Gay Men’s Sexual Health
The Gay Men’s Sexual Health (GMSH) Department is focused on the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay, bisexual, trans and other men who have sex with men (GBTMSM). The program is committed to the development of healthy, vibrant communities free from stigma, achieving these goals through a combination of outreach, support, education and community development initiatives.
The department is staffed by two individuals whom you may contact at any time for support or with questions/concerns related to programming, HIV/STI information, sexual health and safer sex practices:
| Gay Men’s Sexual Health Coordinator | Gay Men’s Sexual Health Worker |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Warren Registered Social Service Worker Email: m2m@acckwa.com Phone: 519-635-2437 (text available) OR 519-570-3687 ext. 314 |
Mike Scott Email: gmsh@acckwa.com Phone: 519-635-1761 (text available) OR 519-570-3687 ext. 312 |
We are continuing to monitor the evolving Mpox (‘monkeypox‘) virus and the particular public health impacts it is having on men who have sex with men. You can visit Ontario’s Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance webpage for more information, including Mpox vaccination clinics near you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns, as well as for support, using the contact details below.
Please see below for more information on the GMSH Department and its various initiatives.
Mï Talk
Looking for a positive change in your life? Want healthier relationships? Come chat with us about the life you want and make it happen! Mï Talk is a project supporting gay, bisexual, trans and other guys into guys to have better romantic and sexual relationships, and sexual and mental health!
Mï Talk is a free, one-on-one counselling program. Through discussions and exercises with one of our specifically trained staff, you will have a chance to meaningfully and freely talk about and reflect on your life, your romantic and sexual relationships, and your sexual and mental health – whatever they mean to you! By the end of the program, you will be able to identify some actions to achieve the changes you want to make!
HIV Testing
We are happy to announce that we are now providing FREE anonymous rapid HIV self-testing in our office.
Drop-in hours are on Wednesdays between 2pm & 6 pm at our main site in Kitchener: 5-1770 King Street East.
Click the link below to book an appointment online. If you would like to have your test facilitated by someone in a specific program, choose from the appropriate program.
To book by phone, call us at 519-570-3687 or text/call 519-635-2437 during business hours. At ACCKWA one of our trained staff members can walk you through the test step-by-step, provide you with support, and answer any questions you might have.
If you are looking for full STI screening, please visit our STI testing resource page.
Get PrEP
Are you ready to start taking PrEP? Do you have questions about PrEP? Meet with one of our trained staff who will answer any questions you have and walk you through everything you need to begin taking PrEP. We will work with you to find out what funding options are available to you. Most patients pay $0 for PrEP!
During your appointment you can be connected with a healthcare provider who will provide you with everything you need to get your prescription delivered discretely here for pick up or to your door for FREE.
Education
Fun & informative workshops: From HIV basics to the legal complexities of HIV disclosure, we can deliver workshops relating to issues affecting gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men as they relate to HIV, other STIs and sexual health. We have workshops and trainings available for service providers as well as gay, bi, and other guys into guys!
The Sex You Want
The Sex You Want (TSYW) is an ongoing campaign in collaboration with Ontario’s Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance. TSYW features animated videos, comic strips, and info-graphics that reflect the complex and diverse experiences of guys into guys grounded in science and a progressive attitude towards sex and pleasure. Check it out!
Volunteer Opportunities and Peer Programs
Do you enjoy meeting new people? Teaching new things to others? Want to make a difference in your community? Come volunteer with us!
Peers are defined by the GMSH Department as those who self-identify as members of the Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer community (GBTQ+), including those living with and without HIV. Peer opportunities for this program include:
- Park Outreach – From May to October, peers work in pairs to hang kits containing condoms, lube, testing information, and counselling referral information in wooded areas around the region where GBTMSM cruise for sex, as well as clean up any waste that is found. Peers in this program need to be able to go through ACCKWA’s general training as well as our specific park outreach training. They must also be able to navigate through heavily wooded areas in often unpleasant conditions.
- Event Outreach – All year long, the GMSH Department makes appearances at various events and festivals where GBMSM are likely to attend in large numbers. Often, this form of outreach involves interacting with the public through a sexual health quiz game focused on GBMSM sexual health and history. Peers in this program need to go through ACCKWA’s general training, bar outreach training, familiarize themselves with the various resources we distribute, and demonstrate a general aptitude for up-to-date gay men’s sexual health knowledge.
- Online Outreach – Every week, the GMSH Department performs online outreach to GBMSM in a variety of online platforms, from Grindr to Squirt! Peers assist with this program by “checking out” our tablet and performing outreach for an additional three hours per week on their own, on a rotating basis.
If you are interested in volunteering with our program, please visit ACCKWA’s volunteer page.