MSM Sexual Health
The MSM Sexual Health program is focused on the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among cis and trans men and non-binary folks who have sex with men.
The program is committed to the development of healthy, vibrant communities free from stigma, achieving these goals through a combination of outreach, support, education and community development initiatives.
The department is available to contact at any time for support or with questions/concerns related to programming, HIV/STI information, sexual health and safer sex practices:
MSM Sexual Health Coordinator
MSM Sexual Health Worker
Philip Charbonneau
Email: pcharbonneau@thrivehiv.ca
Phone: 519-635-2437 (text available) OR 519-570-3687 ext. 312
Paulo Eleria
Email: peleria@thrivehiv.ca
Phone: 519-635-1761 (text available) OR 519-570-3687 ext. 314
We are continuing to monitor the evolving Mpox (‘monkeypox‘) virus and the particular public health impacts it is having on men who have sex with men.
You can visit Ontario’s Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance webpage for more information, including Mpox vaccination clinics near you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns, as well as for support, using the contact details below.
Please see below for more information on the MSM Sexual Health program and its various initiatives.
Get PrEP
Are you thinking about starting PrEP? Do you have questions about PrEP? Have you considered making PrEP part of your safer sex strategy? Meet with us! Our trained staff will answer any questions you have and walk you through everything you need to begin taking PrEP. Most people pay $0 for PrEP!
During your appointment you can be connected with a provider who will work with you on funding, delivery and regular testing! PrEP can be discreetly delivered to your home or another location of your choice. It's as easy as that!
If you identify as a cis or trans man or non-binary person who has sex with men, you can book a free and anonymous consultation appointment with a staff member through the link below:
Or book by phone by calling us at 519-570-3687 or text 519-635-2437 during business hours.
HIV Testing
We provide FREE anonymous rapid HIV testing in our office! Get your results in minutes in a sex-positive, non-judgmental space! Knowing your status is an important part of a safer sex strategy.
Click the link below to book an appointment online.
Or book by phone by calling us at 519-570-3687 or text 519-635-2437 during business hours. At THRIVE one of our trained staff members can take you through the test step-by-step, provide you with support, and answer any questions you might have.
If you are looking for full STI screening, please visit our STI testing resource page. At this time we do not conduct general STI testing at our facility.
Talk Therapy
Looking for a positive change in your sex life? Want healthier sexual relationships? Need help navigating consent? Having trouble with addictions to porn/hook-up apps? Come chat with us!
Our structured talk therapy supports cis and trans men and non-binary folks who want to have sex with men to have better romantic and sexual relationships, and sexual and mental health!
Using proven motivational interviewing techniques, our specifically trained staff will work with you to identify goals and create a plan to make the changes you want.
Education
We do fun & informative workshops! We deliver workshops relating to issues affecting cis and trans men and non-binary folks who have sex with men as they relate to HIV, other STIs and sexual health. We have workshops and training available for service providers and community organizations! Contact us by email or by phone 519-570-3687 extension 312 to book a workshop.
Topics include (but are not limited to):
HIV basics
HIV Stigma and HIV disclosure
2SLGBTQ+ sexual health and safer spaces
PrEP and PEP
Sex and Technology
The Sex You Want
The Sex You Want (TSYW) is an ongoing campaign in collaboration with Ontario’s Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance. TSYW features animated videos, comic strips, and info-graphics that reflect the complex and diverse experiences of cis and trans men and non-binary folks who have sex with men which is grounded in science and a progressive attitude towards sex and pleasure. Check it out!
Volunteer Opportunities and Peer Programs
Do you enjoy meeting new people? Teaching new things to others? Want to make a difference in your community? Come volunteer with us!
Peers are defined by the MSM Sexual Health program as those who self-identify as members of the Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-Binary and/or Queer community, including those living with and without HIV. Peer opportunities for this program include:
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Park Outreach – From May to October, peers work in pairs to hang kits containing condoms, lube, testing information, and counselling referral information in wooded areas around the region where folks cruise for sex, as well as clean up any waste that is found. Peers in this program need to be able to go through Thrive’s general training as well as our specific park outreach training. They must also be able to navigate through heavily wooded areas in sometimes unpleasant conditions.
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Event Outreach – All year long, the MSM Sexual Health program makes appearances at various events and festivals where Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-binary and/or Queer folk are likely to attend in large numbers. Often, this form of outreach involves interacting with the public through a sexual health quiz game focused on MSM sexual health and history. Peers in this program need to go through Thrive's general training, outreach training, familiarize themselves with the various resources we distribute, and demonstrate a general aptitude for up-to-date MSM sexual health knowledge.
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Online Outreach – Every week, the MSM Sexual Health program performs online outreach to cis and trans men and non-binary folks who have sex with men on a variety of online platforms, from Grindr to Squirt! Peers assist with this program by using a provided tablet to perform outreach for a minimum of three hours per week on their own, on a rotating basis.
If you are interested in volunteering with our program, please visit THRIVE’s volunteer page click here!