ANNUAL REPORT 2014 GAY HEALTH NETWORK (GHN) GHN is an All-Ireland network of organisations and individuals with a ABOUT THE shared ethos and commitment to achieving the purpose of the network, GAY HEALTH sharing ideas, work, resources and experiences. Since its foundation in NETWORK 1994, GHN has been actively publishing and distributing HIV and safer sex information for men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as (GHN) conducting and publishing vital research on sexual health in this area.

GHN’s purpose is to promote HIV prevention and sexual health PURPOSE awareness among men who have sex with men (MSM), with a focus on OF GHN men living with HIV, and to combat the stigma associated with HIV. THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF GHN ARE: GHN • The promotion of HIV prevention and sexual health awareness among OBJECTIVES gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), nationally, and in specific communities. • Addressing and challenging HIV-related stigma and discrimination. • Commissioning of key research in the area of HIV and sexual health among MSM, including men living with HIV.

THE SUBSIDIARY OBJECTIVES OF GHN ARE: • Promotion of HIV prevention and sexual health awareness through specific programmes and campaigns. • Ongoing development of a dedicated HIV and sexual health website for MSM. • The publication of a quarterly newsletter to increase sector-wide communications on the issues. • The publication of key research reports on relevant issues. • The publication of HIV and sexual health leaflets and booklets.

GHNs current active members includes many individual men, including MEMBERSHIP men living with HIV, and includes representatives from the following organisations: • AIDS West • GOSHH • BeLonG To Youth Service • HIV Ireland • Pride Committee • Outhouse LGBT Community Centre • Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE • Positive Now • Gay Project • The Rainbow Project, Belfast • Gay Switchboard Ireland

Many other LGBT- and HIV-related organisations around Ireland support the work and projects of GHN.

PAGE 01 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Following the success of the Man2Man.ie programme throughout 2012, MAN2MAN.IE PROGRAMME STRATEGIC GHN and the HSE agreed the importance of building on the GHN This joint Gay Health Network (GHN) and HSE initiative is a national HIV OBJECTIVES achievements of the programme, to promote consistent and sustained ACTIVITY Prevention and Sexual Health Awareness programme targeting men who HIV and STI prevention messages among MSM in Ireland. Arising from REPORT have sex with men (MSM). the programme, the following strategic objectives were agreed, with support funding received from HSE Health Promotion, HSE Social 2014 The Man2Man.ie programme was sustained throughout 2014 with Inclusion Unit and the MAC AIDS Fund: support funding from the HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Department, HSE Social Inclusion and the MAC AIDS Fund. • STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: The programme primarily consisted of: National promotion and continuous development of Man2Man.ie, • A dedicated website (www.man2man.ie) providing information for the only HIV and sexual health information and resource website MSM on HIV, STIs, free testing information and where to access free specifically targeting MSM in Ireland. condoms. Sexual health information is available in 9 languages on the • STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: website (Arabic, English, French, Irish, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Promote social inclusion and increase access to information for Russian and Spanish). harder-to-reach groups living outside of urban areas through social • Social media promotion of key messages on HIV and STI prevention, media, and print and broadcast media. testing and condom use (via Facebook, Twitter, GCN magazine • STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: and Gaydar). Initiate a peer-led volunteer outreach service to promote HIV prevention • Delivery of Personal Development Courses for MSM. and sexual health at social venues, and distribute condoms and lube. • Providing access to free condoms through a number of organisations • STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: and outreach events and activities. Respond to emerging trends, in consultation with key stakeholders, by developing targeted and tailored HIV and STI prevention initiatives. 1. MAN2MAN.IE WEBSITE The website was maintained and continually updated. Information on the The actions and activities of GHN are evidence-based, closely aligned availability of free HIV and STI testing, on the availability of PEP, and strongly linked with the findings and recommendations of research and the ongoing development of a new ‘Resources’ page, were among and relevant reports, including: the main updates. • The European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) 2010 and All-Ireland report findings: • There were a total of 51,313 sessions on the website in 2014, an increase of 54% when compared with 2013. • Man2Man Report One: Our Community. • 82% of sessions were new visitors. • Man2Man Report Two: Living with HIV. • Return visits increased by 3% to 18% in 2014. • Man2Man Report Three: Our Sex Lives. • 28% of visitors were aged 18 to 24 years rising to 51% for those aged • Man2Man Report Four: Our Sexual Health. 18 to 35. 24% were aged over 45 with 11% aged over 55. • HIV Annual Surveillance Reports on Diagnosed HIV infections among MSM in Ireland published by the Health Protection MAN2MAN.IE WEBSITE VISITS 2014 Surveillance Centre (HPSC). • Annual Reports from the Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE. RETURNING NEW VISITORS VISITORS • LGBT Health: Towards meeting the Health Care Needs of Lesbian, 18% 82% Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People, HSE, 2009. • The All-Ireland Gay Men’s Sex Surveys 2000 to 2008 (Real Lives, Real Lives 2 and Real Lives 3).

