14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain — July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12;14:Abstract No. F11719

[ABSTRACT:] Issue: Operating and sustaining a community center for msm in manila provides a safe, accessible place to meet and gather, as well as a venue for community-based activities and educational services. funding for such centers, however, is not always readily available and lack of it forces such a center to cease operation.

DESCRIPTION: Since 1992, the library foundation (tlf), through its community center, has provided services crucial to the promotion of hiv/aids education and prevention: an msm information resource center, in-house helpline phone counselling and hiv workshops. in addition, tlf promotes a united and empowered msm community through activities such as focus group discussions, poetry reading and sports tournaments. the center, however, has been faced with physical closure more than once inspite of the operators efforts to raise necessary funding to keep the center operational.

LESSONS LEARNED: Tlf continues to implement hiv prevention programs with or without the existence of a center. based on our assessment, the existence of a physical space in a known location, where msm feel comfortable and safe, is crucial to an effective community-based hiv prevention program for filipino msm. the absence of a center has forced regular guests/visitors to seek alternative venues often underground, unsafe and difficult to reach. information dissemination and safer sex behavior sustenance prove extremely difficult.

RECOMMENDATION: A center is currently operational. in a community-based approach, keeping the center operational remains an essential tool to access hard-to-reach communities like msm. community-led fund-raising activities organized by peer volunteers and assistance from local organizations can help sustain the center and its activities. similarly, government and funding agencies should be supportive of such programs.

Presenting author: Ricardo Jose Vasquez

1The Library Foundation, Sunvar Plaza, Suite t4, Amorsolo St., Makati City 1200.

020708
F11719

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