(Vienna)  In the last few years, the scale of the HIV epidemic amongst men who have sex with men in Africa, Asia and Latin America has become clearer. There is now a body of data on HIV prevalence and on risk behaviours, but attention is now shifting to the inadequate amount of prevention work that is carried out with men who have sex with men in many countries.

In advance of the main AIDS 2010 conference in Vienna, activists and researchers gathered for Be Heard!, which turned out to be the largest pre-conference meeting organised by the Global Forum on MSM & HIV yet. The sessions covered a wide range of issues, especially human rights, but several workshop speakers highlighted how the internet has become central to their work with men who have sex with men.

For example, Yves Yomb from Alternatives-Cameroun explained how  – in a context where homosexuality is penalised, blackmail and police harassment are common, the media are homophobic and funding for work with men who have sex with men is limited (MSM do not figure in Cameroon’s national strategic plan for HIV) – his organisation needed to be creative in finding ways to support men who have sex with men.

The internet is commonly used by men who have sex with men in Cameroon to find sexual partners. Moreover, the net is a relatively safe space where sexuality can be addressed in a frank and honest way. Peer educators surf the most popular websites used for sexual networking, where they befriend and inform men about HIV and other issues which men ask about. As access to condoms and lubricant can be difficult, men met online may be invited to come to the organisation’s centre to get supplies. They may then also find out about the other healthcare services and support groups that Alternatives-Cameroun provides.

Read the full article on aidsmap.com.