PAGE 02 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 03 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 2. IT’S HARD – IT’S EASY FACEBOOK (www.facebook.com/Man2Man.ie) GHN A new design concept was developed for social media promotion in 2014. GHN The Man2Man Facebook page is utilised to promote HIV prevention ACTIVITY ‘It’s Hard – It’s Easy’ focused on two key objectives: ACTIVITY and sexual health awareness messages and to promote free HIV and REPORT REPORT STI testing services nationally and free access to condoms. 2014 1. To increase condom use among MSM 2014 2. To increase the number of MSM accessing HIV (and STI) testing (A) FACEBOOK OVERVIEW 2014 • Facebook ‘fans’ increased by 457% (from 520 on 1st January 2014 to 2,898 on 31st December 2014). • 97% of fans are male and 3% are female. • Of the male fans, 47% are aged 18 to 24, 27% are aged 25 to 34, 13% are aged 35 to 44; 8% are aged 45+, and 2% are aged 13 to 17. • 85% (n=2,451) of all fans indicate that they are located in Ireland. Location data is available for 1,855 (76%) of these: • 51% (n=950) are located in Dublin city and county. • 18% (n=325) are located across the 11 other counties of Leinster. • 23% (n=430) are located across the 6 counties of Munster. • 6% (n=106) are located across 3 counties of Connaught. IT’S HARD - ROCK ON - WITH CONDOMS • 2% (n=44) are located in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. Free condoms are available - Get yours! - Find out where at man2man.ie

INCREASE IN FACEBOOK FANS BY MONTH 2014

From April 2014, a new key message was promoted monthly through 3500 social media channels promoting the consistent use of condoms and 3000 regular HIV and STI testing. These channels included Facebook, Gaydar, 2500 theoutmost.com and GCN Magazine. 2000 1500 1000 500 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

PAGE 04 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 05 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 (B) FACEBOOK SPONSORED POSTS 2014 THEOUTMOST.COM GHN • There were a total of nine (9) sponsored posts on Facebook promoting GHN Animated banners were developed for this companion website of GCN ACTIVITY the ‘It’s Hard – It’s Easy’ series, including a teaser advert in March 2014. ACTIVITY magazine and promoted on a monthly basis. In 2014 the data shows a REPORT • Each post reached an average of 19,188 unique people, with a total REPORT total of just under 300,000 impressions (256,989) with 499 clicks to the 2014 duplicated reach of 172,689 people in 2014. 2014 man2man.ie website. Three online articles were also published on this website (1) Know the Score: Get Tested! (2) European HIV Testing Week • 94% of the total unique reach were male. (3) World AIDS Day, with a total of 984 views. European HIV Testing • 100% of those reached indicated they are located in Ireland. Week was promoted via Facebook which reached 5,810 people • Age range information is available for 86% of the total duplicated and recorded 281 clicks. reach (n=148,976). Of these: • 72% were aged 18 to 24 years. TRANSLATIONS • 19% were aged 25 to 34 years. Some of the posters were also translated into Portugese (Brazilian) and Spanish (Venezuelan), and promoted within these communities • 5% were aged 35 to 44 years. via Facebook. • 2% were aged 45 and older. • 2% were aged 13 to 17 years. • There were a total of 13,562 unique ‘clicks’ on the promoted posts, an engagement rate of 8% (of the total unique paid reach). • 9,280 (68%) of these were male, and of these: • 16% were aged 13 to 17 years. • 65% were aged 18 to 24 years. • 14% were aged 25 to 34 years. • 5% were aged 35 and older.

