"Be Real," a New Gay Men's HIV Prevention Campaign, to Launch June 19th
Toronto, 12 June 2006 — In response to rising HIV infection rates among gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), the Ontario Gay Men's HIV Prevention Strategy Working Group will launch "Be Real," a new prevention campaign that encourages men to take care of themselves and their sexual partners, at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 19 in the Grosvenor Room at the Metro Toronto YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street. Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman will provide opening remarks.
"This campaign is about community," says David Parnell, Ontario Gay Men's HIV Prevention Campaign Coordinator. "It challenges men to think about their sexual decision-making in terms of how it affects not only themselves but the people they care about and the communities they belong to."
"Be Real" is the culmination of several research studies that identified a range of psychosocial factors as important determinants of gay and bisexual men's sexual health. Translated into 14 languages, the campaign will reach men across Ontario. With imagery that reflects the diversity among gay, bisexual and MSM , "Be Real" targets men from various ethno-cultural communities, men from the trans and bear/leather communities, and youth.
"The intention is to encourage discussion on everything from racism to ageism to HIV/AIDS stigma — to really get men thinking about how the way we perceive ourselves and the way others perceive us and treat us affects our behaviour," Parnell adds.
Timed to coincide with Toronto's Pride Week, "Be Real" rolls out in 26 cities across Ontario on billboards, garbage cans, bus shelters, and on the Internet at www.ru4real.ca.
For more information about the campaign, or for visual materials, please contact David Parnell at the AIDS Committee of Toronto at 416-340-8484, ext. 274 or dparnell@actoronto.org.