Our peer education workshops are six-week workshops for men who are attracted to other men from diverse backgrounds. The workshops are a mix of structured exercises and open discussion. The workshops are free of charge. The groups are usually held on consecutive Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights.
Each session is scheduled to run for three hours (7 – 10 p.m.), with a break for supper and a chance to get to know each other in a more relaxed way. Each workshop has about 8-12 participants. Two trained volunteer facilitators run each group.
The aim of these workshops is to provide a safe space where men can learn about themselves and enhance their relationship with themselves and other people around them. It will also help improve the life-skills and social networks of the men who participate in them.
The following workshops are currently offered at the VAC/GMHC:
Young and Gay
Young and Gay is a coming out workshop for guys aged 18 to 26. It gives young guys a chance to connect with other young guys, to build their social network, share their coming out experience, learn about relationship and sex, and an opportunity to find out more about the gay scene and of course having fun along the way. For more information e-mail youthproject@vicaids.asn.au
Momentum
Momentum is a workshop for men aged 26 and over who are beginning to explore their sexuality. The workshop will provide you with a great new social network, assist you in coming out, orient you to the gay world and familiarise you with the social scene, as well as building relationships and self-esteem. For more information e-mail momentum@vicaids.asn.au
Relationships
The Relationships workshop is a discussion group focusing on relationship issues for gay men aged 18 and over. The course is designed for both single and attached men. The workshop aims at building participants’ communication and relationship skills including listening skills, forming relationships, being sexual, being intimate and more. For more information e-mail relationships@vicaids.asn.au
Gay Asian Proud (GAP)
GAP is a social, support an educational workshop for gay men from diverse Asian cultural backgrounds. Meetings are held every second Saturday of each month. The workshop provides a safe space where participants can explore issues such as ‘coming out’ in a cultural context, family, racism on the gay scene, love and relationships, building social networks with other men from a similar cultural background and of course having fun. For more information e-mal gap@vicaids.asn.au
Cross Cultural Project
The VAC/GMHC also provides resources for social and support groups for gay men from diverse cultural backgrounds. These groups offer a range of activities and services including discussion groups, support and social gatherings. Each group is run for and by men from specific cultural backgrounds.
The aims of the Cross Cultural Project are:
• To expand the supportive and social networks of gay men of CALD backgrounds (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse)
• To affirm pride in members' sexual and cultural identities
• To provide the opportunity to critically explore the issues and concerns which impact upon members' identities
• To recognise, acknowledge, and celebrate the diversity of experiences amongst gay men of CALD backgrounds.
Groups currently include:
• Arab and Gay
• Greek and Gay
• Italian and Gay
For more information about any of these groups, or to enquire about joining, please call the VAC/GMHC on 03 9865 6700 (or free-call 1800 134 840 for country callers), or to e-mail, please click here on the links at the top, right hand side of this page.
