This document discusses the challenges facing men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Middle East and North Africa region, including high rates of HIV prevalence, limited access to prevention and care services, violence, rejection, and self-stigma. It proposes strengthening advocacy efforts and promoting networking between LGBT organizations to facilitate combined HIV prevention approaches for MSM in hostile environments. A practical manual was developed with input from several regional associations to provide guidance on advocating for improved access to HIV prevention services for MSM.

1. Background on
M-Coalition
Johnny TOHME
IAC Melbourne
July, 2014

2. An epidemiological vulnerability + + + of MSM in the
region ... prevalence of 4% to 28% in a low prevalence
setting among general population(less than 1%)
But ...
Very limited access to prevention and care ...
Because ...
MSM in the region combine the statutory deficit: S & D
+ + +, violence, rejection, barriers to care, self-stigma,
self-exclusion, ...
Very little research to document needs / realities of
MSM
insufficient funds

3. Recall the link between statutory deficits and immune
deficiency
Change the look on MSM and strengthen the will to act
internally in associations
Enhance the quality / continuity programs emphasizing the
need to enroll in a combined prevention approach that
enhances both the knowledge, will and power to protect
Strengthen the knowledge of society actors to plead for
better access to a combined MSM/HIV prevention
Show that it is possible to facilitate the access of MSM in
combination prevention in hostile environments
Promote networking between LGBT associations HR and
associations fighting against HIV

4. Practical manual to assist civil society and HR defenders in the
fight against AIDS in Francophone countries of North Africa
and the Middle East
Designed by MSM GF 2011
Adapted by ALCS (Morocco) through a participatory process in
connection with seven other associations, ANISS, APCS
(Algeria), Marsa, Helem, OSE (Lebanon), SOS peer educators
(Mauritania) and ATL (Tunisia)

5. 3 chapters and an appendix
Methodological hints to learn how to advocate for access to a combined MSM HIV
prevention
5 factsheets detailing how to raise funds, encourage search, improve the quality of action,
fighting against the S & D and secure interventions with MSM
Educational benchmarks to facilitate adaptation, organization and facilitation of training
sessions from the contents of Sections A & B
resource materials and websites for more information on the topics covered in the manual

6. Introducing Aali Soutak at the pre-conference MSM GF 2012.
Introducing Aali Soutak in MENA, Global Village, Washington DC IAC
2012.
Plenary presentation with teams from other countries at the IAS
Conference Washington DC (July 2012)
Introducing Aali Soutak at the MSMGF NWZ, Washington DC (July 2012)

7. 3 main activities have emerged from this last initiative:
Advocacy to promote research among MSM
Promoting to train media and legal agents
Encourage networking between organizations and
activists
"We all do a great job of advocacy now, but we are
isolated. Why can not we work together more closely?
We have the same context, we can share the lessons
we can cooperate in research, and we can work on
advocacy. Together we will be stronger and more
visible at regional and international levels"

8. Over a period of one year, we remained in touch, we
met, we Skyped, we called and finally wrote the
proposal
Beirut was chosen to be the hosting city to ensure the
ease of work and the slightly higher level of sexual
freedoms in the region