Development, Dissemination and Implementation of the "2009 Gay Men's Health Agenda"

A gay men's health movement has been evolving over more than a decade of gatherings and conferences, research and activism. Through 2008, with leadership from Project CRYSP, a Chicago Department of Public Health collaboration with four local agencies that focus on gay men's health and wellness, the LifeLube.org website was utilized to share ideas for a 2009 Gay Men's Health Agenda. After presentation and review of the input at the 2008 National Gay Men's Health Summit, a 2009 Gay Men's Health Agenda was drafted, and submitted again for Internet-based commentary. The final Agenda was affirmed in early 2009 and dissemination and discussion begun. A panel will share a summary of this process; present and discuss the final Agenda's content - a background section, and a section of recommendations; and outline how the Agenda has been disseminated and discussed in the communities addressed by the Agenda, including gay, bisexual and transgender men, and allies, in roles of activism, service delivery, policy development, and advocacy. Case examples of discussion and use of the Agenda, in diverse settings and regions, will be presented. The Agenda highlights - in short form - the contemporary discussion of the syndemic character and production of gay men's health and wellbeing, the diversity of needs in our communities, the assets these communities bring to bear, the impact of adverse and affirmative governmental policies, needs for culturally sensitive research, and pathways for advocacy.