Cruising Counts: Examining Online and App-based Sexual Health Outreach for MSM in Ontario

Gay, bisexual, 2-spirit, straight, queer cis- and trans-gender men of all ages and immigration statuses who have sex with other men (MSM) are increasingly using the Internet to seek social and sexual relationships. Research has demonstrated increased risk for HIV transmission by men seeking partners online, but also the effectiveness of online interventions to reduce these risks. In particular, these methods are effective in connecting with traditionally hard to reach MSM who do not or cannot access common in-person outreach services at bars or bathhouses (e.g. men in rural areas, men who aren’t out, and young men not of age).

Currently, there is considerably little comprehensive online outreach for MSM in Ontario. Without an effective online presence, public health agencies and AIDS service organizations are missing a growing opportunity to connect online with MSM to prevent further HIV infections. This project has identified strategies to enhance effective outreach services for MSM in Ontario, and promoting the integration of current evidence into existing and emerging policies and programs, as well as providing rationale and support for the expansion of effective online outreach with MSM in Ontario by identifying approaches to address current barriers and challenges. This research supports the delivery of broadly available, accessible, culturally competent, and comprehensive online outreach to MSM, that enhances their sexual wellbeing and decreases the risk of HIV transmission.

The study included interviews with AIDS Service organizations, public health officials and community based programs about their efforts at online outreach. An online survey asked MSM about their online use and experiences with sexual health promotion via websites and mobile apps.

Rusty Souleymanov
Research Assistant
416-946-7023
rusty.souleymanov@mail.utoronto.ca

David J. Brennan
Principal Investigator
416-978-3273
david.brennan@utoronto.ca

Nathan J. Lachowsky
Co-Principal Investigator
nathan.lachowsky@utoronto.ca

David J. Brennan
University of Toronto

Nathan J. Lachowsky
University of British Columbia

Gerardo Betancourt
University of Toronto

Vijaya Chikermane
Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention

Meredith Fraser
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection

Duncan MacLachlan
Ontario HIV Treatment Network

Owen McEwen
Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance

James Murray
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Daniel Pugh
Sherbourne Health Centre

Garfield Durrant
Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention

Richard Utama
Asian Community AIDS Services

Simon Rosser
University of Minnesota

Phone Lines

Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youthline
www.youthline.ca // 1.800.268.9688

Kids Help Phone
www.kidshelpphone.ca // 1.800.668.6868

Scarborough Sexual Health Clinic // 416.338.7438

Community Information – Toronto

211 Toronto
www.211toronto.ca

Counselling

Pride & Prejudice – Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS)
www.ctys.org/programs/prideprejudice.htm

David Kelley Lesbian and Gay Community Counselling Program
www.fsatoronto.com/programs/fsaprograms/davekelleylesgay.html

David Kelley HIV/AIDS Community Counselling Program
http://www.fsatoronto.com/programs/fsaprograms/davekelley.html

Health Care 

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/

Sherbourne Health Centre
www.sherbourne.on.ca/

Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition
www.rainbowhealth.ca/

Canadian Health Network
www.canadian-health-network.ca

Central Toronto Community Health Centre
www.ctchc.com

Access Alliance Multi-cultural Community Health Centre
www.accessalliance.ca/

National Eating Disorder Information Centre
www.nedic.ca

SHOUT Clinic 416-927-8553
www.ctchc.com/

The House (Planned Parenthood) 416-927-7171
http://www.ppt.on.ca/thehouse.html

Street Outreach Services (SOS) 416-926-0744
http://www.loftcs.org/program-street.htm

Sexual Health

Hassle Free Clinic
www.hasslefreeclinic.org/

Sexualityandu.ca
www.sexualityandu.ca/

GayMenPlaySafe.com
gaymenplaysafe.com/

Planned Parenthood of Toronto
http://www.ppt.on.ca

Teen Sex Information Program (Planned Parenthood)
http://www.ppt.on.ca/tsip.htm

HIV/AIDS/STI’s

AIDS & Sexual Health InfoLine  416.392.2437

The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)
www.actoronto.org/

Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP)
www.black-cap.com/

Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention
www.asaap.ca/low/home/index.html

Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS)
www.acas.org/

Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA)
www.pwatoronto.org/

Canadian AIDS Society / Société canadienne du sida
www.cdnaids.ca

Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Network
www.caan.ca/

Toronto Hospital HIV/AIDS Clinic
www.tthhivclinic.com/

African & Caribbean Council on HIV /AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO)
http://www.accho.ca/

Substance Use

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
www.camh.net

Fred Victor Centre – Harm Reduction program
www.fredvictor.org/community.html#

Camps for LGBT kids & youth

Camp Ten Oaks
www.camptenoaks.org

Camp fYreflY
www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca/

Community Centres

The 519 Community Centre (Toronto)
www.the519.org/

Queer DisAbility Resources

Cross-DisAbilities/Genders/Sexualities Working Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/x-disabilities/

