Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
Updated May 2005
There was an 11% increase in newly diagnosed AIDS cases amongst
men who have sex with men between 2000 and 2003. To this date, MSM
populations account for the significant majority of AIDS cases in
the United States, resulting in approximately 440,887 cases through
2003. In several communities, particularly within racial and ethnic
minority groups, MSMs are rarely mentioned and in fact, largely
ignored due to cultural barriers such as attitudes of denial and
homophobia. Due to these social and structural barriers, MSM populations
receive inadequate preventative HIV education on issues around same
sex practices such as STD transmission, HIV prevention and health
education. In addition, several MSM from communities, which disregard
homosexuality or bisexuality, hide their sexual contact with men
from their heterosexual or same-sex partners, increasing the risks
of spreading HIV and treatment complications. The following groups
and references speak specifically to issues such as homophobia in
communities of color, STD treatment, prevention, male health, and
other relevant concerns for MSM populations combating HIV/AIDS.
Organizations
Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues
The mission of Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues is to increase philanthropic resources to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations, programs and projects. The Grantmakers's Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues presents an overview of the key issues facing LGBT communities. In addition to publications and research, this organization also highlights current grantmaking trends for LGBT communities.
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA)
GLMA works to maximize the quality of health services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and to foster a professional climate in which their diverse members can reach their full potential. GLMA's website contains information regarding HIV/AIDS programs and publications, including their Medical Expertise Retention Program, providing support for HIV-positive health care workers.
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)
GMHC is committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Services include: the GMHC Hotline, the David Geffen Center for HIV Prevention and Health Education, women and family services, the Institute for Gay Men's Health, and treatment and prevention advocacy. GMHC's website contains a wealth of information on Drugs, Sex and HIV and Living with HIV, as well as information in Spanish.
HIV Stops with Me
HIV Stops with Me is an HIV prevention social marketing campaign for HIV positive gay/bisexual men and transgenders. The campaign combines multiple strategies to help HIV positive gay and bisexual men gain and use the skills necessary to prevent new HIV transmissions. These strategies include mass media, support groups, social events, community forums, provider training, and outreach.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center exists to empower and serve populations in crisis: the young, the elderly, people living with HIV and AIDS, survivors of anti-gay or anti-lesbian violence, people struggling with substance abuse, and gay people and their friends and families overwhelmed by the devastating toll of the AIDS epidemic. The Center runs a variety of programs dealing with public policy, culture, counseling and social services, outreach and education, and volunteering and support.
Whitman-Walker Clinic
Whitman-Walker Clinic is a non-profit community-based health organization serving the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Established by and for the gay and lesbian community, the Clinic provides high quality, comprehensive, accessible health care and community services. The Clinic is particularly committed to providing exemplary HIV/AIDS medical services, mental and addiction treatment, legal services, and housing services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Bulletin, "HIV in Prisons, 2001" (Laura M. Maruschak, BJS Technician) U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 202293. January 2004.
Publications
"Association of Co-Occurring Psychosocial Health Problems and Increased Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among Urban Men Who Have Sex with Men." Am J Public Health, Jun 2003 (93): 939 - 942.
Malebranche, D. "Black Men Who Have Sex with Men and the HIV Epidemic: Next Steps for Public Health." Am J Public Health. 2003 (93): 862-865.
Mills, TC, Stall R, Pollack L, et al. "Health-Related Characteristics of Men Who Have Sex with Men: a Comparison of Those Living in 'Gay Ghettos' with Those Living Elsewhere." Am J Public Health 2001 (91): 980-983.
Peterson, J, Carballo-Dieguez A. "HIV Prevention among African American and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men." in Handbook of HIV Prevention. Peterson J, DiClemente R (Eds) Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers: 2000: 217-224.
Relf MV, Huang B, Campbell J, Catania J. "Gay Identity, Interpersonal Violence, and HIV Risk Behaviors: an Empirical Test of Theoretical Relationships among a Probability-Based Sample of Urban Men Who Have Sex with Men." J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2004 Mar-Apr 15(2): 14-26.
Wolitski, R, Valdeserri R, Denning P, et al. "Are We Headed for a Resurgence in the HIV Epidemic among Men Who Have Sex with Men?" Am J Public Health 2001 (91): 959-964.