Summit Program - GMSH | Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance

The Ins and Outs 

of Gay Men: 

Sex, Loads, and Technology 

PRIDE, PLEASURE 

AND POWER 

Gay Men’s Sexual Health Summit 2011 

February 9 – 11 / Delta Chelsea Hotel 

February 27 th - 29 th 

Delta Chelsea Hotel

WELCOME 

WELCOME 

Dear colleagues, 

Dear Colleagues, 

On On behalf behalf of the of Gay the Men’s Gay Sexual Men’s Health Sexual Alliance Health (GMSH) Alliance Summit Planning (GMSH) Committee, Summit is Planning a pleasure to Committee, welcome you it is a 

to pleasure the 7th Annual to welcome Gay Men’s Sexual you to Health the Summit. 8 th Annual It is our Gay hope Men’s that the Sexual next three Health days are Summit. valuable for It you is our and your hope that 

organizations. the next three Many people days are have valuable dedicated their for you time and effort your to organizations. 

constructing a Summit filled with what we hope will 

be ongoing dialogues and of-the-moment discussions. 

This year’s Summit builds out of our conversations about syndemics and resilience at last year’s 

You Summit. may notice We a few continue changes from to previous dig deeper year’s to Summits. understand Following resilience the keynote addresses, in the context we have of shifted gay towards men’s lives, 

conversation-based celebrate our response strengths, panels and that investigate will build on the the themes impact and issues that raised multiple in the forms keynote of address. oppression We have also have had 

expanded on our the lives. Summit’s Gay breakout men have sessions been so that part they of a are human longer in rights length, battle allowing that participants has brought to spend us more to time a point in 

with time specific where topics we and have further greater their knowledge equality and under skills in the specific law. areas However, of interest. we We still have need included to understand a number of what 

performances has changed during our the lunch lives breaks, and communities. and have included What a social inequalities event to create remain? more opportunities How do for we delegates move forward? 

to 

network and to continue the conversations started over the next few days. 

The Summit is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the impact that homophobia and other 

This forms year’s of Summit oppressions theme is “Pride, have Power had and on Pleasure.” our lives, It was celebrate important to our the strengths planning committee and resilience, that the keynote and to ask 

addresses, 

questions 

presentations 

about what 

and skills 

comes 

building 

next 

sessions 

for us 

focus 

as gay, 

on our 

bisexual, 

strengths, 

trans, 

and that 

and 

they 

2-spirt 

frame our 

men 

sexual 

and 

health 

also as a 

messages through the lens of pleasure and desire. This Summit is an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with each 

movement responding to our sexual health needs. 

other about the complicated social web that influences sexual decision-making, share in our successes, shine a light on 

the areas we need to understand more clearly, and grow together as a community. 

Thank you for joining us. 

Thank you for joining us, 

Owen Owen McEwen McEwen 

Director, Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) 

Director, Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance 

468 Queen Street East, Suite 201 

Toronto, 

468 Queen 

Ontario, 

Street 

M4Y 1B6 

East, Suite 201 

Tel: Toronto, 416-364-4555 Ontario, ext. 301M4Y 1B6 

Fax: Tel: 416-364-1250 416-364-4555 ext. 301 

OMcEwen@gmsh.ca 

Fax: 416-364-1250 

OMcEwen@gmsh.ca 

2 

Gay Men’s Sexual Health Summit 2011

Acknowledgements 

The Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance would like to acknowledge the contributions of: 

The GMSH Summit Planning Committee 

Christiane Bouchard, Gaston Cotnoir, Jonathan Degenhardt, Garfield Durrant, Shazad Hai, 

Trevor Hart, Rick Julien, Paul McCarty-Johnston, Rick Kennedy, Bob Leahy, Rob MacKay, Duncan 

Maclachlan, Frank McGee, James Murray, Richard Utama, Haran Vijayanathan 

Confersense Planners 

Chuck Schouwerwou, Nick Sont, Marie Marin, Nicole Jeffrey, Ed and Leny Schouwerwou 

Special Thanks: 

All presenters and panelists 

The AIDS Bureau, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care 

The staff of the Ontario AIDS Network 

The staff of the Delta Chelsea 

Management at Woody’s and Sailor 

The GMSH Summit is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, AIDS Bureau.

FLOOR PLAN 

DELtA CHELSEA HOtEL 

SOUTH TOWER 

COURTYARD 

MOUNTBATTEN LANE 

BAKER 

B 

MOUNTBATTEN 

WINDSOR 

KITCHEN 

SKYLIGHTS 

CHURCHILL 

COURT 

A 

CHURCHILL 

A 

MOUNTBATTEN 

COURT 

BLUE 

STAIRS 

B 

M 

W 

COATROOM 

ELEVATORS 

SECOND FLOOR 

STEVENSON 

ROOM 

SEYMOUR 

ROOM 

THIRD FLOOR 

STAIRS 

C 

ROSSETTI 

ROOM 

B 

A 

M 

W 

WHEN ROOM 

C B A 

RED 

ELEVATORS 

SERVICE KITCHEN 

WHISTLER 

ROOM 

DUCHESSE 

ROOM 

CHEST- 

ERTON 

ROOM 

STORAGE 

SCOTT ROOM 

B A 

CARLYLE ROOM 

B A 

M 

W 

TURNER 

ROOM 

JAMES 

ROOM 

AUSTEN 

ROOM 

NEWTON 

ROOM 

GALS- 

WORTHY 

ROOM 

NORTH TOWER 

Pride, Pleasure and Power 

3

Summit Programme: 

Global Village 

“Our globe has been contracted into a village by electric technology and the instantaneous movement of information from 

every quarter to every point at the same time. In bringing all social and political functions together in a sudden implosion, 

electric speed heightened human awareness of responsibility to an intense degree” – (Marshall McLuhan, 1962) 

Book Sale: “Growing Up Gay* In Bruce and Grey” is a collection of reflections on growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, 

or transgender in Bruce and Grey counties from a variety of perspectives and in different forms. Newly out and seasoned 

veterans share their experiences, joys, sorrows, and life lessons. This collection of stories was collected by the AIDS 

Committee of Guelph and Wellington counties own Joan Beecroft, herself a long-time resident of Grey-Bruce and printed 

by the Ginger Press in Owen Sound with help from the Pride and Prejudice youth group. Cost: $25.00 

Book Sale: “On Growin’ Up…..a guide” (Mon Feb 27 only) Ryan Kerr is an author, artist, performer, and public speaker 

whose cheeky autobiographical coming out story has prompted workshops with students, educators and conference 

attendees both nationally and internationally. Since its publication in May of 2010, “On Growin’ Up...a guide” has 

been presented at Shakespeare & Company Bookstore (Paris), Arkadia International Bookstore (Helsinki), Bluestockings 

Bookstore and Activist Center (New York), and at York University and the University of Toronto. He has presented to 

high schools in the Peel, Halton, York and Toronto districts, and at the Lavender Languages and Linguistics Conference at 

American University in Washington D.C. Cost: $20.00 

Booth: “Universities Without Walls” (UWW), the educational and training arm of the CIHR Centre for REACH in HIV/AIDS, 

provides a national interdisciplinary learning and mentorship program, connecting academics, community members and 

policy makers to explore HIV research together. UWW is developing the next generation of HIV researchers in Canada. 

We recruit the best and the brightest to ensure a better understanding of the complex issues affecting people with HIV. 

Booth: “Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO)” is a province-wide program that works to improve the health and well-being of 

lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Ontario through education, research, outreach and public policy advocacy. We 

are based at Sherbourne Health Centre in downtown Toronto. Sherbourne has been providing comprehensive primary 

health programs and services to the LGBT communities since 2003 and frequently provides consultation and expertise on 

LGBT health issues. 

Booth: “Centre for Spanish Speaking Persons” 

Booth: “Snowblower 2012: A health and wellness festival for guys into guys” 

Snowblower, Ottawa’s festival for guys into guys, has been held annually since its inception in 2007. The festival celebrates 

male sexuality and is a proudly sex positive, inclusive festival, hosting a diverse range of events such as workshops, 

discussion groups, and community and cultural events. The festival aims to promote health and wellness among Ottawa’s 

population of men who have sex with men by building community and social capital. 

Snowblower 2012 was held February 9-19 in Ottawa and has been proudly hosted by the AIDS Committee of Ottawa in 

association with key community partners. 

Art Exhibit: “Colour Me Queer”. 

The Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP) in collaboration with Arnab Banerji of Magic Lantern Photography 

and self-identified queer South Asian volunteers have developed a unique initiative titled ‘Colour Me Queer’. ‘Colour Me 

Queer’ is a visual space given form through photography and personal narratives from queer South Asians that highlight 

elements of ourselves that make us proud. The aim is to use art to challenge homophobia and other oppressions that 

compromise our health and well-being. The images will be released in March as part of a postcard campaign that we invite 

you to learn more about. See how you can get involved! 

**There will also be a selection of Research Posters related to GBMSM available for viewing in our Global Village. Some 

of these will compliment the content that is being presented in our “Research Briefs” break out session**

Monday February 27, 2012 

7:30AM - 9:00AM 

9:00AM - 9:15AM 

9:15AM - 10:00AM 

10:00AM - 10:10AM 

10:15AM - 12:00PM 

12:00PM - 1:00PM 

1:00PM - 2:30PM 

2:30PM - 2:45PM 

2:45PM - 4:00PM 

4:00PM - 5:00PM 

Tuesday February 28, 2012 

7:30AM - 9:00AM 

9:00AM - 10:00AM 

10:00AM - 10:15AM 

10:15AM - 11:45AM 

11:45AM - 12:30PM 

12:30PM - 1:30PM 

1:30PM - 2:45PM 

2:45PM - 3:00PM 

3:00PM - 3:45PM 

Breakfast - Mountbatten Lane 

Welcome - Mountbatten Lane 

Keynote Plenary - Alan Downs “The Velvet Rage” - Mountbatten Room 

Nutrition Break - Mountbatten Lane 

“Beyond Shame and HIV: Empowering Gay Men” a workshop (Alan Downs) - Mountbatten 

Room 

Networking Lunch - Mountbatten Lane 

Plenary Panel - Devan Nambiar with Alan Li and Suhail Abualsameed: “Pride & Prejudice 

under the Rainbow: Racism, Homophobia & Minority Stress” - Mountbatten Room 


Breakout Sessions 

Plenary - Trevor Hart: “Social Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Strengths among Gay and 

Bi Men” - Mountbatten Room 


Plenary - Amy Herrick: “Resilience among Gay Men” - Mountbatten Room 


Plenary Panel - Greta Bauer, Nik Redman, Ambrose Kirby and Zack Marshall: “Trans Guys & 

Sex - No Assumptions Allowed!” - Mountbatten Room 

Table Conversations: “What are the implications for our work?” 


Breakout Sessions 


Plenary - Olivier Ferlatte: “The Sex Now Survey” - Mountbatten Room 

3:45PM - 4:30PM Plenary - David Brennan: “That Body Has No Pores! Queer Men and Body Image” - 

Mountbatten Room 

7:00PM - 12:00AM 

Wednesday February 29, 2012 

7:30AM - 9:00AM 

Social Event - Woody’s (Church Street) 


9:00 AM - 10:00AM Plenary - Joshua Rosenberger & David Novak: “Forming an ‘Assets-Based’ Academic/Corporate 

Partnership: Development to Dissemination of the US Men’s National Sex Study” 

- Mountbatten Room 

10:00AM - 10:45AM 

Plenary - Jody Jollimore: “Hottest at the Start” - Mountbatten Room 

10:45AM - 11:00AM 

11:00AM - 11:45AM 

11:45AM - 12:45PM 

12:45PM - 1:30PM 

1:30PM - 2:15PM 

2:15PM - 3:15PM 

3:15PM - 3:30PM 


Interview discussion/Q&A - Todd Klinck and Daniel Pugh - “Sex for Sale: Secrets from the 

Frontlines” - Mountbatten Room 


Table Conversations: “What are the implications for our work?” 

Plenary – Daniel McGraw, Darren Ho and Rui Pires: “Youth Leadership - Totally Outright and 

Our City of Colours” - Mountbatten Room 

Plenary - Simon Rosser: “How Internet-based HIV Prevention is Transforming Sex, Risk and 

Prevention for Men Who Have Sex With Men- Mountbatten Room 

Nutrition Break - Mountbatten Lane


7:30AM - 9:00AM 

9:00AM - 9:15AM 

Breakfast 

- Mountbatten Lane 

Welcome - Mountbatten Lane 

Full Program 

9:15AM - 10:00AM 

Alan Downs, PhD 

DBT Recovery Centre 

10:00AM - 10:15AM 

10:15AM - 12:00PM 



12:00PM - 1:00PM 

1:00PM - 2:30PM 

Devan Nambiar 

Rainbow Health Ontario 

Alan Li 

Regent Park 

Suhail Abualsameed 


2:30PM - 2:45PM 

The Velvet Rage 

Today’s gay man enjoys unprecedented acceptability in society, but despite this hard-won 

social and political victory serious problems still exist in the gay community. Substance 

abuse, depression, suicide and sex addiction are at an all-time high, causing many gay 

men to ask, “are we really better off?” Drawing on contemporary psychological research, 

three stages of a gay man’s journey out of shame are described and practical and 

inspired strategies to stop the cycle of avoidance and self-defeating behavior are offered. 

“The Velvet Rage is becoming a touchstone in gay culture just as Goodbye to Berlin was in the 

30s, A Boy’s Own Story in the 60s and Faggots in the 70s.”—Observer (UK) - Mountbatten Room 

Nutrition Break 

Beyond Shame and HIV: Empowering Gay Men (workshop) 

The lives of gay men have been severely impacted by two distinct psychological factors over the past 

fifty years: 1) social stigmatization, marginalization and homophobia, and 2) HIV. The past decade 

has witnessed remarkable improvement in both of these factors. While there is still progress to be 

had, the increasing social acceptance of gay men coupled with the transformation of HIV from a 

terminal disease to a manageable chronic illness has, for the first time, shifted the gay man’s focus 

from social and physical survival to more existential concerns, such as finding meaning in life and 

relationships. Now, more than ever, gay men are reaching out to increase meaning, purpose and 

passion in their lives. This workshop explores the gay man’s journey into authenticity where he 

no longer allows his life to be defined by reacting to a homophobic environment or the struggle to 

survive an epidemic. How he overcomes the old “shame reflex” that can lead to addictive and selfdestructive 

behaviors to find a deeper and more authentic self, and specific skills for enhancing his 

life, relationship and career will be presented. - Mountbatten Room 


Pride & Prejudice under the Rainbow: 

Racism, Homophobia & Minority (Panel) 

The panel presentation will hear from three speakers on racism, homophobia and minority stress 

based on their specific experiences and perspectives: The session will address the historical, 

social, political context of race, class, sexuality, identity and location. Additionally the presentation 

will provide feedback from a focus group with racialized cis and trans gay, bi and queer men. 

The feedback will explore resilience and well being of participants. The panel presentation will 

provide an opportunity for the audience to be allies in building greater community collaboration. 

Devan will be joined by speakers Alan Li and Suhail Abualsameed - Mountbatten Room 

Nutrition Break -Mountbatten Lane 

2:45PM - 4:00PM 

Concurrent Sessions 

Bernice Chau 

#1. Switch It Up: Stories and Resources for and by LGBT Youth 

“I’ve seen Glee. It must be easy growing up queer, trans or two-spirit these days, isn’t it?” Think 

again. Switch It Up is a project bringing together the voices of LGBTTIQ2S youth across Ontario 

to name homophobia and transphobia in our lives and in our communities. Lesbian Gay Bi 

Trans Youth Line, in collaboration with eight local community organizations, have been asking 

youth through a series of arts-based workshops, “what does homophobia and transphobia look 

like, sound like and feel like?” From these stories, a Public Service Announcement video, poster 

and toolkit were developed as youth resources to challenge homophobia and transphobia in 

our lives and in our communities. This talk will look at the story of Switch It Up as a project of 

community development and youth empowerment. -Stevenson Room



Francisco Ibáñez- 

Carrasco PhD 

Ontario HIV Treatment 

Network 

#2. Mental Health in Gay Men’s Health: Fit to be Tied? 

