Latest News
Hepatitis C Virus Infections Among HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men: An Expanding Epidemic
23-Aug-2010
Latest Resources
10-Jul-2010
22-Aug-2010
Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Prevention: Status and Prospects
19-Aug-2010
02-Aug-2010
Asia Regional Consultation on MSM HIV/AIDS Care and Support
27-Jul-2010
21-Jul-2010
This website was developed with support from UNAIDS RST - Asia Pacific.
About APCOM
The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is a regional coalition of MSM and HIV community-based organisations, the government sector, donors, technical experts and the UN system. The main purpose is advocating for political support and increases in investment and coverage of HIV services in Asia Pacific. APCOM promotes principles of good practice and lessons learnt by bringing together representatives from diverse groups in an effort to share experience, knowledge and expertise.
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Defining "MSM"
“Men who have sex with men” (MSM) is an inclusive public health term used to define the sexual behaviours of males having sex with other males, regardless of gender identity, motivation for engaging in sex or identification with any or no particular ‘community’. The words 'man' and 'sex' are interpreted differently in diverse cultures and societies as well as by the individuals involved. As a result, the term MSM covers a large variety of settings and contexts in which male to male sex takes place.
The Goals of APCOM
Increased investment: from governments, donors and civil society groups and communities in appropriate research and effective interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for men who have sex with men and transgenders in the Asia Pacific region.
Scaled up programmatic, geographic and comprehensive coverage: of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support interventions for men who have sex with men and transgenders in the Asia Pacific.
Strengthen the evidence-base for advocacy, policy development, programming and reducing societal, legal, and institutional obstacles for the above.
Advocacy in Action
Punitive and discriminatory laws limit access to HIV prevention and care services for men having sex with men in Asia Pacific
Final report from UNDP and APCOM
Both punitive and protective laws, policies and practices impact comprehensive HIV responses
(21 July 2010 - Vienna) Some 19 of 48 countries in the Asia Pacific region continue to criminalize male-to-male sex, and these laws often taken on the force of vigilantism, frequently leading to abuse and human rights violations. Correspondingly, HIV prevalence has reached alarming levels among men who have sex with men and transgender populations in many countries of the region. If countries fail to address the legal and human rights context of HIV, this already critical situation is likely to become worse. The implementation of effective, national HIV responses requires governments to consider and address the effects of laws and law enforcement practices on the health of men who have sex with men and transgender people.
This warning came as a key finding in the report entitled Legal environments, human rights and HIV responses among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Asia and the Pacific: An agenda for action. Commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM), this report and its key findings were presented during the session on Criminalizing Homosexual Behaviour: Human Rights Violation and Obstacles to Effective HIV/AIDS Prevention at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna.
The study found that a range of laws, such as public order and vagrancy offences, are selectively enforced against men who have sex with men and transgender people in many countries of the region. Even in the absence of criminalization, the arbitrary and inappropriate enforcement of other legal provisions often violate the rights of men who have sex with men and transgender persons, thereby obstructing advocacy, outreach, and delivery of HIV and health services. This is among the issues that were at the heart of the 2009 landmark ruling by the Delhi High Court that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unfairly discriminates against men who have sex with men.
APCOM announces its first Executive Director
APCOM, the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health, announces the selection of its first Executive Director, Steven Gu. With this appointment, the APCOM secretariat will officially be based in Bangkok where one of the new Executive Director’s first duties is to establish a regional office.
“I look forward to executing my mandate to take APCOM to the next level,” said Gu. “This has to be in close partnership with other organisations in the region, particularly the existing as well as the new and emerging sub-regional networks serving the HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment and care needs of men who have sex with men and transgender communities in our vast region.”
Steven Gu completed his undergraduate studies at Fudan University in China and earned a Master’s degree at Iowa State University in the US. Since the early 1990s, he has been actively involved with non-government organisations, mostly working for the rights of LGBT (lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people) both in North America and Asia Pacific.
Gu also has an extensive background in education as well as the private sector, having worked in California as a college instructor and interpreter for five years. His expertise in the business sector, both private and community-based, includes business consulting, human resources and career counselling.
“We are delighted to have Steven join and help lead the fast-paced and essential work of APCOM,” said Shivananda Khan, Executive Officer of Naz Foundation International and Chair of the APCOM Board of Trustees. “Recent successes of the advocacy coalition which comprises APCOM must be built on so that community work to help improve the health and well-being of MSM and transgender people in Asia Pacific will be sustained well into the future.”
APCOM plans activities for 10th ICAAP in Busan, South Korea
2011 Conference theme: "Different Voices, United Action"
Following on its success in 2009 in Bali, the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is planning a series of activities on the unique challenges posed by HIV and AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people in the Asia Pacific region for the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) in Busan, Korea in late August 2011.
An interactive consultation, The 200 Forum, was an official pre-conference activity of the 2009 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAPIX) in Bali, and preceded a number of APCOM-co-hosted, coordinated and convened symposia, satellites, and regional and sub-regional caucus meetings during and around ICAAPIX itself. Links to stories about each activity, including all presentations and some key speeches, can be found by clicking here or on the 200 Forum logo (see right).
From the Governing Board
Evidence of the increasing HIV burden that MSM are carrying is finally
coming to light, and is now beginning to influence policy making. At last,
some governments, donors, and the UN system are taking leadership in scaling
up effective responses. A window of opportunity exists in the region right
now, and APCOM intends to make a concerted effort to ensure MSM are included
in the drive for universal access.
Shivananda is the APCOM Chairperson and Chief Executive of Naz Foundation International and works from their Regional Office in Lucknow, India.
Due to language barriers, many Chinese groups cannot access international support. APCOM provides a platform to share experiences with others and keeps the Chinese MSM community up to date on issues. APCOM also can help reach out to the Chinese government, providing a good mechanism to aid decision making. My burden is heavy, I know, to work behalf of Chinese MSM as it is such a huge population but APCOM will help me to be successful in playing this important bridging role.
Zhen Li is the APCOM Community Representitive for China, co-founder of Beijing Gender Health Education Institute (BGGEI) and is now coordinator of the Civil Society Program of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in China.
We, at Hivos, believe in the power of organisations like APCOM, in which a broad coalition works together to improve the situation of MSM and TG in Asia Pacific. We believe that the work APCOM is doing can bring the change that is needed and are proud to support and be part of this important and exciting process.
Paul is the Programme Officer for LGBT Rights and MSM-HIV for Hivos, an APCOM donor partner, and serves as a Donor Sector Representitive on the Board.