GAYDAR ESTA DURO - DISFRUTALO - CON CONDONES Animated banners were developed and promoted on Gaydar (a gay social E FACIL - PRESUMIR Free condoms are available - Get yours! - Find out where at man2man.ie CAIA NA REAL - FACA UM TESTE! contact and dating website) on a monthly basis. In 2014 the data from the Free HIV and STI tests are available - Find out where at man2man.ie banners shows a total of almost 5.5 million ad impressions (5,441,417), with 4,589 click throughs (to the website).

GCN MAGAZINE A monthly one page advert was included in the GCN Magazine (Ireland’s only free magazine for the LGBT Community). The magazine has an average distribution of 11,168 per issue and a readership of 33,000 people per issue, giving a duplicated reach of 396,000 people in 2014.

PAGE 06 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 07 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 3. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES KNOW THE SCORE: GET TESTED! (IRISH AIDS DAY) GHN The Personal Development Course (PDC) is a free six-week programme PROJECTS As part of 2014 Irish AIDS Day activities, a new online testing locator ACTIVITY for MSM aged 24 and over. Topics covered include (1) Befriending our AND map was developed to promote the availability of free HIV and STI REPORT Sexuality; (2) Assertiveness and Self-esteem; (3) Emotional management EVENTS testing around Ireland. This project was supported by Janssen Ireland, 2014 and positive thinking; (4) Relationships; (5) Sexual Assertiveness; 2014 and the campaign was further supported by Rory O’Neill ( Bliss) (6) Living your best Gay/Bi life. and Deputy Jerry Buttimer, T.D., Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Select sub-Committee on Health. The course is delivered by the Gay Switchboard Ireland, in partnership with the Gay Men’s Health Service and takes place in Outhouse LGBT The locator map is available on the man2man.ie website and the Community Centre. campaign launched on 4th June 2014 with promotion throughout the month of June through social media and print media channels. Three (3) PDCs were delivered in 2014 with a total of 27 participants completing the course. There was significant media coverage of the campaign and the man2man.ie website recorded a 70% increase in visits in the month 4. ACCESS TO FREE CONDOMS AND LUBE (OUTREACH 2014) of June 2014 when compared to the previous month (85% of which A total of 32 outreach sessions were conducted in Dublin throughout were new visits). 2014 in a range of LGBT-attended pubs and clubs with a total of 6,625 condom and lube packs distributed. The campaign received a Commendation at the Irish Healthcare Awards ceremony held on the 6th November 2014 in the category of 5. DROP-IN SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE (AND EMAIL SUPPORT): Best Patient Lifestyle Education. A Drop-In service for sexual health information and support was launched on 30th November 2013 by Gay Switchboard Ireland in partnership with GHN as part of the Man2Man.ie programme. The Drop-In Service takes place every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm in Outhouse LGBT Community Centre in Dublin and is for over 18’s, and also includes an email support service ([email protected]).

A total of 48 weekly drop-in services were held in 2014 with support provided to 51 face-to-face visitors and 172 email queries responded to. The main presenting issues were risky sexual activity, PEP, STI concerns, emotional support, testing fears, condoms and signposting.

PAGE 08 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 09 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 12TH ANNUAL GAY HEALTH FORUM PRIDE FESTIVALS: DUBLIN, CORK AND PROJECTS In partnership with the Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE, GHN is part of PROJECTS GHN participates annually in Pride Festivals around Ireland, and in 2014 AND the organising committee for this annual forum which took place on 6th AND included a Digital Billboard in the Festival Parades in Dublin (28th June), EVENTS June 2014 in Dublin Castle, with support from Alex White, Minister of EVENTS Cork (2nd August) and Limerick (30th August) promoting the ‘It’s Hard – 2014 State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, 2014 It’s Easy’ series of messages about free HIV and STI testing services and Chairpersonof the Oireachtas Joint Select sub-Committee on Health, accessing free condoms and lube. Free condom and lube packs were and Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, National Director of the HSE Health and also distributed. Wellbeing Division. An update on the work of GHN and the joint Man2Man.ie programme was presented at the forum. SAFER SEXY PRIDE 2014

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Get Your Condoms, Lube and Sexual Health Information at the Man2Man Stall Pride Village

HIV & Sexual Health Promotion brought to you by:

GAZE FILM FESTIVAL This event took place from 31st July to 4th August 2014 and GHN included a Digital Advert promoting the ‘It’s Hard – It’s Easy’ series of messages which was screened during the festival.

