On 8 September, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching ‘Gay Britain’, a programme of work to help migrant gay and bisexual men who have moved to England and Wales stay safe and well, while getting the most out of living here.

A new website www.chapsonline.org.uk/gaybritain and a set of leaflets in six languages have been produced that include information on HIV and sexual health, as well as a guide to staying safe on the ‘scene’, information on how to access healthcare and benefits, information on immigration issues and where to learn English.

Evidence suggests that migrant gay men are at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) not simply because of a lack of awareness and knowledge, but because of other social and economic factors relating to their migration.  According to research conducted by Sigma Research this is particularly true for those with lower educational qualifications and little knowledge of English.[1]

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at THT said “Some gay men come to the UK to escape homophobia and abuse and to live a more liberated life. But when they get here they find things are more difficult than they expected.  Problems with the language, finding work and affordable accommodation, as well as new-found sexual liberation and the highly sexualised nature of the gay scene can leave men vulnerable to picking up or passing on HIV and other STIs. The website and leaflets aim to give men who are new to the UK the information and contacts they need to stay safe and adjust to life in Gay Britain.”

The pocket sized leaflets have been produced in English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. They can be downloaded from the Gay Britain website or ordered by emailing Andie Dyer at THT on andie.dyer@tht.org.uk

As well as the information for gay men, THT has produced a ‘Scene but unseen’ resource pack. This pack is aimed at people working with gay men or in the sexual health sector who may have migrant clients or service users.

‘Gay Britain’ is a CHAPS campaign, funded by the Department of Health.  CHAPS is a partnership of community-based organisations, co-ordinated by THT, which carry out HIV health promotion work with gay men in England and Wales.

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Notes to editors

• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services across England, Wales and Scotland.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual ill health.
  
•  The CHAPS programme is co-ordinated by THT in partnership with GMFA, Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Yorkshire MESMAC, Trade Men's Sexual Health Project, the Armistead Project, Sheffield Centre for HIV and Sexual Health, the Eddystone Trust, and Sigma Research

[1] Keogh P et al (2004) Migrant gay men: Redefining community, restoring identity. London, Sigma Research