EpiCH Support
      Services

The primary objective of M2M is to provide an innovative, evidence-based, high quality, intensive, community and risk appropriate HIV risk reduction intervention directly to the community most infected and affected by HIV in the U.S. , gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The aim of this two-day seminar-based program is to reduce MSM's HIV sexual risk behavior and sexual co-factors, through promoting long-term sexual health. The stated goals of M2M include:

1. to provide accurate knowledge to assist participants to develop a comprehensive understanding of their own and others' sexualities;
2. to challenge attitudes (regarding self-acceptance, sociosexual behavior and HIV/AIDS);
3. to affirm healthy and responsible lifestyles;
4. to confront factors and cofactors maintaining unsafe sex, by assisting participants to develop self-esteem to lower internalized homophobia;
5. to promote assertiveness in participants; and
6. to build community identification by assisting individuals to identify with similar others. 

The seminar is based on a model developed at the University of Minnesota (Robinson et al., 2002), while its effectiveness on sexual behavior was tested in a randomized controlled trial (Rosser et al., 2002). As part of the seminar, participants have the opportunity to participate in research on MSM's sexual health through pre-test and post-test pen and paper surveys.

To date Man-to-Man has been offered in 3 countries and several states to demonstrate what new programs for gay, bisexual and other MSM can look like. The Man-to-Man curriculum is currently offered in English as Man-to-Man and in Spanish as De hombre a hombre. Currently, Man-to-Man is offered in two U.S. states on a regular basis as a university-community collaboration

• In Minnesota , Man-to-Man is being offered in the Twin Cities and annually in rural Minnesota . We partner with the Minnesota AIDS Project in recruiting men for this intervention, while health professionals from over 40 agencies work collaboratively on staffing this physician-sexologist led seminar.  These seminars are funded through the Minnesota Department of Health.
• In Arizona , the University of Minnesota partners with Arizona Body Positive who have been implementing the seminars in Phoenix and now statewide. These seminars are funded through the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services.

Sample of Man-2-Man seminar outline:

A BIG welcome to Man-to-Man! This weekend seminar asks gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, and men attracted to men, a critical challenge:  “How is my and our sexual health?”  Over the two days, you have the opportunity to participate in a seminar led by two health professionals focused on human sexuality and intimacy. Seminar activities include large group presentations, small group discussions, exercises, games, challenges and workbook activities. Because the program is comprehensive, you are strongly recommended to attend the whole seminar.

Caveat:

Please note this seminar includes sexually explicit media and discussions of sex between men. For this reason the seminar is restricted to adults aged 18 years or older.

Goals of the seminar:

1. To pro vide accurate knowledge on human sexuality and sexual health
2. To challenge your attitudes (to assist you to know yourself better)
3. To affirm healthy and responsible options in sexuality
4. To provide an experience of sexual health , within which to address concerns
5. To build community by providing a safe place to challenge sexual health
6. To promote assertiveness in confronting factors that limit participants adopting sexua l health.

Topics:

• Learning to be sexually healthy
• Sexuality across the lifespan
• Intimacy and stages of gay relationships
• Bisexuality and sexual diversity
• Sexual functioning and how to improve a sex life
• Developing assertiveness and empowerment
• Breaking isolation and developing networks
• Understanding effects of fear, violence and abuse
• Being sexual in the age of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
• Sexuality and spiritualit y

Suggested guidelines for the Weekend

• Reflect : Thi s is a “retreat” time to reflect on you, your life, and your health. You are encouraged to make it personal, to take “time out,” and relax.
•  Respect : This is also an opportunity to learn from other participants. We encourage an attitude of respect for the differences and similarities.
•  Adult education : Share only what you want to disclose, and participate only as you wish.
•    Enjoy and have fun : We encourage active participation through exercises.