A new sexual health campaign featuring black same-sex couples is hitting the streets across London.
The 'Me. Him. Us.' campaign, funded by gay men's health organisation GMFA, was developed by members of the community and shows black and minority ethnic (BAME) same-sex couples holding hands and posing affectionately.
Ian Howley, Chief Executive of Health Equality and Rights Organisation (HERO) said: “Over the last few years, HERO has been working close with the BAME LGBT+ community."
He continued: “One of the issues that kept on coming up was the lack of representation, especially in mass media health promotion campaigns."
A poster from the Me. Him. Us campaign. Source: GMFA and HERO
“What people see is completely developed by BAME gay and bisexual men for BAME gay and bisexual men. From the concept, to the models, to the design, all parts of this campaign came from a grass roots level.”
Marc Thompson, Co-Editor of BlackoutUK and campaign adviser to Me. Him. Us, added: “Most health professionals don’t like to admit it, but reflecting diverse audiences can be challenging for them.
“It’s difficult, especially if you don’t come from those communities or understand how to reach us effectively. The lack of visibility of men from black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities in sexual health promotion has been well documented as having an impact on BAME men’s sexual health and risk taking, which ultimately plays a role in the disproportionate rates of HIV infection in this population.
“This is why the Me. Him. Us. campaign is so important. It was created by BAME gay and bisexual men for BAME gay and bisexual men. This campaign speaks to us."
Source: GMFA and HERO
