PEERS Alliance P.E.I. hosting free five-day workshop for men

Workshops in May will help gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans and queer (GB2STQ+) men in P.E.I. learn more about their sexual health and well-being.

PEERS Alliance (formerly AIDS P.E.I.) has partnered with AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia to host the free Totally OUTright workshops, which will take place in Halifax May 7-11. Meals and transportation will be provided as well as housing support for those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Interested applicants can apply by sending a completed application form to director@peersalliance.ca by today.

The workshops will touch on subjects like mental health, community engagement and belonging, the impacts of stigma and the intersections between gender identity and sexual orientation.

“For GB2STQ+ men, many barriers exist to accessing adequate health care services; mental and sexual health are especially important among these in higher risk groups,” said Bradley Campbell, a peer recruiter for PEERS Alliance.

“Graduates from Totally OUTright will leave with an understanding of how to reduce (sexually transmitted and blood born infection) transmission rates as well as the leadership skills to allow them to affect change within their respective communities.”

The organization aims to attract a diverse group of male identified participants between the ages of 18 and 29, including both rural and urban, men of colour, two-spirited men, trans men, working class men and men with disabilities.

It also aims to reduce sexually transmitted and blood born infections - including HIV transmission rates among youth - through education, prevention and outreach.