GMFA - The gay men's health charity
Overview
GMFA was founded in 1992, by a group of gay men who felt that there was not enough HIV 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.
From the beginning, GMFA used a model of community mobilisation and peer education. That is, rather than just producing health promotion aimed at gay men, GMFA wanted gay men to play a central role in the design and delivery of interventions. Many things about GMFA have changed, but retaining gay men at the heart of our organization and our work has not. Each year between 160 and 200 people actively volunteer for us, and our methods of developing projects and our policies are built around being a truly volunteer-led organisation.
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. We changed our mission statement and 'Gay Men Fighting AIDS' became 'GMFA - the gay men's health charity'. Over the next few years we aim to develop non-HIV health interventions while maintaining our respected portfolio of HIV health promotion.
Vision
GMFA wants a gay community where individuals are able to make informed choices about their health, and a society that embraces equality and respects the right of people to make informed choices.
Mission
Improving gay men’s health by increasing the control they have over their own lives.
Values
- Interventions should be evidence-based.
- 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.
- A project must not promote the health of one person over another.
- Health promotion should empower people rather than reduce their choices.
- Interventions should be of the greatest value to gay men within the resources available.
- 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.
- All people, regardless of their HIV status, are entitled to a satisfying sex life.
- All people, regardless of their sexual behaviour, sexual identity or HIV status, are entitled to the same rights and respect as all other people.
Services
- Health promotion press campaigns
- Groupwork
- Sexual health magazine
- Booklets
- Campaigns for Black gay men
- Campaigns for gay men with HIV
Our resources
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Wear it, fill it, bin it.
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Created:
11/19/2010
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Download this
posters document
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Time to update your HIV status?
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Created:
11/19/2010
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Download this
posters document
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Healthy gay life counselling
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Created:
11/19/2010
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Download this
leaflets document
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Training and groupwork
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Created:
11/19/2010
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Download this
leaflets document
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Opening times
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Created:
11/19/2010
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Download this
posters document