AFAO Establishing Peer Advocacy Network for the Sexual Health of Trans Masculinities

Transgender men are not identified as a priority population and are largely overlooked when it comes to sexual health promotion and HIV prevention. There is limited research about the sexual and risk taking behaviours of trans men who have sex with men, particularly among the communities in Asia-Pacific region. That is why Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) established an autonomous working group address the sexual health needs of gay, bisexual and queer transgender men (transgender men who have sex with other men – trans MSM). The working group is titled Peer Advocacy Network for the Sexual Health of Trans Masculinities and shortened as PASH.tm.

PASH.tm comprises of trans men with a diverse range of backgrounds spanning across grassroots activism, community organising, health promotion, HIV education, HIV activism, community development, policy, advocacy, project management, education, creative arts, resource development, sexual health, alcohol and drugs, media, youth and social work. The working group is connected nationally and internationally and seek to build further partnerships improve the sexual health and well-being of trans masculine people.

Their most recent campaign is called GRUNT. Largely targeting trans MSM living in Australia, Grunt is about hot, fun, informed sex between trans guys and cis guys. It’s a space for trans MSM to get accurate, inclusive and sex-positive sexual health information so they can keep it safe, keep it hot and have awesome sex.

To learn more about PASH.tm, go to https://www.afao.org.au/PASHtm or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pashtm.