Gscene News Archive

GMFA the gay men’s health charity, are the first gay charity in the UK to receive the HONcode (Health On The Net Code) accreditation. This is awarded to the increasingly popular group of health information websites at www.gmfa.org.uk and is validation of their adherence to the ethical and quality HONcode. Its Sex & Sexual Health site alone saw traffic double in the past year, reaching over 60,000 visitors between April and June 2009.

GMFA launched its Sex & Sexual Health website in December 2006 in response to the lack of online information specifically targeting gay men. The site was one of the first to provide frank and comprehensive sexual health information for gay men, containing up-to-date and friendly advice on topics such as the HIV risks of oral sex, PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis), HIV testing, and techniques for better sex.

Matthew Hodson of GMFA said:
“Gay men are more likely to turn to the web for safer sex information than any other source. We work to provide the services that the gay community wants and needs and it is important that we can deliver relevant and credible sexual health information online. The HONcode exists to help people tell which websites they can trust to give them reliable information about their health so this is an important endorsement for us and for gay men.”

In addition to the main sexual health site, GMFA also provides detailed listings of sexual health services for gay men in London, specific advice for HIV positive gay men and a guide to gay sports and social groups in London.

The HONcode was created by the HON Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that is internationally known for its pioneering work in the field of health information ethics, notably for the establishment of its code of ethical conduct, the HONcode. The code is the oldest and most used ethical and trustworthy code for medical and health related information available on the internet.

Matthew adds:
“Gay men are at the heart of what we do. Like all of our work, our websites draw upon our 17 years’ experience of delivering gay men’s work. We created the sites with our volunteers, most of them gay men, which I believe is what makes them so relevant, accessible and honest.”

For more information on GMFA view:
www.gmfa.org.uk

and on the HON Foundation:
www.HealthOnNet.org