Bent: A journal of cripgay voices
http://www.bentvoices.org/

Deaf Queer Resource Centre
http://www.deafqueer.org 

Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
http://www.orad.ca 

The 519 Community Centre Community Counselling Program
http://www.the519.org/programsservices/the519anti-violenceprogram/counsellingservices

Education – ESL (English as a second language)

Search for an ESL Program – Toronto District School Board
www.settlement.org/sys/link_redirect.asp?doc_id=1002855

Employment

Fred Victor Centre – Employment
www.fredvictor.org/employment.html

St. Stephen’s Community House – Employment & Training Centre
www.ststephenshouse.com/etc.shtml

Skills for Change
www.skillsforchange.org/

COSTI
www.costi.org

Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)
www.accestrain.com/

Job Start
www.jobstart-cawl.org/

Foodbanks and Meal Programs

The Red Cross 416.929.7848

Scott Mission 416.923.8872

St.John the Compassionate Mission 416.466.1357

Housing

Fred Victor Centre – Housing access and support
www.fredvictor.org/housing.html

Casey House for People living with HIV/AIDS
www.caseyhouse.com

Fife House for People living with HIV/AIDS
www.fifehouse.org/

Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal
www.orht.gov.on.ca

Housing Connections
http://housingconnections.ca/

Homelessness/Poverty

Homelessness Action Group
www.homelessness.on.ca/

Metro Network for Social Justice
www.mnsj.org

Nellie’s
www.nellies.org/

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
www.ocap.ca/

Immigration

LEGIT – The Lesbian & Gay Immigration Task Force – Canada
www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/immigration/legit.html

Legal: Legal Aid

Justice for Children & Youth
www.jfcy.org

Legal Aid Ontario
www.legalaid.on.ca

HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario
www.halco.org

Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
www.cleo.on.ca

A Legal Resource Centre for People with Disabilities
www.arch-online.org

Pro Bono Law Ontario
www.pblo.org

Mental Health

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – Rainbow Services
http://www.camh.net/Care_Treatment/Program_Descriptions/
Addictions_Programs/Rainbow_Services/index.html

Across Boundaries Community Mental Health Centre
www.acrossboundaries.ca

Children’s Mental Health Ontario
www.cmho.org

Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division
www.ontario.cmha.ca

Griffin Centre
http://www.griffin-centre.org/

Gerstein Centre
http://www.gersteincentre.org/ 

Settlement/Immigration

Settlement – Welcome to Ontario
www.settlement.org

Culture Link
www.culturelink.net/

Shelter – Youth

Covenant House
www.covenanthouse.org/

Turning Point Youth Services
www.turningpoint.ca/

Youth without shelter
www.yws.on.ca/

Shelter for Refugees

Romero House – 416.763.1303
www.romerohouse.org/

Sojourn House – 416.864.0515
www.sojournhouse.org/

Matthew House  – 416.203.7848
www.matthewhouse.ca/

Social & Financial Assistance

Ontario Works – Social Assistant
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/social/programs/ow.htm

Online magazines

Gay Guide Toronto
www.gayguidetoronto.com/

Other Queer groups

Salaam Canada (Queer Muslim Community)
www.salaamcanada.org/

Kulanu Toronto, a Jewish LGBTQ social group
www.kulanutoronto.ca

Avanti – Italian Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals
www.web.net/avanti

Trans, Two Spirit, Intersex

Trans Youth Toronto (The 519 Community Centre)
www.the519.org/programs/trans/transyouthtoronto/index.shtml

Trans Programmes at the 519
http://www.the519.org/programs/trans/index.shtml

Two Spirited People of the 1st Nations
www.2spirits.com

Intersex Society of North America
www.isna.org

Bodies Like Ours (Intersex)
www.bodieslikeours.org 

Information on Name Changes in Ontario
http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/change_name.htm

Xpressions
www.xpressions.org/

Transsexual Menace
www.themenace.net/

FIERCE NYC
www.fiercenyc.org

Sylvia Rivera Law Project
http://www.srlp.org

Vancouver Transgender Health Program
http://www.vch.ca/transhealth/

FTM International
http://www.ftmi.org

Trans Health
http://www.trans-health.com/

Guelph  

Guelph Queer Equality
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~gqe/

OUTline – 519.836.4550
www.uoguelph.ca/~outline/

Hamilton  

Hamilton AIDS Network
www.aidsnetwork.ca/

Ottawa

GLBTQ Community Centre Initiative
www.ottawaglbtqcentre.com/

Housing Help / Aide logement
www.housinghelp.on.ca/glbt.shtml

Housing Help for people with HIV/AIDS
www.brucehouse.org/

Gay Ottawa
www.gayottawa.com/

Thunder Bay

AIDS Thunder Bay
www.aidsthunderbay.org