Small Group Discussion Questions

The purpose of this group is to explore issues related to emotional health and recreational use of substances ("club drugs") in conjunction with sexual activity. Data suggest that "club drug" use (especially poppers, and crystal/speed/methamphetamine) is associated with higher levels of risk taking among GBTM. In addition, GBTM who experience poor emotional health engage in more risk behavior. What can the community do to address club drug use & the emotional health of GBTM?

Facilitator: Sharon Hopkins

Focus Questions:

1.	What is your experience with this issue? What have you noticed going on with GBTM?
2.	What messages do we want to give?
3.	What messages are acceptable to the community? What messages are unacceptable?
4.	Who is the appropriate messenger - Public Health, CBOs, community institutions, media?
5.	What kinds of programs are likely to be most effective?
6.	What barriers are we likely to face?
7.	Is the community aware of this issue?
8.	Who else needs to be involved in discussion of these issues?
9.	What additional information is needed to effect change?
10.	Three specific recommendations from our group are...

Group B - Community Leadership and Media

The purpose of this small group is to discuss how community leadership and media can shift normative behaviors in the gay community.

Facilitator: Karen Hartfield

Focus Questions:

1.	What are the current norms among GBTM related to: Unprotected anal sex Unprotected oral sex Disclosure of HIV status HIV testing Number of sexual partners
2.	How have things changed over the last 2-3 years and what are realistic expectations in the current era?
3.	What norms do we want to promote? What needs to change in the messages we are giving?
4.	What negative messages do we want to avoid?
5.	What positive messages do we want to give?
6.	Who needs to be involved in promoting these norms?
7.	How do we pull the community together to promote these norms?
8.	What should the role of the media be? How important is the media?
9.	What media venues and strategies will be most effective?
10.	What additional information is needed to effect change?
11.	Three specific recommendations from our group are...

Group C - Rethinking STD/HIV Clinical Services

The purpose of this small group is to discuss issues related to STD screening, testing, and treatment, HIV counseling and testing, and partner management services.

Facilitator: Chris Spitters

Focus Questions:

1.	How are GBTM feeling about STD/HIV services in general? What specific issues are you aware of?
2.	Do GBTM face barriers to accessing these services? What kinds?
3.	What can we do to attract men to our services?
4.	Do we need different sites where GBTM can get HIV and STD testing? If so, where might we locate services?
5.	Should current services be repackaged? (example: should CBOs deliver more clinical services vs. PH)?
6.	How are GBTM feeling about partner notification services?
7.	Should we look at new PN service delivery models (e.g., CBOs doing PN; Oasis model)? Would an Oasis model work here?
8.	What additional information is needed to effect change?
9.	Three specific recommendations from our group are...

Group D - Bathhouses and Other Public Sex Venues

Data suggest that high levels of risk behaviors occur in bathhouses and public sex venues, and that perhaps a quarter of STDs occur in such settings. Both HIV positive and negative GBTM visit these places. Some evidence suggests that brighter lighting and fewer doors may reduce the risk level of the sex that occurs. Bathhouses can serve as outreach and clinical field sites. In SF, community volunteers actually inspect baths to assure the use of condoms for anal sex, requiring brighter lighting and the ability to look into rooms. How do we want to see bathhouses and PSVs help to combat these epidemics?

Facilitator: Robert Marks

Focus Questions:

1.	What have you noticed/heard about bathhouses and PSVs, and HIV/STD prevention issues?
2.	What would happen if bathhouses made space available for prevention workers to provide outreach, clinical services, or both? What services could be offered?
3.	What would happen if baths and PSVs routinely made condoms and lube freely available?
4.	What would make the provision of services in these venues most effective (e.g. hours, incentives, staffing)?
5.	How can the partnership between owners and managers, Public Health and community leaders be strengthened? Is the current coalition representation adequate?
6.	What kinds of environmental changes would we suggest?
7.	What kinds of policy changes should be considered?
8.	What recommendations can be made about parks and video arcades?
9.	What additional information is needed to effect change?
10.	Three specific recommendations from our group are...

Group E - Effective Resource Development:
Creating and Sustaining Collaborations That Work

The purpose of this small group is to discuss ways to increase (or stabilize) resources for HIV & STD prevention for GBTM, and to enhance collaborations among institutions in the gay community. We have seen a slow but steady decrease in resources (in real dollars) over the past several years (both public and private dollars).

Facilitator: Jack Jourden

Focus Questions:

1.	What are your current perceptions of funding needs for HIV and STD prevention?
2.	How do we make HIV and STD a compelling issue for funders?
3.	How do we work most effectively with potential funders - public (including City & County Councils, State DOH and Federal) and private? What specific links do we need to develop?
4.	What kinds of coalitions should be developed?
5.	How do we enhance collaborations with marginalized and newly impacted communities?
6.	What fundraising strategies should be in place?
7.	In lieu of new resources, how can organizations work together more effectively?
8.	What specific actions can be put in place in the next 6 months?
9.	What additional information is needed to effect change?
10.	Three specific recommendations from our group are...