New sexual health resource for trans men nothing to Grunt at
Image: An image from the new GRUNT campaign for trans men who have sex with cisgender men. Photo: Supplied
TRANS men who have sex with cisgender men will be the target of a new sexual health campaign aimed at providing them with best health information.
The Peer Advocacy network for the Sexual Health of Trans Masculinities (PASH.tm) and Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) have launched GRUNT, a new HIV prevention and sexual health campaign.
GRUNT features images of trans and cis gay, bi and queer men which provides accurate, inclusive and sex-positive sexual health information so trans men can keep it “safe, keep it hot and have awesome sex”.
The campaign grew out of the need to produce accessible and targeted health promotion information for men who may not have the same level of sexual health knowledge and literacy as their cisgender male counterparts, but are engaging in similar kinds of sex.
“This campaign is so important because trans men into men can’t often see ourselves reflected in sexual health campaigns that target gay men and don’t meaningfully and explicitly include trans men, even though we are part of this community,” Ted Cook, campaign leader, PASH.tm said.
“We hope to educate our community while unapologetically celebrating who we are and the guys we hook up with.
“GRUNT is about positive, accurate and contemporary sexual health information with tools on how to stay safe and have a great time with other guys.
“We have worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to develop this Australian-first sexual health and HIV prevention campaign, developed by and for gay, bi and queer trans men. PASH.tm is run by a small number of volunteers who have poured so much passion, experience and expertise into GRUNT.”
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GRUNT will consist of a website, a booklet, a series of posters, a postcard and social media images. The campaign features messages about condoms, PrEP, PEP, risk reduction, resilience and sexual health empowerment.
“Trans men deserve access to quality sexual health information that is developed by them and for them. We’re exceptionally proud that GRUNT delivers that,” AFAO CEO Darryl O’Donnell said.
“HIV is real for all of us. We need to do more to ensure trans men are included when we work with gay, bi and queer men so that we’re embracing everyone in our community and reflecting its real diversity.”
The campaign will be launched across Australia, starting with Sydney on Thursday August 25 and co-hosted by ACON. The Melbourne launch will be co-hosted by VAC (Victorian AIDS Council) and Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre on Friday September 23, and Brisbane will be co-hosted by QuAC in Brisbane on Friday September 30.
