Gay Zone Gaie – A Sexual Health Clinic and More for Guys Into Guys
Presenters:
Christiane Bouchard, Project Officer, Ottawa Public Health/Gay Zone, Ottawa
Barry Deeprose, Co-chair, Ottawa Gay Men’s Wellness Initiative; Rainbow Health Ontario Community Outreach Team, Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health has been working closely with the Gay community since the early 2000’s, trying to
find innovative ways to address increasing rates of STIs and HIV in men who have sex with men. In 2005, the Gay Men’s Wellness Initiative (a coalition of community partners and individuals that fosters the wellness of gay men) in partnership with Ottawa Public Health surveyed 201 gay/bisexual/transmen during the Pride Information Fair to assess their experience and needs regarding the accessibility and appropriateness of Health Services in Ottawa. Following this survey there were on-going discussions with Ottawa Public Health to find ways to address some of the issues identified. In 2007 issues surrounding accessibility for gay men to STI/HIV testing prompted the Gay Men’s Wellness Initiative to meet with the Medical Officer of Health. Following that meeting, Centretown Community Health Centre offered free access to their centre which included a medical clinic one evening a week to the GMWI partners and Ottawa Public Health in order to offer a targeted Sexual Health Clinic to MSM as well as Wellness programming for men of all ages. An advisory committee was struck to discuss the type of model, the vision and mission of this pilot project.
A logic model as well as a Project charter was agreed upon and signed by all partners. The Gay Zone Gaie evolved in response to an identified need to create a space where gay men (who are connected in some way with gay male communities and/or a gay male identity) can access culturallyappropriate screening and treatment of STIs, anonymous testing for HIV and complementary programming that enhances their wellness and creates community. Building partnerships and trust within the community is time intensive but has proven to be crucial to the success of this particular model of sexual health service. The foundation of this relationship is based on mutual respect and collaboration in an equal partnership.
