COLOR IN COMMONCHANGING BEHAVIOR THROUGH MPOWERMENT

THE MPOWERMENT PROJECT WORKS

The Mpowerment Project is the first documented HIV prevention intervention for young gay/bisexual men to succeed in reducing sexual risk behavior. The program has been carefully developed, evaluated, and continually refined over the course of twelve years by prominent behavioral scientists from the University of California, San Francisco’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), a leading-edge HIV/AIDS research institution.

Guiding Principles

A series of principles guide this multi-level Project. They include:

personal and community empowerment

diffusion of new behaviors through social networks

peer-influence

putting HIV prevention within the context of other compelling issues for young gay/bisexual men (e.g. social issues)

community building

using gay-positive approaches

HIGH IMPACT PREVENTION (HIP) AND THE MPOWERMENT PROJECT #USCA2013

The MP is one of only a few of evidence-based interventions for gay/bi men, and it has been implemented

by CBOs serving young African American and/or Latino MSM in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas,

Detroit , Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Oakland and San Diego—just to name a few. The MP

creates healthy communities of young gay/bi men, and puts HIV prevention into the context of young

men’s lives. To address the HIV prevention needs of gay/bisexual men, the U.S. needs more MPs, not

fewer of them.

CBOs implementing MP combine social, behavioral, structural and biomedical HIV prevention in their

programs. The methods MP uses to change social norms in a community about safer sex for HIV- and

HIV+ men can also be used for regular and frequent HIV testing. These programs strategically distribute

hundreds of thousands of condoms to young gay and bi men every year and create social norms that

support condom use and safer sex. MP Coordinators offer HIV testing services to their members and refer

young men to appropriate HIV testing programs. HIV positive members are linked to care and find a

supportive and welcoming home in MP. The MP’s adaptability and methods make it a promising approach

to use to disseminate information and to mobilize men to learn more about promising new HIV prevention

strategies such as PrEP, or future vaccines or microbicides.

THEMED CONDOM OUTREACH

Beach Playground

Serving Gold Magnums

Leopard Realness

Nerds

WORD OF MOUTH (MID-SIZED MONTHLY ACTIVITIES)

RATED M (MONTHLY 3 HOUR SEX WORKSHOP)

INFORMAL OUTREACH (INSTAGRAM,FACEBOOK & DATING APPS)

FORMAL OUTREACH

MICHAEL CASTRO

Michael came to the group as an acknowledged virgin. He has grown as an individual

who respects himself and taken on many leadership responsibilities. His passion is writing

He hosts the open mic night “Word of Mouth "and facilitates many of the Rated M workshops.

BRIAN MAC

Brian is one of the original members of Color in Common. He arrived at the group

struggling with bi-polar disorder. Throughout his struggles, he maintained a commitment

to the group. After balancing his medication, Brian has spoken to groups about his illness.

The unofficial historian, Brian maintains minutes for the group. He currently sits on the

Commission and recently attended NMAC’s United States Conference on AIDS conference

in New Orleans.

JESSIE QUINTANILLA

Jesse came to the group already a leader having run an LGBT group at SMC called P.R.I.D.E.

He sero-converted shortly after arriving. He bravely dealt with his diagnosis and spoke about

it honestly. Jesse went on to work with Equality California. He was very involved in the Prop 8

turnover. A natural salesman, he raises money for EQCA. He was just recently promoted to

assistant lead in the field.

MATTHEW ZAVALA

Matthew arrived at Color in Common already HIV positive. He had been a sex worker

and a porn actor. He took the situation of becoming HIV positive and turned it into a

positive experience. Matt embraced the work of the group and the members naturally

followed him. Matt took the work a step further by applying to Children’s Hospital as

a program coordinator.

LENWORTH POYSNER

Lenworth was one of the first youth recruited for Color in Common. Well known

around the center, he was a good fit. Lenworth hosted the first formal event,

our condom fashion show. He was also offered a position as a youth

educator in the B3 project at Children’s Hospital working with youth.

Lenworth was honored and spoke at "An Evening" benefiting

The LA Gay & Lesbian Center at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on

March 21, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.

6 THINGS WE CAN DO ALIGNING COLOR IN COMMON WITH HIGH IMPACT PREVENTION

AND THE NATIONAL HIV AIDS STRATEGY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MPOWERMENT PROJECT

1. Targeted, Widespread Condom & Lube Distribution.

2. Use all that we do at COLOR IN COMMON to promote HIV testing.

3. Create a safe space for EVERYONE, regardless of status.

4. Plan activities and/or collaborate with organizations that reach HIV + young men.

5. Create HIV Prevention safer sex messages and sexual risk reduction materials that target HIV +

young men.

6.Advertise how your MP accomplishes the objectives of the NHAS with your agency, grant-

writers, funders and other influentials.