It has been a very long time since I have been inspired by a new program and support system for the men who have sex with men (MSM). It seems to me over the last six to eight years there has been a steady decline and in some cases the complete loss of programming that addresses the concerns and needs of the MSM community. This is not an issue unique to my city of Calgary as it has been recognized and acknowledged by almost all AIDS Service Organizations (ASO’s) within Alberta and across our great nation.

It is my belief this decline is the direct result of funding dollars being reallocated by the people who control them; the Federal and Provincial Governments, Pharmaceutical companies and other private donors and funders who have shifted their funding and rules from MSM programs away to other emerging demographics.

New data shows a sharp increase in the number of new HIV infections for women; First Nations, injection drug users (IDU) and prisoners. This, in combination with a steady decline of new cases of HIV in the MSM population, indicated that they understood the message of practicing safer sex and getting tested.

This loss of MSM programming made way for a decrease in new infections within the aforementioned emerging groups. But sadly it saw the rate of new HIV infections rise again within the MSM population of Alberta, as shown in recent statistical data collected by our provincial watchdogs within Alberta Health and Wellness in 2008.

This leads me to the most groundbreaking “pilot” program I have heard about in a long time: “Towel Talk”. It grew from a concept originally presented at the 2007 Ontario Gay Men’s Health Summit and is operated by The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT - www.actoronto.ca) providing an informal counseling opportunity for MSM who are using the community bathhouses as a place to meet other men.

This program provides access to a professional that has undergone intense counselor training and additional three day training program with ACT prior to engaging the community - an individual that has clear boundaries and is comfortable with his own personal sexuality. This is an opportunity to approach and address the needs and issues that are unique to the MSM population, as they are not just gay men. They include gay, bi, and questioning men, who can each carry a host of issues from safer sex to guilt about being in a bathhouse in the first place.

The counselor is identified by a t-shirt worn only when on duty and is provided a room by the bathhouse where he waits for someone to stop in and check out why he is there. The bathhouse also provides guests with a “palm card” 3 hours prior to his start time that says “WANNA TALK” and provides the room number where the counselor is located, as well as information on the agencies involved in the program.

The counselor then remains for a certain shift length and spends time working with and assisting patrons with the complex psycho-social issues that we know are driving new infections of HIV. There has also been a small survey developed for each participant to fill out if they choose, in order to gauge the effectiveness and tweak the program when gaps are identified. There is also a referral and follow up process in this program for additional support outside the bathhouse and/or other community services. The counselor is also available to support these patrons in accessing these services.

So far “Towel Talk” has been implemented at four forward thinking businesses catering to Toronto’s MSM community: Spa XS, Steamworks, Central Spa and Saint Marc’s. It is a bold and innovative approach that I believe will reduce infections, provide support in a way that other service providers simply cannot, and give these men the tools and information they need to lead long, healthy and HIV free lives.

Now it would not be fair of me to go on about this Toronto based program without acknowledging two really great programs here in Calgary developed between Safeworks, AIDS Calgary and Goliaths Saunatel. AIDS Calgary has HEAT, a great program that focusing on the MSM population through direct outreach, educational information and direct support service. Meanwhile Safeworks has a program that provides HIV and other STI testing, Hepatitis C testing, flu shots, vaccines and other important health information onsite for patrons; each with set and advertised times of operation.

I personally think it would be a great idea to consider a similar pilot here in our major Alberta cities, as we too have a hard to reach population of men, both at risk and in need for this very kind of support. But to take an idea like this to the next level requires identifying the need for it.

I finish this article with a few questions to all you MSM out there. Do you think a similar program would be of value in our community and would you access it if it were available? Please get back to me with your thoughts and suggestions.

Cheers, and enjoy a HOT Safe Summer!