Jointly creating an overview of the issues of mental health related to the sexuality of gay 

men is the starting point of this presentation. Broad issues related to HIV and mental health 

will be highlighted in relation to current Canadian research in this area. Armed with this 

overview and the research highlights, the participants will be invited to think from their 

unique perspectives about key issues emerging in the mental health of very diverse and 

diversely located gay men. One question has emerged from the HIV work (frontline, academic 

and policy) over the last 30 years: where does mental health fit in the HIV movement? This 

question will be reformulated and posed back to the participants: where does mental health 

fit in gay men’s health? The session intends to ignite ideas for participants to take to their 

spheres of action. -Scott Room 

Duncan MacLachlan 

AIDS Committee of Toronto 

Mike Cecilio 

AIDS Committee of Ottawa 

Siva Gunaratnam 


Richard Utama 

Asian Community AIDS 

Services 

#3. Programming Resilience: “Pig Sex, SLAM & Snowblower” 

While deficit assumptions about gay men and their sexual health remain the dominant 

paradigm, programs and interventions that are rooted in strength based approaches 

have already been implemented successfully in Ontario. Join host Duncan MacLachlan 

with guests Michael Cecilio (ACO), Richard Utama (ACAS) and Siva Gunaratnam 

(ACT) in an exploration of putting resilience based programming into action. 

Groundbreaking programs like The Pig Sex Project, Sex. Love. Asian Men. (S.L.A.M.), and the 

Snowblower Festival will be featured. What does resilience programming look like? How is 

it received? How do resilience based programs foster shamelessness, sexual creativity and 

social support? What are tips and strategies to implement strength based programming? 

What changes when we adopt a strength based approach to gay men’s sexual health? Join 

us in an informal talk show format for an engaging discussion that welcomes your questions. 

-Wren Room 

James Wilton 

CATIE 

Len Tooley 

CATIE 

Garfield Durrant 

Black CAP 

David Lewis-Peart 

Black CAP 

#4. Understanding and Communicating Risk: 

Viral load and HIV transmission 

Emerging research is complicating the messaging we give around risk and requiring us to take a 

more nuanced approach. This workshop will explore the latest research on the biology of HIV 

transmission focusing on viral load and the risk of HIV transmission when the blood viral load 

is undetectable. The workshop will also take a closer look at how these research studies are 

conducted and how risk is calculated. A presentation of the latest research will be followed by 

a discussion around the key messages we can provide to clients around risk -Rossetti Room. 

#5. Many Men, Many Voices 

Black CAP revised version of the Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) intervention, gives 

participants additional tools for dealing with the social, emotional and psychological drivers 

for unsafe sex, such as depression, stress, anxiety and internalized homophobia which in 

turn helps them understand and identify risk factors and behaviours related to HIV and STIs. 

We will be doing two (2) exercises which will give the audience a taste of the 3MV retreat 

programming, namely: 

• Introduction to Mind Training: The facilitator demonstrates the roles of the 

subconscious and conscious minds, and discusses with attendees the ways in which the 

mind creates experiences. Participants are invited to consider what kinds of scenarios 

in their subconscious minds are informing their conscious behaviours and actions 

• Spokes and Wheels Brainstorming: Participants are lead to recognize the role that 

homophobia and racism play in their own perceptions of themselves and other Black and 

gay men, and how this informs the ways in which they behave. - Mountbatten Room



4:00PM - 5:00PM 

Dr. Trevor Hart 

Ryerson University 

Social Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Strengths among 

Gay and Bi Men 

Dr. Hart will present on the relationship between mental health and sexual health among 

gay and bisexual men, with a focus on social anxiety, depression, and sexual health. He 

will present research as to why many gay and bisexual men have higher social anxiety and 

depression, with a focus on the homophobic context in which gay and bisexual men grow up 

and live as adults. Dr. Hart will also discuss gay men’s resilience, and his current research on 

how gay and bisexual men are psychologically resilient despite experiencing homophobia, 

and the development of sex-positive counselling programs that promote the mental health 

and sexual health of gay and bisexual men. - Mountbatten Room 


7:30AM - 9:00AM 

9:00AM - 10:00AM 

Amy Herrick 

University of Pittsburgh 

10:00AM - 10:15AM 

10:15AM - 11:45AM 

Zack Marshall 

Memorial University of 

Newfoundland 

Greta Bauer 

University of Western 

Ontario 

Nik Redman 

Trans Pulse 

Ambrose Kirby 

12:30PM - 1:30PM 


Resilience among Gay Men 

Men who have sex with men experience high rates of psychosocial health problems such 

as depression, substance use, and victimization that may be in part the result of adverse 

life experiences related to cultural marginalization and homophobia. However, MSM also 

evidence great resilience to the effects of adversity. Investigating and harnessing these 

natural strengths and resiliencies may enhance HIV prevention and intervention programs 

thereby providing the additional effectiveness needed to reverse the trends in HIV infection 

among MSM. - Mountbatten Room 


Trans Guys and Sex - No assumptions allowed! 

This session explores the connections between sexual health and well-being for trans men 

who have sex with men. In the first half of our session, Greta Bauer and Nik Redman will 

start by presenting new findings from Trans PULSE focusing on sexuality and sexual health 

among trans guys in Ontario who are gay, bisexual or MSM with an emphasis on HIVrelated 

risk, and psychosocial and resiliency factors that have the potential to impact 

health. We will then hear from a panel of trans men including: Ambrose Kirby who will 

speak about trans youth, looking at themes of sex work, choice and psychiatrization, and 

Zack Marshall who will highlight the links between transition, mental health, and wellness. 



1:30PM - 2:45PM 

Concurrent Sessions 

#1. Meeting the Sexual Health Needs of Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men: 

How are we doing and how can we improve? 

This session is for those providing or managing front-line services to share their perspectives 

on progress made in meeting the needs of trans men, ongoing barriers to trans inclusion, and 

strategies for improving our sector’s ability to serve trans men and their partners. Hosted by the 

Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men’s Working Group, this focus group will be an opportunity to share your 

successes and challenges, get ideas and inspiration from colleagues, and to help the Working 

Group identify gaps in information or resources that can be addressed .- Stevenson Room 

James Wilton 

CATIE 

Len Tooley 

CATIE 

#2. Understanding and Communicating Risk: Viral load and HIV transmission 

Emerging research is complicating the messaging we give around risk and requiring us to take 

a more nuanced approach. This workshop will explore the latest research on the biology of HIV 

transmission focusing on viral load and the risk of HIV transmission when the blood viral load 

is undetectable. The workshop will also take a closer look at how these research studies are 

conducted and how risk is calculated. A presentation of the latest research will be followed by a 

discussion around the key messages we can provide to clients around risk -Rossetti Room.



Heather Bain 

Jen Durst 

Kim Chee Lee 

519 Church Street 

Community Centre 

#3. Opening the Closet on Aging 

This interactive workshop will broadly cover issues related to aging in LGBT communities. We will start 

with an overview of common concerns raised by people who are LGBT 50+, followed by key learnings 

from the Opening the Closet on Aging Conference which was held November 2011 in downtown Toronto. 

We will specifically spend time highlighting key areas of importance to older gay, bisexual and trans men. 

In keeping with this theme, Kim Chee Lee will present his documentary ‘A Surprise Love Adventure’, 

which chronicles a friendship between himself and a younger man he met on a trip to Niagara Falls. 

We will wrap up the session with an interactive component that focuses on issues raised by those in 

attendance and key questions they have in working with older LGBT individuals. The workshop will be 

dependent on participant interaction so come prepared with questions! -Scott Room 

#4. Research Briefs 

Join us “under the briefs” as we explore the findings and implications of some of the leading (communitybased) 

research projects in Ontario that investigate the health and wellbeing of our queer, gay, bisexual 

and other MSM. You can expect to hear more from a panel of investigators as they present: The 

HiMMM Project, Mano e Mano, Gay Poz Sex, Ottawa Public Health HIV criminalization study and Male 

Call Canada. Come support the effort to push our research agenda forward. 

