When the Health Initiative for Men (HIM) began in 2007, the organization saw a real need for broader health services for gay men.
There were a lot of great organizations dealing with the issue of HIV, but this organization deals with the whole range of gay mens health issues, says HIM executive director Wayne Robert. We deal with counselling, we deal with issues such as social isolation and were making sure the information that goes out is trusted and targeted towards gay men so that its very accessible for them.
HIM provides gay men with a variety of services for physical, sexual, social and mental health issues. The community-based organization tackles these issues with volunteers doing everything from distributing condoms to providing therapy services. (Some volunteers have counselling backgrounds). HIM currently has two centres on Davie Street and Commercial Drive where men can access HIV and STI testing, and counselling services.
We know that only about 75 per cent of gay men tell their doctors that theyre having sex with men, so we know that theyre not necessarily getting the best health care that they could, says Roberts, who has been acting as executive director for three years. At our clinics, that fact is assumed so we dont have that barrier for them. Also gay guys dont always feel comfortable with doing physical fitness activities with mixed groups, some do and some dont, but they can feel it to be a relief and a lowering of a barrier if theres a place where they can be both gay and athletic and involved with the community.
During Pride Week, HIM will have booths and volunteers available to distribute condoms and information, and to any questions that visitors might have. For more information, visit CheckHimOut.ca.
