The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is a regional coalition of MSM and HIV community-based organisations, the government sector, donors, technical experts and the UN system. The main purpose is advocating for political support and increases in investment and coverage of HIV services in Asia Pacific. APCOM promotes principles of good practice and lessons learnt by bringing together representatives from diverse groups in an effort to share experience, knowledge and expertise.
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Defining "MSM"

“Men who have sex with men” (MSM) is an inclusive public health term used to define the sexual behaviours of males having sex with other males, regardless of gender identity, motivation for engaging in sex or identification with any or no particular ‘community’. The words 'man' and 'sex' are interpreted differently in diverse cultures and societies as well as by the individuals involved. As a result, the term MSM covers a large variety of settings and contexts in which male to male sex takes place.

The Goals of APCOM

Increased investment: from governments, donors and civil society groups and communities in appropriate research and effective interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for men who have sex with men and transgenders in the Asia Pacific region.

Scaled up programmatic, geographic and comprehensive coverage: of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support interventions for men who have sex with men and transgenders in the Asia Pacific.

Strengthen the evidence-base for advocacy, policy development, programming and reducing societal, legal, and institutional obstacles for the above.

Performer at World AIDS Day event in Kuala Lumpur

Participants from the Pacific at 200 Forum in Bali

Advocacy in Action

HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? APCOM TAKES STOCK ON WORLD AIDS DAY 2011

Key Coalition’s Annual Report on MSM HIV Issues for Asia and the Pacific

1 December 2011 on the occassion of World AIDS Day

New APCOM Executive Director Midnight Poonkasetwattana at ICAAP10

(Bangkok) Significant global and regional policy progress will be undone by budget cuts at the global level. This is a major cause for alarm for men who have sex with men (MSM) interventions and organisations working at the front line to address issues of stigma and discrimination, high HIV rate among MSM, non-enabling environment and access to services in Asia and the Pacific.

“HIV may have officially marked its 30th birthday in 2011, but it’s only just beginning to come of age in many parts of our region,” notes Shivananda Khan, APCOM Co-Chair, Chief Executive of Naz Foundation International and a Steering Committee member of the Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF). “We’re seeing a rapid rise in the number of MSM HIV cases in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, where in the Philippines, MSM account for nearly 70% of all new HIV cases.”

Reports show MSM are 19 times more at risk of HIV than the general population. Unless effective prevention measures are stepped up and total spending increased from the current spending of just four per cent, by 2020 MSM could account for almost half of all new HIV infections. Khan continued, “And yet, just a short while ago, we learnt of the cancellation of Round 11 of the Global Fund, a major blow to HIV programming with the Asia Pacific region.”

The 2010 MSM and Multicity HIV and MSM Initiative, that APCOM partnered with the UN and USAID, shows the HIV prevalence among these populations in six cities in the region has reached critical levels. “In many cities, MSM now shoulder a disproportionate burden of HIV infections”, said Edmund Settle, HIV Policy Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Regional Centre. “The study’s primary conclusion demonstrates –that innovative and effective approaches to HIV prevention efforts among MSM require a supportive enabling legal and social environment, addressing discriminatory police and health sector practices and ensuring the full participation of communities in city-level responses.”

APCOM has been actively engaged in global initiatives providing the MSM perspective from Asia and the Pacific to be engaged with policy and advocacy that can impact their work. One example of active advocacy was APCOM’s participation in the 2011 Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law in Bangkok, part of a global initiative by UNDP. “It was exhilarating to address a high-level gathering of government officials, legal and constitutional experts, law enforcement authorities, NGOs and community activists,” said Dr. Stuart Koe, APCOM Co-Chair, and founder of Fridae.com. “With so many differing viewpoints, it was sometimes difficult to empathize with those at opposite ends on the issues. But ultimately we all realized the need to arrive at a consensus as to how best legal frameworks could assist in tackling HIV. It really was a true dialogue and consensus, with all agreeing collectively to begin charting a roadmap for the years ahead.”

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Download this complete press release (PDF).

APCOM Co-Chair Dr Stuart Koe speaking at HIV and Law Dialogue

UNDP HIV Policy Specialist Edmund Settle at ICAAPX

APCOM Co-Chair Shivananda Khan OBE at ICAAPX

Picture of APCOM folks and supporter at ICAAP10

APCOM at ICAAPX with Executive Director Michel Sidibe of UNAIDS

APCOM calls on Malaysian police to lift the ban on the country's annual sexuality rights festival

PTF Director Raymond Tai at recent ICAAPX in Busan, Korea

PT Foundation was one of the community partners of festival

APCOM Release to the Media
5 November 2011

The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is echoing the concern voiced by PT Foundation and other Malaysian LGBT activists over the blanket ban imposed by police on Seksualiti Merdeka (‘sexuality independence’), an annual festival held in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

This year's event was due to take place 1-13 November under the theme “Queer without Fear”, advocating for equal rights and human dignity for LGBT communities, with the participation of leading NGOs, artists and activists. However, police declared a ban on the event just as it was about to get underway, a move supported by some Islamic groups in this Muslim nation who say the event promotes homosexuality.

Event organizers and supporters point out that the event advocates for the rights and well-being of LGBT individuals, and is an important vehicle to raise HIV awareness and strengthen health-seeking behaviour in a country where the epidemic continues to spread among vulnerable populations including men who have sex with men.

APCOM calls upon Malaysian authorities to lift the ban which effectively contributes to the significant stigma and discrimination that continues to affect MSM and other vulnerable communities in Malaysia because of sexual orientation and gender identity. Stigma is a key driver of the HIV globally and regionally, lying at the heart of the challenge in tackling the epidemic. If Malaysian authorities are to address HIV effectively, and fulfill the country's global obligations in this regard, actions such as the ban on Seksuality Merdeka will significantly hinder, not help, these efforts.

Download the complete PDF of this APCOM Media Advisory, with contact information.

From the Governing Board

Evidence of the increasing HIV burden that MSM are carrying is finally coming to light, and is now beginning to influence policy making. At last, some governments, donors, and the UN system are taking leadership in scaling up effective responses. A window of opportunity exists in the region right now, and APCOM intends to make a concerted effort to ensure MSM are included in the drive for universal access.

Shivananda is the APCOM Chairperson and Chief Executive of Naz Foundation International and works from their Regional Office in Lucknow, India.

We, at Hivos, believe in the power of organisations like APCOM, in which a broad coalition works together to improve the situation of MSM and TG in Asia Pacific. We believe that the work APCOM is doing can bring the change that is needed and are proud to support and be part of this important and exciting process.

Paul is the Programme Officer for LGBT Rights and MSM-HIV for Hivos, an APCOM donor partner, and serves as a Donor Sector Representitive on the Board.