Daniel Pugh 

GMSH 

Todd Coleman 

University of Western 

Ontario 

Gerardo Betancourt 

Centre for Spanish 

Speaking Persons 

Patrick O’Byrne 

University of Ottawa 

Christiane Bouchard 

Ottawa Public Health 



Scott Simpson 

Dan Allman 

Male Call Canada 

#1. Health in Middlesex Men Matters (HiMMM) Project: This session will start with a brief review of 

recent research on body image and its effects on the health and wellbeing of gay and bisexual men. In 

particular, we will review: the influence of media (i.e., print media and pornography); intersection of 

racism and homophobia on body image; drive for muscularity among GBM; body dissatisfaction and 

disordered eating; components of body image among HIV seropositive GBM; and finally how body 

image may be an issue in the context of syndemic theory that contextualizes research on body image in 

GBM.- Stevenson Room 

#2. Mano e Mano Community Evaluation (3 years) of Latino MSM and gay men intervention in 

Toronto; lessons learned for the future:The Centre for the Spanish-Speaking Peoples has conducted 

for the past three years an intervention called: Mano en Mano. The presentation will be in relation to 

the results, emerging themes, evaluation, practices and distinct characteristics that this intervention 

has shown in terms of evidence-based, possibilities for extension and adaptation to other communities 

and locations. At the same time, new technologies has been incorporated, such as the use of pod-cast 

radio, increasing the possibilities of outreach and access in hard to reach communities. This project 

has been evaluated in partnership with Doctor Barry Adam from Windsor University. -Rossetti Room 

#3. Over the past decade, the intersection of HIV and criminal law has become increasingly discussed and 

examined by researchers, policy makers and academics. The majority of these investigations and analyses 

have approached the topic of criminalizing HIV serological status nondisclosure from sociological and 

legal perspectives, as a result, the potential effect of this trend on population health and HIV prevention 

work remains mostly unknown. Consequently, the objectives of this multi-method study were to compare 

the number of HIV tests/diagnoses before and after a local media release about nondisclosure criminal 

charges explore the attitudes and beliefs of local men—all who self-identified as gay, bisexual, or men who 

have sex with men—about HIV, HIV prevention, serological status disclosure, criminalizing nondisclosure, 

and public health practices in this domain. Findings of this mixed quantitative-qualitative study suggest 

that neither media releases about nondisclosure criminal charges nor criminalizing nondisclosure 

align with and/or enhance the population health goal of decreased HIV transmission.-Scott Room 

#4. The Gay Poz Sex (GPS) research project is a peer facilitated sexual health program for gay men who are 

HIV-positive. The program reviews current STI transmission information regarding health risks, disclosure 

and legal issues. As well, peer facilitators use Motivational Interviewing skills to guide participants through 

the development and identification of sexual health behaviour goals, strategies and potential supports. 

Peer facilitators also use role playing to increase the participants’ self-efficacy in disclosure skills and 

negotiating risk.- Wren Room 

#5. Male Call Canada is a bilingual, nation-wide, toll-free telephone survey of gay, bisexual and other 

men who have sex with men. The study is modeled on successful research projects in other areas of 

the Commonwealth, including Australia (Kippax et al), New Zealand (Worth et al), the United Kingdom 

(Weatherburn et al), and the Ontario-wide Bisex Survey (Myers et al). Male Call Canada is supported by 

a team of Investigators and a community-based National Advisory Group with expertise in the evolving 

challenges of providing effective HIV prevention in urban, remote and rural settings across Canada. Male 

Call Canada is unique among research studies of men in Ontario and Canada in that the study’s focus is 

largely on the attitudes of men as they relate to HIV, STIs, health and wellbeing. This research brief will focus 

on the recently-completed data collection phase of the project, with an emphasis on the unprecedented 

contributions provided by the endorsement of star athlete David Testo.



2:45PM - 3:00PM 

3:00PM - 3:45PM 

Olivier Ferlatte 

Community Based 

Research Centre, BC 

3:45PM - 4:30PM 

David J. Brennan, 

MSW, Ph.D. 

University of Toronto 

Nutritional Break - Mountbatten Lane 

The Sex Now Survey 

Sex Now Survey is a community-based project of the Community-based Research Centre 

(CBRC) that has been investigating the health of gay men in British Columbia since 2002. 

In 2010, the survey was launched nationally and nearly 8000 participants from coast-tocoast 

completed the survey which focused on “Sex in your mind” – an exploration of the 

connections between mental and sexual health. The survey results showed that the life of 

gay men is tainted by multiple forms of marginalization and oppression, which are in turn 

related to an array of psycho-social and sexual difficulties. An overview of these results will 

be presented as well as data specific to participants from Ontario. - Mountbatten Room 

That Body Has No Pores! Queer Men and Body Image. 

This session will start with a brief review of recent research on body image and its effects on 

the health and wellbeing of gay and bisexual men. In particular, we will review: the influence 

of media (i.e., print media and pornography); intersection of racism and homophobia on 

body image; drive for muscularity among GBM; body dissatisfaction and disordered eating; 

components of body image among HIV seropositive GBM; and finally how body image may 

be an issue in the context of syndemic theory that contextualizes research on body image in 

GBM. - Mountbatten Room 


7:30AM - 9:00AM 

9:00AM - 10:00AM 

David S. Novak, MSW 

Manhunt 

Dr. Joshua G. 

Rosenberger 

Indiana University-Purdue 

University Indianapolis 

10:00AM - 10:45AM 

Jody Jollimore 

Health Initiative for Men 


Forming an ‘Assets-Based’ Academic/Corporate Partnership: 

Development to Dissemination of the US Men’s National Sex Study 

Recent nationally representative studies documenting event-level sexual behavior have 

included samples that are predominantly heterosexual, resulting in limited information on 

the repertoire of gay and bisexually identified men and other men who have sex with men 

(MSM). In an effort to examine these men’s sexual behaviors beyond the context of HIV risk, 

US researchers and the OLB Research Institute at Online Buddies, Inc. (Manhunt) formed 

an academic/corporate partnership to invite Manhunt members to share their experiences 

related to their most recent sexual event with a male partner through participation in the 

US Men’s National Sex Study. Initial findings, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 

highlighted sexual diversity among gay men, suggesting the need for a broader, less diseasefocused 

approach by public health and medical practitioners working with this population. 

During this presentation lead author Dr. Joshua G. Rosenberger, from George Mason 

University and David S. Novak, MSW, from Manhunt will demonstrate how academiccommunity-corporate 

partnerships offer new and innovative mechanisms for improving 

the sexual health of gay, bisexual and other MSM. Specifically, they will review academic/ 

corporate based participatory research principles, key findings from the study, and 

their collaboratively designed online community report which disseminated findings 

to both Manhunt members and the community at-large. - Mountbatten Room 

Hottest at the Start 

As the Health Initiative for Men (HIM) has developed as an organization, so has its ability to 

communicate with and engage gay men. The Hottest at the Start campaign is an example of 

HIM’s mission to promote health, engage the community and build beneficial relationships 

between gay men and in this case, researchers and healthcare providers. Using previous 

campaign evaluations and local epidemiological data, Hottest at the Start was tailored and 

targeted to a specific demographic: young gay men who have condomless sex with partners 

whose HIV status are different or unknown. The campaign delivered information about the 

complex issue of Acute HIV infection in an accessible way to those most at risk. Hottest,



which included three print executions, a webpage and steamy public service announcement 

was widely promoted in Vancouver’s gay community where the ‘Early Test’ or the NAAT/ 

RNA test is available as part of the CIHR funded Study of Acute HIV Infection in Gay Men. 

In this presentation, Jody Jollimore, Program Manager at the Health Initiative for Men will 

share his experiences overseeing the development of HIM’s most discussed campaigns, 

including What Are You Waiting For?, Do the Math (Calculate your Risk) and Hottest at the 

Start. The presentation will consist of methods, findings from evaluations and an opportunity 

to share best practices for engaging gay men through social marketing. - Mountbatten Room 

10:45AM - 11:00AM 

11:00AM - 11:45AM 

Todd Klinck 

Goodhandy’s 

Daniel Pugh 


11:45AM - 12:45AM 


Sex for Sale: Secrets from the Front Lines (Interview/ Q&A) 

An interview with Todd Klinck; a behind-the-scenes dialogue about life in the sex industry, 

lessons learned and the empowerment of one man’s professional and sexual life! 


