HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is launching two free sexual health workshops for gay and bisexual men in the West Midlands during March.  The workshops, called ‘Curious Cupid’ and ‘Sex Toy Story’, aim to fill any gaps in knowledge that men might have when it comes to safer sex and sexual health. 

Both sessions are free, confidential and will take place at Terrence Higgins Trust’s centre in Coventry. ‘Curious Cupid’ will be held on Thursday 15 March from 6.45pm - 9pm and ‘Sex Toy Story’ on Thursday 29 March from 6.45pm - 9pm. Both sessions will be followed by a chance for men to socialise and receive further information and advice on Terrence Higgins Trust’s services and support.

Sex education in schools and colleges is not consistent, and few courses cover gay sex in any detail. Terrence Higgins Trust’s two-hour group sessions address the issues around sexual health in a fun and engaging way. ‘Curious Cupid’ aims to give men the confidence to approach men they fancy, including what tools to use and how to handle rejection. ‘Sex Toy Story’ covers everything men need to know about sex toys, from how to use them to how to stay safe whilst having fun. Men can choose to come to one or both courses.

Ewan McPherson, from Terrence Higgins Trust in Coventry, said: “As sex education in schools is still very much geared around procreation, with little attention paid to sex as recreation, we know many gay men leave the education system with big gaps in their knowledge. Our new courses have been designed to increase guys’ confidence, which should help them make good, informed decisions about the type of sex they have.

"Guys don’t often get the chance to talk openly and frankly about the sex that they are having or would like to have. These groups offer that opportunity, and a safe space to ask questions"

For further information, or to book a place, please call (02476) 229 292 or email ewan.mcpherson@tht.org.uk.

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For media information, please contact Charlotte Senior at Terrence Higgins Trust on (020) 7812 1623, or email charlotte.senior@tht.org.uk.

Notes to editors

1. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups. We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination, and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. Visit www.myhiv.org.uk, our new site for everyone living with HIV in the UK, for accredited information, self management tools, interactive web services and community forums. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, or to find out about everything that we do visit www.tht.org.uk.