PAGE 10 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 11 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 WORLD HEPATITIS DAY EUROPEAN HIV TESTING WEEK PROJECTS To coincide with World Hepatitis Day on 28th July 2014, PROJECTS To coincide with European HIV Testing Week, 21st to 28th November AND the Man2Man.ie programme promoted awareness of Hepatitis B AND 2014, the Gay Men’s Health Service HSE, in partnership with the Gay EVENTS including key messages about testing, prevention and the vaccination. EVENTS Health Network and the Man2Man.ie programme, launched a new 2014 2014 community-based HIV and STI testing service in Outhouse LGBT Community Centre. The first two clinics took place on Saturday 22nd 4 Steps to and Saturday 29th November, and thereafter will take place on the third Saturday of every month. 33 MSM were tested over the two Immunity! Saturdays and GMHS will detail more in their 2014 report. Vital Information on Hepatitis B for men whohave sex with men.

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FREE TESTING THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH DOORS OPEN 1:30PM TO 3:00PM Free community-based HIV and STI testing clinic for gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM). Outhouse LGBT Community Centre, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Walk-in Service (no appointment necessary). KNOW THE SCORE - GET TESTED! LUV BUGS: LGV Brought to you by: GMHS HSE A new Luv Bugs leaflet on LGV was developed promoting awareness of increasing LGV infections among men who have sex with men, including information on symptoms, transmission, prevention, and testing.

IRISH HEALTHCARE AWARDS The 2014 Irish AIDS Day project – Know the Score: Get Tested! – supported by Janssen, received a Commendation at the Irish Healthcare Awards ceremony held on the 6th November 2014 in the category of Best Patient Lifestyle Education. L GV (Lymphogranulom venereu ) WORLD AIDS DAY For World AIDS Day 2014 (1st December annually), in partnership with Dublin City Council, GHN joined a range of organisations and partners for an event in the Mansion House, Dublin. The primary aim of the L GV infectionƒ ar increasin„ i Irelan amongs suall† activ ga† an bisua me, World AIDS Day event was to highlight that HIV is a responsibility for an amongs me livin„ wit HIV. all towards building an inclusive society and developing a greater Hav yo teste? Sua Healt Informatio for awareness, understanding and acceptance of HIV in Ireland. me wh hav s­ wit me.

PAGE 12 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 13 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 MAN2MAN REPORT FOUR: OUR SEXUAL HEALTH MSM INTERNET SURVEY IRELAND (MISI) 2015 RESEARCH GHN continues to be actively involved in publishing new research and RESEARCH In 2014, the Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE established a cross-sectoral 2014 in 2014 the fourth report from the All-Ireland findings of the 2010 2014 research partnership to progress and sustain Gay Men’s Sex Surveys in European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) was published. Man2Man Report Ireland. The partnership consists of statutory organisations and NGOs 4: Our Sexual Health focuses on access to sexual health information and working in the area of HIV prevention and sexual health, including the services and the barriers that prevent gay men and other MSM from HSE’s Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS), Health Protection Surveillance accessing the support and services they need. The four thematic reports Centre (HPSC), and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (CPP), and the in the Man2Man series can be viewed and downloaded at www.ghn.ie. Gay Health Network (GHN). The research group is supported by an advisory group of international experts. The MSM Internet Survey The EMIS data was significant to the development of the current joint Ireland (MISI) 2015 received ethical approval from the Royal College GHN and HSE Man2Man.ie National HIV Prevention and Sexual Health of Physicians of Ireland in December 2014 and will be rolled out in 2015. Awareness Programme for MSM. GMHS, HSE was the lead partner in promoting the EMIS Survey in Ireland, and this survey represents the largest ever sample of MSM across the 32 counties of Ireland, with a total of 2,610 valid respondents.