Networking Lunch - Mountbatten Room 

1:30PM - 2:15PM 

Darren Ho 

City of Colour 

Daniel McGraw 

Rui Pires 


Youth Leadership - Totally OUTright and Our City of Colours 

Totally Outright is a leadership program, developed in Vancouver, for young gay men interested 

in being healthy, sex-savvy trendsetters. Over two weekends, twenty young gay men 

participate in interactive thought provoking presentations on a wide range of topics delivered 

by local community leaders and experts in gay men’s health. Totally Outright is designed 

to nurture the confidence and leadership of participants, empowering them to engage with 

one another and the community. From this program evolved Our City of Colours; a community-based 

project that aims to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 

and queer people in a variety of linguistic and cultural communities in the Metro-Vancouver 

area. Daniel McGraw will present on the program’s inception, delivery, and progression in 

Vancouver, Darren Ho will present on Our City of Colours, and Rui Pires will discuss the adaptation 

of Totally Outright to be delivered in Toronto.- Mountbatten Room 

2:15PM - 3:15PM 

Dr. Simon Rosser, 

University of Minnesota 

3:15PM - 3:30PM 

3:30PM - 3:45PM 

3:45PM-4:30PM 

David Hoe 

Ontario HIV Treatment 

Network 

How Internet-based HIV Prevention is Transforming Sex, Risk and 

Prevention for Men Who Have Sex With Men 

We live in a time when technology has made it possible for us to connect with each other 

and reduce isolation as gay men and as a network responding to gay men’s sexual health. 

We need to begin a conversation about our online lives and better understand our relationship 

to cruising, pornography, hooking up and communication with one another from a systems, 

health promotion and intervention perspective. Simon Rosser will present research 

on the impact of new technologies and share his perspectives on conducting sexual health 

work and engaging gay men through these platforms.- Mountbatten Room 


Project Remember - Mountbatten Lane 

Closing 

Closings are as important as openings. David will facilitate the final session and closing for 

all summit participants. Expect to connect, distill and create intentions. Mountbatten Room

Keynote Speaker 



Alan Downs, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Beverly Hills, 

California and the former CEO of Michael’s House Treatment Center, a residential 

treatment center for addictions in Palm Springs, California. His twenty 

years of working in mental health and substance abuse are reflected in his 

eight books in both leadership and psychology. His current book, The Velvet 

Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World, Da 

Capo Press, 2005 has been the #1 nationally bestselling gay and lesbian selfhelp 

book for the past 6 years. His work has been published in over 7 languages. 

Dr. Downs is an accomplished speaker with many media credits, including: The Oprah 

Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, The Today Show, NBC 

Nightly News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The San 

Francisco Chronicle, Morning Edition (National Public Radio), to name just a few. 

Dr. Downs holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Nebraska, 1989. After completing 

post-doctoral training in dialectical behavior therapy in 2000, he has specialized 

in treating individuals who are highly suicidal, suffer from emotion regulation difficulties, 

severe trauma and/or borderline personality traits. In his current practice, he conducts 

numerous DBT skills groups each week and as well as individual psychotherapy. 

His current book, The Velvet Rage, has become a worldwide resource on the psychology 

of gay men and shame. Based on the fundamental principles of emotion regulation 

put forth in DBT, the book provides practical insight and behavioral support to gay men. 

“The Velvet Rage is becoming a touchstone in gay culture just as Goodbye to Berlin was 

in the 30s, A Boy’s Own Story in the 60s and Faggots in the 70s.”—London Observer (UK) 

Over the past five years, Dr. Downs has become known as a nationally recognized 

expert on shame-based trauma. Shame-based trauma is often the result of longterm 

exposure to a persistently invalidating environment. Both his psychotherapy 

practice and workshops are designed to help people from all walks of life overcome 

the detrimental and corrosive influence of shame on their lives.

Biography 

Alan Li 

Regent Park Community Health Centre 

Alan Li is a primary care physician at Regent Park Community Health Centre 

that service many diverse and marginalized communities including immigrants 

and refugees, homeless populations, people without OHIP, and people living 

in poverty and people with HIV/AIDS. Alan is the founding co-chair of the 

“Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment” (CAAT), a coalition group of many 

health and community service providers working to eliminate treatment access 

barriers for people with HIV/AIDS with precarious migration status in Canada. 

Throughout his over 30 years of activism, Alan has led many social justice and 

community empowerment initiatives including being the national president of the 

Chinese Canadian National Council, co-founded Asian Community AIDS Services, 

the Ethno-racial Treatment Support Network, and helped established many training 

programs including the Legacy mentorship project for people living with HIV/AIDS. 

Since 2001 Alan has led a number of community based action research studies 

on issues affecting immigrant, refugee and non-status PHA and culturally diverse 

communities in Canada. Currently Alan is an OHTN (Ontario HIV Treatment Network) 

Community Scholar Award recipient and the lead investigator in the CIHR funded 

Research study: Community HIV Champion Advocate Mobilization Project (CHAMP). 

Ambrose Kirby 

AMBROSE KIRBY is a community activist, educator and psychotherapist.He is a 

Program Coordinator with Supporting Our Youth (SOY) at Sherbourne Health 

Centre, where he co-facilitates Trans Fusion Crew (TFC) and the Living Trans Pride 

project, weekly arts-based drop-in groups for trans, gender-queer and questioning 

youth aged 16-29.Ambrose has worked as a grassroots and non-profit community 

organizer for the past 15 years and as a group facilitator and anti-oppression 

trainer for over 8 years.His facilitation practice aims to nurture the development 

of shamelessness and group cohesion through a radical attention to the everyday 

effects of sociopolitical power structures on interpersonal relationships. 

Amy Herrick 

University of Pittsburgh 

Amy Herrick has worked with the LGBT youth population for nearly 20 years 

beginning as an outreach worker and peer advocate. Dr. Herrick has also worked 

clinically with HIV+ and at risk LGBT youth at Howard Brown Health Center - the 

Midwest’s largest community based health center with a mission to serve the LGBT 

population. As a result of her experiences working with this community, and being a 

constant witness to their strength and courage, Dr. Herrick had focused her research 

on understanding the process by which marginalized individuals, specifically young 

MSM, develop and employ resiliencies. Dr. Herrick is currently a post-doctoral fellow 

in the department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University of 

Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health. Her other research interests focus on 

the health disparities among sexual minority youth.

Biography 

Bernice Chau 

Youthline 

Bernice Chau is a community youth worker with a penchant for sharing 

stories. She works with LGBTTIQ2S youth to move beyond that which is 

included and tolerated to we who thrive and take up space. Currently, she 

is the Outreach Coordinator at Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line, helping to 

create an empowering community of LGBTTIQ2S youth across Ontario. 

Christiane Bouchard 

Ottawa Public Health 

Christiane Bouchard is a project officer for the Healthy Sexuality 

and Risk Reduction Program at Ottawa Public Health.She has a 

University degree in Social Work and has over 25 years of experience 

in community development and project management. For the past 

9 years she has been working on gay men’s sexual health issues and 

has been actively involved in the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance. 

Daniel McGraw 


Daniel McGraw has been passionate about gay men’s health since participating 

in Totally Outright 2009. Beginning as a volunteer he now coordinates outreach, 

condom distribution and Totally Outright for Health Initiative for Men. Daniel 

is wrapping up his BA at UBC and looks forward to a life without term papers. 

Daniel Pugh 


Daniel completed his BA and his BSW from the University of Waterloo. 

Daniel now works as the Knowledge-Transfer-Exchange Coordinator for the 

Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH), and is a fellow with Universities 

Without Walls. Prior to this, Daniel acted as the Director of Education (2009- 

2011) for the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection in London, ON after serving for 

four years on the frontlines of gay men’s HIV prevention. In early 2009 Daniel 

formed the London HBT Working Group with 20-30 community partners 

as a community based coalition for addressing homophobia, biphobia and 

transphobia in London, ON. Daniel has been a member of several different 

working groups through the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long

Biography 

Term Care—the AIDS Bureau. In 2008, Daniel joined forces with University of 

Western Ontario as a Co-Principal Investigator for a research project entitled: 

HIMMM (Health in Middlesex Men Matters). Daniel is also an investigator for 

the BLACCH (Black African and Caribbean Canadian Health) research project 

in London.Daniel is a former member and Chair on the Board of Directors for 

ACCKWA (AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo & area). 

Darren Ho 

Our City of Colour 

Darren Ho, from Vancouver, is a Linguistics undergrad student at Simon Fraser 

University, and has a background in teaching English as a second language. 

He is a graduate of the Totally Outright program and is currently working with 

the Community Based Research Centre onthe Sex Now Survey as part of the 

Young Gay Investigators Team. He is the Lead of the community based project 

called Our City of Colours. 

