We need your experience and knowledge! The WA AIDS Council (WAAC) wants to gain a better understanding and insight into gay men who enjoy group sex activities. So, WAAC is introducing a new, free forum that will run monthly, starting from March 23. This forum is specifically for the guys who are interested in ‘things less vanilla’ and who wish to discuss issues, challenges and possibilities in an open, frank and social environment.

The forum was devised as a response to the PASH and the Sero-conversion surveys conducted last year as part of the social research into same sex attracted men’s behaviours by the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR).

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Contrary to general belief, the researchers found that guys into ‘adventurous sex’ are very literate and knowledgeable around sexual health and strategies to avoid transmission and acquisition of HIV/STIs.

Colin Batrouney in his research brief, Gay Men and Sexual Adventurism: Where to from Here (number 15, 2009) described gay guys into adventurous sex as, ‘Far from being a bunch of “sex-obsessed, irresponsible freaks” whose shadowy culture is cloaked in shame, guile and self-hatred, what we call “sexual adventurism” is regularly engaged in by gay men of every stripe who are generally in control, and operating with a sense of sexual ethics.’

Colin goes on to say, ‘Many of the men who engage in sexually adventurous scenes may be, at best, ambivalent about the interventions of health promotion from community-based organisations and at worse hostile and mistrustful.’

And why wouldn’t they be? They are met with waggy fingers when these guys talk to most community health officers.

Instead we want to create a space that is mutually beneficial and meaningful. We want to work with all of you guys out there to open the channels of communication.

The forum is a non-sexual space to encourage the guys who may be intrigued but shy about exploring this facet of male-to-male sex. It is an easy way to meet guys and talk about the how-to’s.

Not forgetting the experienced men, the forum is an opportunity to nut out a more regular meeting place to practice your sexual fraternalism.

You can register your interest to attend by contacting Steve at WAAC on 9482 0000 or email sfragomeni@waaids.com.

The first forum is scheduled for March 23 at 6pm at the WA AIDS Council, 664 Murray St West Perth. Dates for subsequent forums will be announced there.

Steve Fragomeni