Viiv Healthcare Announces 21 Grants to Help MSM and Trans Communities

Viiv Healthcare will be giving 21 small grants to support men who have sex with men and transgender communities around the world through it’s Positive Action program, which is now working in 51 countries. 

This round of grants is the second over two years given to non-governmental and community based organizations. According to a statement, this would be the first time Positive Action chose to focus on projects “created, designed and implemented by either MSM or transgender people in leadership positions to support their peers through community programs.” 

Currently, prevalence rates among MSM and transgender communities are higher than other populations, yet less than one in 10 MSM and trans people has access to prevention. As Plus previously reported, while MSM make up 2 percent of the population, they account for 55 percent of all Americans living with HIV. 

“This gives a unique opportunity to these groups: to enhance their work, to strengthen their capacities, and to reach out to more people in their work,” said Juan Jacobo Hernandez, chairman of the Positive Action MSM and Transgender Program Advisory Board. “Providing key funding to these key populations will definitely help shape a different response to HIV and AIDS worldwide.”

Each grant was given to 21 seperate programs — 14 were MSM-led and seven were transgender-led. They were selected based on three outcomes: Reducing the level and impact of stigma experienced by MSM and transgender individuals; Increasing access to culturally-competent health-related services; and enhancing the capacity of community-based organizations that engage MSM and transgender communities in reducing HIV.

To learn more about Positive Action and how to apply, click HERE.