David Hoe 

Ontario HIV Treatment Network 

David Hoe creates personal and system transformations as a life coach 

and facilitator. He was the first Executive Director of AIDS Committee of 

Ottawa, a Senior Policy Advisor on HIV/AIDS with the Government of Canada, 

a Co-Chair of the Ontario Minister of Health’s Advisory Committee on HIV/ 

AIDS, the Chairperson for the development of Ontario’s Strategy on HIV/ 

AIDS to 2008, and is the current President of the Board of Directors of The 

Ontario HIV Treatment Network. David received The Queen’s Golden Jubilee 

medal for his work in HIV, the 2005 Red Ribbon Award from the Canadian 

Association for HIV Research and is an inductee to The Honour Roll of 

The Ontario AIDS Network. David has also being living with HIV for over 

25 years and continues to advocate for life with HIV to be without fear.

Biography 

David J. Brennan, MSW, Ph.D. 


David J. Brennan, MSW, Ph.D. Dr. Brennan has been a clinical social worker 

in the HIV/AIDS and health care field since 1983. As an OHTN Treatment 

Network Scholar, his research focuses on the health and well-being of gay, 

bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly those who are 

marginalized by age, race, HIV status and socioeconomic status. He has examined 

body image and eating attitudes and behaviors among queer men, 

particularly examining these issues for racialized queer men in Toronto. He 

has examined the psychosocial needs of older adults living with HIV.He has 

examined the impact of several factors on HIV risk for gay and bisexual men 

including the role of a history of childhood sexual abuse, optimistic beliefs 

about HIV treatment and the role of intimacy and pleasure in sexual risk behavior. 

He is currently involved in work to examine how we measure sexual 

orientation in population based health studies (Co-PI; Greta Bauer, PI) as 

well as the resiliencies, strengths assets that gay and bisexual men have 

that prevent them for becoming infected with HIV (Co-I; Trevor Hart, PI). 

David Lewis-Peart 

Black CAP 

Trained in Human Services Counselling with a specialization in Mental Health, 

David has worked in front line anti-violence education, mental health and 

addictions work, youth services and most recently HIV/AIDS prevention 

programming for nearly a decade. David is a trained Life Skills Coach and 

Facilitator as well as a Consulting Hypnotist with the National Guild of 

Hypnotists.Presently, David is employed as the MSM Prevention and Research 

Coordinator for the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, where he has 

been responsible for the development and evaluation of health promotion 

programming for gay and bisexual young men. 

David S. Novak, MSW 

Manhunt 

David S. Novak, is the Managing Director of the OLB Research Institute and 

Senior Health Strategist at Online Buddies, Inc. (OLB). Since 2001, OLB has 

been connecting men seeking new friends, dates and long-term relationships. 

OLB’s flagship product, Manhunt, is a category leader and consistently ranks 

among the top websites in the Hitwise Top Ten Report, which tracks market 

leaders and recognizes websites from over 160 industries worldwide.

Biography 

Manhunt Cares, our industry leading health brand, has also been recognized 

internationally for providing practical health information and HIV/ 

STI resources to our members. The OLB Research Institute coordinates 

access to over 4 million site members for a variety of university, biotech, 

pharmaceutical, and government research across the globe. 

Mr. Novak oversees health and research related activities across OLB’s 

family of brands, coordinating health promotion campaigns by communitybased 

organizations/NGOs, internet partner notification performed by 

public health departments, and product, market and scientific research 

by a variety of research entities. Mr. Novak acts as an industry consultant 

to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is an expert 

scientific advisor to the EU Programme of Community Action in the 

Field of Health Everywhere Project, a consultant to the European MSM 

Internet Survey and an adviser to the Elton John AIDS Foundation Internet 

partner notification program workgroup. Prior to joining OLB, Mr. Novak 

worked at the CDC as the National Syphilis Elimination Coordinator. 

Devan Nambiar 

Rainbow Health Ontario 

Devan Nambiar is the Education and Training Coordinator at Rainbow 

Health Ontario, Sherbourne Health Centre. Devan coordinates all of 

RHO’s training and education initiatives and delivers most of RHO’s 

core training.He has been working in the gay/ethno-racial MSM/HIV 

sector for 20 years.Devan was the recipient of the Canadian AIDS Society 

Leadership Award (2006) and honour roll award at the OAN(2002). 

In his previous position, he was the Treatment Educator/ Counsellor at 

the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange.Devan co-authored, A 

Practical Guide to Complementary Medicine and A Practical Guide to Herbal 

Therapies for PHAS (CATIE, 2004), contributing author, Managing Your Health 

(CATIE, 2009), and contributing editor to the Practical Guide to Nutrition 

for PHAS (CATIE 2007). Devan writes for the e-zine, www.positivelite.com 

and the blog at, www.asaap.ca.In his professional capacity, he lectures on 

complementary medicine, provides input on community based research 

and has served on numerous boards and ethics review committees. 

He is currently completing his studies in MSc. Integrated Healthcare.

Biography 

Dr. Dan Allman 


Dr. Dan Allman, PhD (Edinburgh) is a Senior Scientist at the HIV Social, 

Behavioural and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Dalla Lana School of Public 

Health, University of Toronto and member of the CIHR Centre in HIV 

Prevention Social Research (SRC). His work frequently focuses on the 

social production of wellbeing, particularly for those considered marginal, 

vulnerable or peripheral to society’s core. Dr. Allman has extensive 

experience with both investigator-led and community-based research among 

gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Canada. Examples 

include the Winnipeg Men’s Survey (1996), the Ontario Bisex Survey (1997), 

the Ontario Men’s Survey (2002), M-Track (2007) and Male Call Canada 

(2012). In addition to his work in Canada, Dr. Allman is presently involved 

in research and development projects in Nigeria, Namibia and Thailand. 

Dr. Joshua G. Rosenberger 

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 

Dr. Joshua G. Rosenberger is an Assistant Professor of Global and Community 

Health and teaches health promotion and health behavior theory. His 

research focuses on the utilization of technologies as a methodological tool 

for the promotion of sexual health among men, specifically focusing on 

subpopulations that have been traditionally marginalized as a result of age, 

sexual orientation, and/or race. Dr. Rosenberger is an author of numerous 

publications related to MSM sexual health and currently is a formal research 

consultant for Online Buddies Inc., owners and operators of national and 

international MSM websites. 



Dr. Trevor Hart is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at 

Ryerson University and Director of the HIV Prevention Lab.Dr. Hart received his 

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University, and completed a post-doctoral 

fellowship in HIV/AIDS Clinical Research at Emory University School of Medicine 

and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dr. Hart’s research inHIV 

Prevention, Sexual Health Promotion, and HIV Care spans a wide variety of fields, 

including health psychology, clinical psychology, community psychology, and public 

health. Dr. Hart’s research is conducted at the HIV Prevention Lab and collaborating

Biography 

labs, HIV clinics, and AIDS service organizations. Research conducted by Dr. Hart 

and his graduate students at the HIV Prevention Lab involves three related lines of 

scientific study: 

1. the identification of risk factors for unprotected intercourse among adolescent 

and adult populations at high risk for HIV contraction or transmission, including 

gay and bisexual men 

2. examining the relation between physical health and psychological outcomes 

among people living with HIV 

3. testing of behavioural interventions for people at high risk for HIV and people 

living with HIV that promote sexual health and life expectancy and reduce HIV and 

other sexual risk outcomes 

Dr. Hart is a recipient of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Career Scientist Salary 

Award and holds 3 grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in gay and 

bisexual men’s risks and resilience, sexual health promotion and HIV prevention. 

Duncan MacLachlan 


Duncan MacLachlan, PHA for 28 years, brings more than two decades of 

community development experience in the areas of health promotion, 

sexuality, mental health, harm reduction and prevention.Duncan is the 

Manager of Community Health Programs for the AIDS Committee of Toronto 

(ACT). In this capacity, he manages ACT’s gay men’s education, outreach and 

harm reduction team, as well as Positive Youth Outreach and the Toronto 

arm of the provincial Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative. Duncan is a graduate of 

the Addictions and Mental Health Program at the Department of Psychology, 

Ryerson University, and a recipient of 2010-11 CIHR-University Without Walls 

Fellowship Award. His current studies and research focus include resilience 

and HIV and Aging. 

Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco PhD 

Ontario HIV Treatment Network 

Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco PhD, a lifelong educator, AIDS activist living with HIV 

for 26 years, and writer. He has a passion for building alternative education 

programs and is the driving force behind Universities Without Walls (CIHR 

funded 2009-2014) a training program for emerging social science, health 

promotion, and humanities HIV researchers in Canada housed at the Ontario HIV 

Treatment Network and Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Physical Therapy, 

University of Toronto. Francisco works collaboratively with faculty, students 

and communities to design learning environments that connect and inspire. His 

current research focuses on HIV and rehabilitation, aging and mental health. His 

latest essay “Rehab for the Unrepentant” appears in “Why are Faggots so Afraid 

of Faggots?: Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification, and the Desire to 

Conform” (AK Press 2012).

