Sexual Health and Wellbeing of Sexual Minority Men: Insights from the Engage Cohort Study

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are disproportionately represented in new cases of HIV and other sexually transmitted bloodborne infections (STBBI). The Café Scientifique will discuss research from the CIHR-funded Engage Cohort Study covering several themes including: (i) rates of HIV and STBBI among GBM in Toronto and other large metropolitan centres in Canada; (ii) the efficacy and uptake of various HIV and STBBI interventions, and (iii) how sexual risk taking behavior changed through the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers will discuss these findings in light of increasing uptake of preventative HIV medication (i.e., pre-exposure prophylaxis) and shifts in HIV treatment attitudes, and how this may affect GBM sexual behavior. The venue will be the 519 Church Community Centre, which is the community centre for LGBT communities and others in the downtown area. The 519 Community Centre is an ideal setting for a community event where researchers and community members can chat, as it is a gay-friendly space, easily accessible via public transport, and disability-accessible. Our Café will be accessible to the public, stimulating discussion between public participants and experts. We will broaden the reach of our Café by web casting the event and inviting knowledge-users from ASOs and other groups who cannot physically attend to gather participants and join in on the conversation. All Café attendees will receive the CIHR Café Scientifique Evaluation Survey, which will include supplementary questions that evaluate if the Café was informative to the participant, and if it met its stated objectives. The speakers and facilitators will also independently evaluate the event and provide a final report summarizing event activities.