In its new advocacy programme, MSMGF provides tailor-made, local technical support and funding assistance to encourage breakthrough initiatives that will promote men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender representation and participation in HIV planning processes. By improving and expanding their capacity and skills for advocacy, community leaders will be better able to mitigate the stigma, discrimination and violence targeted against these vulnerable populations and thus reduce barriers to HIV prevention and services.

The project engages with organisations in Central America and North Africa, training trainers in these regions with the help of the Speaking Out advocacy toolkit. The starting point is to identify, name and map stigma, discrimination, injustice and violence targeted towards gay men, other MSM and transgender people in a specific city or region, with a particular focus on how these factors undermine the AIDS response.

Speaking Out then supports two breakthrough initiatives, one in Honduras and one in Mexico, in the development and implementation of locally generated advocacy initiatives to address the issues identified in the mapping, and more broadly, to influence structural factors (which might include HIV policy, HIV funding and legislation) that impinge upon the ability of MSM to access HIV services and fulfil their rights to physical and mental health.

To read more about our other Positive Action projects from the voices of the people on the ground click here.