Reaching out

Recently I was invited to chat with members of Victoria Police who were training to be Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs).

In addition to chatting with them about the role of the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC), we looked at why men use beats, including a discussion about when beats are used for sexual contact and when they are used for social contact.

I also discussed with them the role of sex-on-premises venues (SOPVs) and online chatrooms and part of this conversation was about the volunteers I supervise in the Outreach Project.

The Outreach Project is made of gay and bisexual guys who chat with other same-sex attracted men in SOPVs and online in the Gaydar chatrooms. The Outreach volunteers are very much like the guys you meet in venues and bars, in the supermarket and/or the train you catch to work.

They are very much like you and me — pretty average guys, but in this instance guys who have decided to volunteer at least once a month to talk about sexual health, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Training is conducted three times a year, in March, July and November. The next training dates are fast approaching. The July training will be on Saturdays, July 9 and 16. Before the two all-day training sessions, there is a selection interview to ascertain if you are right for the project and the project right for you.

Interested men are required to attend both of the training days. These days are made up of small and large group work with guest speakers who add to the mix of information required to volunteer for this important work.

One of the guests is a representative of the GLLO team who chats in part about their role in our community.
Other guest speakers include a HIV+ man who has cruised in SOPVs and online for sexual and social contact; a representative from the Centre Against Sexual Assault; and two of the guys who currently volunteer with the project.

If you would like to find out what the work as an Outreach volunteer is really like, you can visit the recently revised VAC/GMHC website at www.vicaids.asn.au and click on Outreach under Support & Services. Here you will find a description of the work involved with a link to the JOY 94.9 podcasts page that has an interview with an Outreach volunteer.

Give it a go — it may be the fit for you.

By Tex MCKenzie