New Publication Transcends Language Barriers to Share Untold Stories of Gay Men Living With HIV Around the World

Oakland, California -- The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) today launched their new online multimedia publication, SENSE, spotlighting the stories of men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV across the globe. The quarterly magazine provides an important platform for men whose voices are seldom heard in the global AIDS dialogue.

Written by and for MSM living with HIV, SENSE was created in response to a dearth of publications reflecting the needs and realities experienced by MSM living with HIV in a variety of contexts. Each installment features four writers from four different countries, exploring issues of stigma, wellness, activism and empowerment. Each set of narratives is supplemented with updates on health and wellness tailored to the needs of MSM living with HIV.

"SENSE was developed as a bridge to connect men from different parts of the world," said Dr. George Ayala, Executive Officer of the MSMGF. "These stories are almost never shared outside their original language, fragmenting global communication, understanding and collaboration. Our hope is that SENSE will start important conversations that were just not possible before."

The inaugural issue features powerful stories of family, homophobia, and intimacy from China, Morocco, Romania and Paraguay. Each essay is available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, in addition to audio recordings of the authors reading their work in its original language. The issue also includes useful information on HIV treatment and a look at smoking among MSM and MSM living with HIV.

"The name of the publication embodies a wide range of possibilities and meanings, from sense of direction to a sense of pride in who we are, our sense of intimacy, desire and love," said Omar Baños, Editor of SENSE. "The contributors have such a wealth of experience, passion and creativity -- I believe that the combined strength of their words and images has the potential to take us to a place where we have not yet been as a global movement."

The inaugural issue of SENSE can be found on the MSMGF's website at www.msmgf.org/html/sense/sense.html.