Netreach web based support for Gay and bisexual men

Netreach – Web Based Support For
Gay and Bisexual Men
Harry Mc Anulty
Sexual Health Development Officer
The Rainbow Project
The Rainbow Project aims to promote the
physical, mental and emotional health and
well-being of gay and bisexual men in
Northern Ireland
Foyle Office
Belfast Office
Homophobia/Hetrosexism
Homophobia
• An irrational fear of, aversion to and/or
discrimination against people who are gay,
lesbian or bisexual
Heterosexism
• The invisibility and lack of understanding of
gay and bisexual people and their needs as a
result of the assumption by society of
heterosexuality.
Experiencing Homophobia
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In an open place (including from strangers)
Visiting Bars
Visiting Youth Club
Being provided health services
Voluntary Community organisations
At school from other students
At school from staff
At work from staff/colleagues
At home from neighbours
At home from other tenants
Visiting restaurants and other eateries
44.2
13.2
9.1
2.6
2.6
51.9
15
19.8
14
7
13.2
(source: Out On Your Own, McNamee, 2006)
Safe Spaces
Meeting other same sex attracted people
Bars/Clubs
Internet
History – Hidden world of gay sex – illegal
Internet
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People with same sex attractions have relatively few places in which they can meet
without fear of negative social consequences. The internet provides a range of
settings populated by same sex attracted people who may or may not be gay or
bisexual identified but exploring their sexual orientation
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Many of these people are socially isolated, from culturally and diverse
communities and live in rural areas.
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Because of the anonymity and capacity to reach large numbers of people the
internet has become a useful place to facilitate access to other same sex attracted
people, form friendship groups , find sexual partners, be socialised into gay
community culture and or access specific sexual health information with out fear
of judgement. This has provided a setting where interventions can access
previously hard to reach at risk groups
Developing Internet Relationships
• Social Networking Sites for gay and bisexual
men
Key issues: real world/Internet
• Building social skills
• Highly sexualised environments
• Staying safe
Sexualised Environments
• Gaydar – Squirt – Fit Lads – Lads Lads – Grindr
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Profiles – public/private
Types of sex available – Bareback, Extreme sex
Web cam sex
Pornography
Safe Space met with sex
Normalises sex being key to building relationships
Squirt and Grindr
Gaydar
eHarmony and Plenty of Fish
Dangers of online relationships
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Meeting people you do not know
Risky sex and availability of it
Negotiating sex and safer sex
Sexual Violence/Non consensual sex
Impact on developing relationships skills
Child protection
The Rainbow Project’s Online
Response – NETREACH
• Sexual health Information for gay/bisexual men and other
MSM on internet chat room
• Trained outreach workers
• Supported by Gaydar – Europe’s biggest Gay social network
site
• Addressing other issues
Splash Page
Chat Room
Types of interactions
Information on:
• Sexual health
• Sexual orientation
• HIV
• STI’s
• Listening ear support –ASSIT
• Hate Crime reporting/Domestic Violence/Discrimination
Referrals to;
• GUM Clinics
• Outreach testing clinics
• Rapid HIV Testing
• Counselling services
• HIV social work team
• Other support services
The Rainbow Project
1st Floor
Old Memorial House
9-13 Waring Street
Belfast
BT1 2DX
Tel: 028 9031 9030
harry@rainbow-project.org
www.rainbow-project.org