed CD of "All the Lovers" and Ben Cohen a signed jockstrap
& framed T-shirt for the auction; Ben also issued a supportive statement and featured in FS magazine later the same year.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
health promotion
Health promotion
Health promotion has been defined by the World Health Organization's 2005 Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalized World as "the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health"...
charitable organization
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
that campaigns to improve gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
men’s health. Its core interventions tackle issues including HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
, AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
and other areas of sexual health.
History
GMFA was founded in 1992 by a group of gay men who felt that there was not enough HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
prevention work being specifically targeted at gay men.
Originally named Gay Men Fighting AIDS, GMFA’s initial remit was to campaign for more targeted HIV prevention work aimed at gay men, and to raise awareness of HIV amongst gay men.
GMFA uses a model of community mobilisation and peer education, with gay men playing a central role in the design and delivery of interventions. In 2001, GMFA merged with the Black gay men’s group Big Up and, in 2002, GMFA broadened its remit to include all health issues which disproportionately affect gay men over other populations. As a result, the organisation changed its mission statement in 2002 and 'Gay Men Fighting AIDS' became 'GMFA - the gay men's health charity'.
Principles and values
GMFA has 8 principles upon which it is based and claims to be measured:1. Interventions should be evidence-based.
2. HIV-prevention interventions must contribute towards the targets set out within Making It Count, the planning framework for HIV health promotion recommended by the Department of Health.
3. A project must not promote the health of one person over another.
4. Health promotion should empower people rather than reduce their choices.
5. Interventions should be of the greatest value to gay men within the resources available.
6. Services should be provided on an equitable rather than equal basis. Sub-populations of gay men have different levels of need and so our work should attempt to reduce health inequalities amongst gay men.
7. All people, regardless of their HIV status, are entitled to a satisfying sex life.
8. All people, regardless of their sexual behaviour, sexual identity or HIV status, are entitled to the same rights and respect as all other people.
Volunteer leadership
GMFA is a volunteer-led organisation. Volunteers lead the organisation both by being elected members of the Board of Directors and by contributing to projects as members of the groups who develop projects. All GMFA volunteers have the right to join any group within GMFA.Volunteers are mainly recruited through promotion on all GMFA interventions, and undergo an induction process. The organisation welcomes volunteers from all sections of the community, although the majority of volunteers are gay men. The volunteer base is made up of HIV-negative and HIV-positive people.
Funding & Partnerships
GMFA's work is developed in partnership with the Elton John AIDS FoundationElton John AIDS Foundation
Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations that was established by Sir Elton John in 1992 in the US * and 1993 in the UK * supporting innovative HIV/AIDS prevention, education programs, direct care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS.EJAF has...
, Big Lottery and other voluntary, statutory and research organisations.
The majority of GMFA's HIV prevention work for gay men in London is funded through the Pan London HIV Prevention Programme, in which its partners are Project for Advice, Counselling and Education
Project for Advice, Counselling and Education
Project for Advice, Counselling and Education or PACE is London's leading charity promoting the health and well-being of lesbians and gay men through the provision of free or low-cost counselling, therapy, groupwork, advocacy, youthwork, employment and other services.-Youthwork:PACE Youthwork...
, The Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the charity aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health ; to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of...
, Camden's Good Sexual Health Team, London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is the oldest gay and lesbian telephone help line in the UK, based in London.LLGS was founded in March 1974, providing help and information to London's gay community...
, the GMI Partnership, Ergo Consulting and commissioners from various London NHS primary care trust
NHS Primary Care Trust
An NHS primary care trust is a type of NHS trust, part of the National Health Service in England. PCTs commission primary, community and secondary care from providers. Until 31 may2011 they also provided community services directly. Collectively PCT are responsible for spending around 80% of the...
s.
Through the CHAPS
CHAPS (health organisation)
CHAPS is a partnership of UK gay men's health promotion organisations. It is currently funded to operate in England and Wales by the Department of Health and is administered by Terrence Higgins Trust....
health organisation, GMFA is also partnered with other sexual health organisations across ten cities in England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
. The CHAPS partnership aims at providing HIV prevention initiatives to reach gay men in those cities across England with the highest prevalence of HIV.
Interventions
GMFA’s interventions for gay men have included advertising campaigns, leaflets, postcards and booklets; FS, its health magazine, distributed nationally in gay venues and GU clinics; and national and London-based courses covering sex education, life skills and smoking cessation. In addition, GMFA creates targeted sexual health interventions for black gay men and HIV positive gay men.GMFA’s interventions have included: The Arse Class, a group-work course, which teaches gay men how to keep sex fun, safer and pleasurable. The first course ran in cities across the UK in 2007; Its Responsibility advertising campaign in 2005, encouraging men to take responsibility for safer sex; FS magazine, (Fit and Sexy) which is available for free in gay venues, as a download and in GUM clinics across the UK; and In The Family, a 2-volume celebration of the achievements of men and women who have helped to build the Black gay community in London.
In November 2010 the "Count me in" campaign to stop the spread of HIV was launched as that year's campaign for UNAIDS's World AIDS day
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Government and health officials observe the day, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an...
.. The campaign was endorsed by the Lib-Con Minister for Equality Lynne Featherstone, via a Home Office video and a transcript and related statement.
GMFA makes use of various social media, including Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
(twitter/GMFA_UK),, Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
with its own GMFA page and Big-Up pages, and a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
called "Outspoken On Health" about current topics pertinent to gay men's health.
Celebrity Supporters
In 2009 Joanna LumleyJoanna Lumley
Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, voice-over artist, former-model and author, best known for her roles in British television series Absolutely Fabulous portraying Edina Monsoon's best friend, Patsy Stone, as well as parts in The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Sensitive...
donated for the annual auction held at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is a gay nightclub in London. It is also known as the RVT. It is South London's oldest surviving gay venue .-Early history:...
, which followed the very popular annual sports day. In 2010 Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
donated a signed CD of "All the Lovers" and Ben Cohen a signed jockstrap
Jockstrap
A jockstrap is an undergarment designed for supporting the male genitalia during sports or other vigorous physical activity...
& framed T-shirt for the auction; Ben also issued a supportive statement and featured in FS magazine later the same year.