Biography 

Garfield Durrant 

Black CAP 

Garfield Durrant is an employee of the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention 

(Black CAP) as the MSM Prevention & Youth Outreach Coordinator. He 

also serves as Coordinator for the Black Family and Friends (BFF) chapter 

of PFLAG Canada an LGBTQ support program and the accompanying 

print and online social marketing campaign, ‘Love, Acceptance, Support’. 

Garfield is the Project Coordinator for the adaptation of the CDC’s Many 

Men, Many Voices (3MV) intervention. His recent achievement is acquiring 

the role as Coordinator for Socialite 411, a drop-in peer support group for 

GBTQ youth hosted by Black CAP. He has been an advocate and strategist on 

human rights and social justice issues since he was a teenager, and went 

on to work as an Information Officer for the Jamaica Observer Limited. 

Garfield also worked in Targeted Interventions for MSM through the Jamaica 

AIDS Support (JAS) and Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals & Gays (J-FLAG). 

Garfield speaks English and Jamaican Kreyol. He has represented Black CAP in a 

number of regional fora, including the 7th Annual Gay Men’s Sexual Health Summit, 

CATIE Rapporteur Project - 2011 BC Gay Men’s Health Summit. He has interests 

in HIV and sexual behaviour among Afro-Americans as well as in the Caribbean. 

Gerardo Betancourt 

Centre for Spanish Speaking Persons 

Gerardo Betancourt was born in Mexico, were he worked as a high school teacher 

for five years. Graduated in Law and Education in Mexico. In 2000 he immigrated 

to Canada where he started his process of assimilation and integration. In 2006 

he started working as a Men’s Outreach Worker at the HIV Prevention Program 

at the Centre for Spanish-Speaking Peoples (CSSP). In 2007 he was admitted to 

the Masters Adult Education and Community Development program at OISE, 

University of Toronto, which he finished in December 2009. He has participated 

for two years in the Summer OHTN University Without Walls provided by 

OHTN.He had presented posters and oral presentations in conferences both: 

domestic and international. In 2008, he presented the first national Latino HIV/ 

Hep C campaign in Canada “Guys Like You” www.guyslikeyou.ca, and he has 

also been participating in a community based research (CBR) project with Barry 

Adam, as a Co-principal investigator in “Mano en Mano” manoenmano.ca .Heis 

currently working in the analysis and dissemination of the CBR for the study of 

the Latino and Portuguese Vulnerabilities “Cuentame” with Barry Adam as well. 

At the present he works as an AIDS Community Educator at the HIV Prevention 

program at the CSSP.Gerardo has been involved in more than ten community 

based research projects, funded by different funding bodies: CIHR and OHTN. 

Gerardo is coursing his first year of PhD program at Faculty of Social Work at the 

University of Toronto. Gerardo’s research and community interests are related 

to: HIV studies, masculinities, body mapping and qualitative narratives, ethnoracial 

communities and behaviour and group interventions, among others.

Biography 

Greta Bauer 

Western University 

Dr. Bauer is an Associate Professor in Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western 

University. Her primary research interests are in viral sexually transmitted 

infections and the broader health of sexual and gender minority communities. 

Her research projects include the Trans PULSE Project and HiMMM: Health 

in Middlesex Men Matters. Coming from an interdisciplinary background, 

Greta’s work has spanned the biological, behavioural and social, with a strong 

emphasis on quantitative research methods. 

Heather Bain 

The 519 Community Centre 

Heather is the Older LGBT Coordinator at The 519 Community Centre. In her 

role she chairs the Senior Pride Network (SPN) and is responsible for moving 

forward an agenda that prioritizes safe space for aging LGBT communities in 

social service settings. As chair of SPN, Heather coordinated the Opening the 

Closet on Aging Conference in Fall 2011. In the fall of 2011 she also graduated 

from Ryerson University with her Masters of Social Work, which included a 

focus on older women who are attracted to women. 

James Wilton 

CATIE 

James is the coordinator of the Biomedical Science of HIV Prevention Project 

at the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) where his 

work focuses on the biology of HIV transmission and new HIV prevention 

technologies. He has experience working in HIV/AIDS prevention and 

treatment in Kenya where he is also a registered HIV counselor and tester. 

Before working in HIV/AIDS prevention he completed an undergraduate 

degree in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia 

(UBC) and spent several years as a basic science researcher at the British 

Columbia Cancer Research Center. James also has experience working in 

international development in Rwanda and Ecuador.

Biography 

Jen Durst 

519 Church Street Community Centre 

Jennifer Durst is currently working towards completion of her BSW 

degree from York University. She is doing her placement with the 

Older LGBT Program at the 519 Church Street Community Centre. Jen 

places a heavy emphasis on community, activism, and creativity in 

her personal life and is enjoying combining her passion and education 

as a social worker. She is looking forward to continuing this journey. 

Jody Jollimore 


Jody Jollimore has been working in sexual health for more than ten years, 

specifically gay men’s health for the past six. As the Senior Program Manager 

at Health Initiative for Men, Jody oversees the organization’s knowledge 

exchange and harm reduction programs. He holds a Masters of Public Policy 

from Simon Fraser University. Jody currently lives in Vancouver’s beautiful 

West End. 

Kim Chee Lee 

519 Church Street Community Centre 

Kim Chee is a gay 80 year old man. He is passionate about fighting for gay 

seniors in the health care system and nursing homes. He is also a very active 

volunteer for the Older LGBT Program at The 519 Community Centre. 

Len Tooley 

CATIE 

Len Tooley is the Coordinator of the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Project at CATIE, 

which aims to facilitate capacity building and knowledge exchange among 

service providers across Canada who work with gay, bi, queer, and 2-spirit 

cis and trans men. He is also an HIV and sexual health counsellor at Hassle 

Free Clinic in Toronto, and is completing a Masters of Public Health in Health 

Promotion at the University of Toronto. Professionally and academically, Len 

strives to draw connections between broad social and structural drivers of 

health and the way these drivers affect people’s day-to-day lived experiences.

Biography 

Mike Cecilio 

AIDS Committee of Ottawa 

Mike is the MSM Ethno-Cultural Resource Coordinator at the AIDS Committee 

of Ottawa (ACO). Working within the ACO’s Education & Prevention team, 

he coordinates programs and resources in order to improve access to 

sexual health services and information for MSM of diverse ethno-cultural 

backgrounds. Originally from Sydney Australia, Mike completed his degree 

in media & communication (Macquarie University, 2002) and a Masters in 

international studies (University of Sydney, 2005), and possesses 10 years of 

experience in the areas of marketing, fundraising, government relations and 

project management within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. 

Nik Redman 

Trans Pulse 

Nik Redman is an artist, activist and community worker who was born in 

Montreal, Canada. He is member of the GBQ Trans Mens’ Working Group, 

part ofGay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance; the MaBwana Community Advisory 

Committee, the Prisoners Justice Action Committee(PJAC) and the Trans Fathers 

2B Parenting Course Project Team.Nik is also one of the Co-investigators of 

The Trans PULSE, a community-based research (CBR) project within Ontario’s 

Trans Community.Nik was one of the online facilitators for the provincewide 

HIV/AIDS-themed Stigma campaign. Nik currently works as a Grievance 

Officer with University of Toronto’s Local 1998 United Steelworkers Union. In 

addition, he works doing Anti-Harassment and Human Rights Training for the 

Union. Nik volunteers with the LGBT Youth Line, Community One and is part of 

the programming committee and the Board of the Inside Out Film and Video 

Festival. He also serves on the Board of Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention 

(Black CAP). As a member of blackness Yes! He has been instrumental in 

programming the Blockorama stage at Pride Toronto. Nik is also an awardwinning 

DJ, writer and radio programmer. He can be heard every Thursday 5-7 

p.m. on http://radioregent.com/ in Toronto. 

