ACON: Engaging Gay Men Into Health Services

"Simple measures demonstrate to clients that the service has considered their needs in structuring their services towards them..."

Services can take some simple and effective measures to improve the weay that engage with GBLTI men. Consistent with principles of male-inclusive practices, these measures are relatively inexpensive to implement but can demonstrate to clients that the service has considered their needs in structuring their services towards them.

What do GLBT clients need?

Men need to know that the service available to help them is adequately strcutured and prepared for the kinds of issues they bring to the service. Assessment of whether a service is ready or not starts at the very first point of contact and is ongoing, so services need to understand how men find out about them and what they need to do to better cater for men as clients. This includes:

• Clear messages that the service welcomes diverse sexualities and genders
• To know that confidentiality will be respected
• Services that are understanding of GLBT health and wellbeing concerns

How Can A Service Implement Male-Friendly Practices?

• Display relevant visuals and reading materials
• Be transprent about privacy and diversity policies
• Be sure to make it clear that the service is equipped for needs of target clients
• Structure programs targeted towards clients' needs.
• Use appropriate language that is inclusive, not alienating
• Use language relevant to clients.
• Implement polcies to reduce exclusion by staff and workers
• Be prepared to deal with negative commentary
• Be open in your support for the target client group
• Make sure to emply members of the target group

These are just some of the principles in making the service friendly to males of all kinds.