Update: Vancouver queer resource centre Qmunity is closed to the public but will continue services through remote means. Qmunity has also appointed a new interim executive director. For more information, see this article. 

Original article: 

In the past, male queer health organizations had been primarily focused on the AIDS and HIV epidemic.

However, due to medical progress and concerted efforts, much progress has been made over the decades in this area.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, these organizations are now turning their attention to helping male communities address these issues. 

Two Vancouver-based health organizations for men who have sex with men (MSM) are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Metro Vancouver–based Health Initiative for Men announced today (March 18) that it is launching an online COVID-19 resource website for MSM.

The resource, made in consultation with local health authorities, will provide ongoing updates about HIM services as well as information about physical, mental, sexual, and social health during the pandemic.

HIM is reducing its clinical services at HIM Health Centres until further notice.

All HIM groups, programming, and community outreach are being suspended for a four-week period.

Counselling and coaching will continue remotely by video and phone.

All information is available at the HIM website.

Meanwhile, Vancouver-based national queer male health organization Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC), which runs the Sex Now Survey and the Summit conference for queer male health, stated that all staff will be working from home starting from today (March 18) until further notice.

CBRC will continue their work on ongoing projects and initiatives, including data analysis from the 2019 Sex Now online survey, policy education about the proposed federal ban on conversion therapy, and the development of new queer and trans cultural competency resources.

Updates will be provided at the CBRC website and social media.