Our Community Living with HIV

All-Ireland findings from the 2010 All-Ireland findings from the 2010 European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS)

Man2Man: Report One Man2Man: Report Two

Daniel McCartney Daniel McCartney Mick Quinlan (GMHS HSE) Mick Quinlan (GMHS HSE) Susan Donlon (GHN) Susan Donlon (GHN) Dr Thomas Strong (GHN) Harry McAnulty (The Rainbow Project) Harry McAnulty (The Rainbow Project)

May 2012 June 2012

Our Sex Lives Our Sexual Health

All-Ireland findings from the 2010 All-Ireland findings from the 2010 European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS)

Man2Man: Report Three Man2Man: Report Four

Daniel McCartney Daniel McCartney Mick Quinlan (GMHS HSE) Mick Quinlan (GMHS HSE) Susan Donlon (GHN) Susan Donlon (GHN) Dr Thomas Strong (GHN) June 2014 Andrew Leavitt (GHN)

November 2013

PAGE 14 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 15 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 GONORRHOEA CONTROL GROUP AUDITED ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES GHN participated in a multidisciplinary Gonorrhoea Control Group FINANCE GHN is a registered company limited by guarantee, company no. 499954, AND which was convened by Public Health in HSE-East in December 2012 to AND and a registered charity, CHY19908. The financial year for GHN NETWORKS investigate and control the increase in gonorrhoea. GHN responded to FUNDING commences on 14th June annually. Audited accounts for the year ended 2014 the increases in Gonorrhoea infections among MSM by developing the SUMMARY 13th June 2014 were submitted to the Companies Registration Office ‘Luv Bugs’ project. The work of the Multi-disciplinary Control Group (CRO) and are available on its website (www.cro.ie). was discontinued in June 2014 once the rise in gonorrhoea notifications 2014 was halted. FUNDING SUPPORT In 2014, GHN received the following funding support: LGV OUTBREAK CONTROL TEAM GHN was invited to participate on this committee convened in October Friends for Friends € 3 ,000 2014 by the Department of Public Health, HSE East, due to increasing notifications of LGV infections among men who have sex with men, Alternative Miss Ireland € 1,000 primarily in the HSE East area. GHN also participates on an information MAC AIDS Fund € 15,505 sub-group convened from members of this committee to prepare and Other Donations and Fundraising € 100 disseminate information materials to men at risk of LGV infection. To date, a new information leaflet has been developed and a new GMHS, HSE € 4,800 webpage created on the Man2Man.ie website (www.man2man.ie/lgv). HSE Social Inclusion € 30,000 (received Oct 2013 for 2014 activities) The work of the committee will continue into 2015. HSE Health Promotion € 25,000 (received Nov 2013 for 2014 activities) SEXUAL HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK GHN participates on the Sexual Health Communications Network set Total: € 79,405 up by the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme in 2014. The primary aim of the network is to share learnings and co-ordinate and implement sexual health communication actions, activities and events.

PAGE 16 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 17 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 GHN would like to express sincere thanks and appreciation to all funders, ACK- and to those who donated. This funding has enabled GHN to build on the SAFER NOWLEDGE- achievements of the Man2Man.ie programme throughout 2014. SEXY IT’S HARD - IT’S EASY MENTS 2015 GHN would like to express its thanks and appreciation to all who supported GHN activities and projects throughout 2014. There are too many to mention individually! SEASON’S GREETINGS GHN activities would not be possible without the support of its member FROM M2M 2 U - SEXT ON! organisations, and individual members, many of whom volunteer their time, skills and experience to achieving GHN objectives. WITH CONDOMS!

The Directors holding office in 2014: Kevin O’Brien (Secretary), Free condoms are available - Get yours! - Find out where at man2man.ie Lysander Preston (Chairperson), Noel Sutton (Director), Thomas Strong (Jan to June 2014).

Administration and management of Man2Man promotions are carried out with in kind contributions from HIV Ireland and the GMHS, HSE. IT’S HARD - IT’S EASY

HAVE A SAFER SEXY 2015 GET TESTED IN 2015! KNOW THE SCORE - GET TESTED!

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PAGE 18 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 PAGE 19 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 IT’S HARD IT’S HARD - ROCK ON IT’S EASY - TO ASSUME IT’S HARD - BANG ON IT’S EASY

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PAGE 20 GAY HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2014 GAY HEALTH NETWORK www.ghn.ie mail: [email protected] Facebook.com/Man2Man.ie Twitter: @Man2ManIreland