Olivier Ferlatte 

Community Based Research Centre, BC 

Olivier Ferlatte moved to Vancouver in 2004 with a degree in Sexology from the 

Université du Québec a Montréal.Ever since, he has been an active member 

of the gay men’s movement in British Columbia where he has held various 

positions in gay men’s health in both, community agencies and governmental 

agencies. He is currently a Doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Health Sciences 

at Simon Fraser University where he teaches sexuality and recently taught British 

Columbia’s first credit course in gay men’s health. Olivier is Research Education 

Director at the Community-based Research Centre and he currently holds a 

CIHR trainee fellowship at the Institute for Intersectionality Research and Policy.

Biography 

Patrick O’Byrne 

University of Ottawa 

Patrick O’Byrne, RN, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of 

Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of Ottawa. His 

field of research and clinical practice is public health, particularly in 

relation to sexually transmitted infections and HIV. As part of this, Dr. 

O’Byrne has been involved in various Canadian Institute of Health Research 

(CIHR) funded projects involving marginalized populations, such as, men 

who have sex with men (gay, bisexual, queer men), teens, swingers, and the 

homeless. Dr. O’Byrne has received a Governor General’s Academic Gold 

Medal for this work. Dr. O’Byrne is also the recipient of an Early Researcher 

Award from the Ministry of Research and Innovation (Government of Ontario). 

Richard Utama 

Asian Community AIDS Services 

Richard Utama has been involved in HIV/AIDS movement for over 10 years. 

A travel agent in his past life, he volunteered as an outreach worker with 

the Western Australian AIDS Council (WAAC) and was recognized with the 

volunteer of the year award in 1992. Since arriving in Toronto in 2006, he 

has continued his volunteer work at Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) 

prior joining the staff in 2009 as Men’s Sexual Health Coordinator in MSM 

Outreach and Education HIV/AIDS/STIs Prevention Program. Since then he 

has organized S.L.A.M! a Sexual Health forum for and by gay, bi, straight and 

trans Asian men in November 2009 and in May 2011. He also initiated a safer 

recreational substance use and alcohol support group for Asian men. He 

hopes to continue with his work in HIV/AIDS by integrating Harm Reduction 

principle and cultural appropriate programming for Asian men in Toronto and 

beyond. 

Rui Pires 


Rui Pires is currently the Gay Men’s Community Education Coordinator for 

the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).Rui’s 20 years of experience working 

in HIV programs in southern Ontario include: providing outreach to hard-toreach 

populations, including ethno-specific groups, providinggeneral public 

teaching programs, designing community capacity building strategies that 

develop resources and funding strategies,delivering in-house staff training to 

other educators, anddesigning social marketing campaigns. His most recent 

career experiences have included working on HIV and Hepatitis C common

Biography 

approaches, a six year term working with homeless people engaged in 

chaotic substance use, and two provincial strategies to create a bilingual 

best practices training resource for other educators, and a multilingual 

community based resource for gay and bisexual men regarding personal risk 

reduction strategies. He is currently working on implementing a sexual health 

leadership strategy for gay and bi male youth entitled Totally outRIGHT, 

which was initially pioneered in Vancouver. As the Gay Men’s Community 

Education Coordinator for ACT, Rui is also responsible for supporting a regular 

monthly series of workshops for gay and bi men along with regular seasonal 

community events at which ACT maintains a presence. 

Scott Simpson 

GPS 

Scott Simpson has moved from fundraising to frontlines in his response 

to HIV. Scott is founder of the Race for Dignity fundraising events that 

have raised over $1.6 million and contributed to more than 1,600 HIV+ 

people in Malawi accessing the same medications that keep him alive. 

As a facilitator for Gay Poz Sex, Scott helps HIV+ gay men clarify their 

sexual health goals so they have better sex lives! When avoiding studying 

for his psychology courses, Scott can be found training for triathlons. 

Dr. Simon Rosser 

University of Minnesota 

Dr. Simon Rosser is professor and director of the HIV/STI Intervention and 

Prevention Studies (HIPS) Program, in the Division of Epidemiology and 

Community Health, School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. 

He has advanced degrees in psychology, epidemiology, and behavioral 

medicine, with postdoctoral training in clinical/research sexology. Born and 

raised in New Zealand, he helped found the New Zealand AIDS Foundation 

(1983), then completed the first PhD in HIV prevention in the Southern 

Hemisphere at the Flinders University of South Australia. Simon emigrated 

to the University of Minnesota in 1990. He is an award winning author of 5 

books and numerous scientific articles, serves as a reviewer for NIH on the 

Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS, and is best known for his 

research in the areas of HIV prevention, male homosexuality, homophobia, 

sexual health, Internet sex, and structural level interventions. Currently he 

is principal investigator on three NIH-funded Internet-based HIV prevention 

studies and a state funded service grant to improve the sexual health and 

reduce HIV risk behavior among MSM.

Biography 

Siva Gunaratnam 


Siva Gunaratnam has been working as an outreach coordinator for the 

past 7 years starting out as a volunteer with the Alliance for South Asian 

AIDS Prevention. Siva has extensive experience in outreach, project and 

volunteer management which he gained from his different roles with the 

Griffin Center as a peer outreach worker, AIDS and Sexual Health Info Line 

as a telephone counsellor for the City of Toronto. Siva holds a diploma from 

George Brown College in Community Development and he is currently working 

at the AIDS Committee of Toronto as the Gay Men’s Outreach Coordinator. 


Sherbourne Health Centre 

Suhail Abualsameed, an immigrant to Canada from his native Jordan, is a community 

worker, public speaker, researcher, designer and human rights advocate. 

Suhail has works with immigrant and refugee queer youth as well as health 

related issues within the Muslim communities of the Greater Toronto Area. With a 

background in Architecture and an extensive travel history, Suhail carries loads of 

diverse experiences and knowledge which he makes good use of in many forums 

and spaces speaking at Universities,high schools, conferences and other public 

forums around the country and the internationally on issues of identity, human 

rights, immigration, youth and queer issues and the social determinants of health. 

Todd Coleman 

Western University 

Todd has a degree in Health Sciences and is currently working towards a PhD 

in Population Epidemiology at The University of Western Ontario. In addition 

to his work on the HiMMM Project, he has several years of management 

experience and on the coordination of day-to-day activities and the survey 

creation and launch on the Trans PULSE Project. He is also an active 

community volunteer, currently at the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection and a 

former committee member for London’s annual AIDS Walk for Life.

Biography 

Todd Klinck 

Goodhandy’s 

Todd Klinck, born in Windsor, is a Canadian writer, nightclub owner and former 

pornography producer. Todd Klinck has produced 160 adult DVDs (gay and 

transsexual themed), 42 as director.Klinck moved to Toronto at age 18 to study 

theatre at York University, but dropped out to focus on his career. In 1996, his novel 

Tacones (High Heels) was the winner of the Three-Day Novel Contest, and was 

published by Anvil Press to strong reviews in the Toronto Star and Quill and Quire. 

Klinck also collaborated with John Palmer and Jaie Laplante on the screenplay for 

the 2004 film Sugar, which garnered a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay 

at the 25th Genie Awards, and was a columnist for Fab until 2005. He wrote an 

online only column for Xtra! Magazine called “Sex Play” in 2009, and a column 

called “Porndoggy” in the same publication for most of 2010. His writing has been 

published in the National Post, Saturday Night magazine, and Bil Bo K (Belgium). 

Klinck and his business partner Mandy Goodhandy have launched several sex 

businesses in the Toronto area, including a transgender strip club, “The Lounge” 

and an adult DVD production company. In 2006 they opened a pansexual 

nightclub “Goodhandy’s” located in downtown Toronto. Klinck has also worked 

as a professional BDSM dominant, and has appeared on the television series 

KinK.With Goodhandy, Klinck was chosen to be the Grand Marshall of the Pride 

Toronto 2010 parade. 

Zack Marshall 

Memorial University of Newfoundland 

Zack Marshall is a community-based researcher, social worker, and Fellow 

with University Without Walls. Currently a doctoral student in Social Work 

at Memorial University of Newfoundland, his work is focused on sexual 

health and marginalized communities with an emphasis on HIV, ethics, and 

inclusion. Zack worked with the Trans Shelter Access Project at The 519 for 

five years and has been a member of the Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men’s Working 

Group since 2006. He was actively involved in producing Primed, Getting 

Primed: Informing HIV Prevention with Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men in Ontario 

and a case study to be published in the upcoming, Global Case Study Project: 

Rights-Based Approaches to Health and Health Care for Transgender People. 

He will bring this experience to our conversation about trans men’s sexual 

and mental health.

Summit Program - GMSH | Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance

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