The latest MSMGF annual report documents our commitment to men who have sex with men in the global fight to end AIDS. The entire organization- board members, funders, our partners, and our staff- remains focused on a strategic response to the discrimination, stigma, and violence faced by key populations who are disproportionately affected by HIV & AIDS.
Download the 2016 Annual Report Here
“I think we can all agree, 2016 was a tough year.
We saw a rise in violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. We witnessed the re-emergence of xenophobic, conservative populist movements. We experienced stunning political setbacks in the global fight against AIDS.
2016 was tough but MSMGF rose to the occasion, lifting our voice with countless other advocates to champion the lived experiences of gay and bisexual men around the world.
Our 2016 Annual Report, now available online, marks a shift in our organization’s strategy towards global health and human rights. From our Pre-Conference in Durban, South Africa, to our fervent opposition to the lack of accountability to gay and bisexual men in the Political Declaration from the UN High Level Meeting to End AIDS, MSMGF is taking new steps to meet challenges ahead with bold new ideas and strategic action.
Amid major changes and challenges to the global HIV response, it is critical that MSMGF supports global movements for sexual health and human rights. We will continue to hold multilateral institutions, donors, and governments accountable for the unfinished business of HIV prevention, treatment, support, and care. Silence and denial are not acceptable responses to the structural and social causes of HIV, and we know that violence, discrimination, criminalization, homophobia, and transphobia are key barriers that will continue to stifle efforts to put an end to AIDS. We are closely monitoring the disturbing recent trend among many governments to espouse revisionist and politically motivated understandings of HIV that deny sexual transmission as the principle route of infection for key populations, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender women, and people who inject drugs.
As things get tough, MSMGF keeps getting tougher, thanks to the hard work of our Board, Steering Committee, staff, consultants, community-based partners, and activists worldwide. In order to build the political will to advance our health and rights agenda, we will continue watch-dog and influence global policy, produce critical research and publications, and support our partners and community-led organizations across the globe.
The 2016 Annual Report is a display of the many ways we work to monitor, document, educate, facilitate coalitions, and support one another to speak truth to power. From our leadership in global health policy, to technical assistance for community-based organizations, to advocacy for human rights for all, we hope that the report inspires you to join us in the fight against AIDS and support MSMGF as we head into a new year.
With thanks for your continued support,
George Ayala
Executive Director
Download the 2016 Annual Report Here
About MSMGF
MSMGF is an expanding network of advocates and other experts in sexual health, LGBT/human rights, research, and policy, working to ensure an effective response to HIV among gay men and other men who have sex with men. We are directly linked with more than 130 community-based organizations, across 73 countries.
The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF)
www.msmgf.org
