j u ly 2 0 0 9 T H E S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N J O U R N A L O F H I V M E D I C I N E Over 35 participants from four African nations, the USA, the UK and the European Union – 21 of whom gave oral presentations – were brought together for this satellite conference, the first such to accompa- ny the South African AIDS Conference. This execu- tive summary reviews the conference proceedings in each of the following categories: New MSM Research and Challenges, Current LGBT Programmes Overview and Needs Assessment, and Developing Advocacy and Funding Strategies. Current research outputs underscored what we know to be a very difficult situation. Among men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa, Kenya and Malawi there are documented high-risk sexual behaviours; limited access to water-based lubricants; low knowledge of HIV; fatalistic views of HIV, sick- ness, and death; barriers to accessing care, HIV test- ing, antiretrovirals (ARVs) and support; vulnerability to homoprejudice and sexual violence; a lack of general security; and the most vulnerable being least connected to resourced gay communities.1-5 Research challenges included developing standardised protocol definitions to produce comparable data outputs across sites, ob- taining and verifying more representative samples, re- cruitment of high-risk MSM to research studies and delivery services, identifying and accessing bisexual men, and mapping the crossover of disparate hetero- and homosexual HIV epidemics.6-11 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advo- cates, service providers and support organizations out- lined plans to mainstream LGBT-sensitive and specific health care into general health systems, with sex-posi- tive and holistic care packages.12-14 There was a call to better understand MSM populations; create an LGBT sexual health training manual for clinicians; recognise the role of religion in sexual-identity formation; and address the almost complete lack of current bi- and trans-specific research and programming.12-19 Under- scored was the need for more and better resourced LGBT safe-spaces, and action against sexual violence targeting LGBT folk.12,13,16 Outside of South Africa, the paramount issue was an urgent need to de-criminalise homosexuality.1,4,11,15,19 Advocacy tools and funding strategies require the an- ticipation of research outcomes and the preparation of targeted advocacy packages for specific audiences, such as government and religious leaders.20,21 Data outputs should be used more effectively to leverage secure funds for continued and better research.22,23 Advocacy ‘cham- pions’ within the LGBT community need to be identified and groomed to liaise with donors in meeting fund- ing goals.20,24 Especially in this time of global financial downturn, the focus must be on value for money, pri- oritising quality research projects and evidence-based interventions, while adopting flexible programme devel- opment and step-wise approaches to roll-out.20,22-24 Throughout the satellite, researchers and advocates alike expressed a need for more open dialogue in order to develop a single framework with which to approach shared goals. There is a need to work collectively to- wards security for African LGBT people, engaging all levels of government in discourse around negative- rights legislation, while also holding them accountable. More streamlined approaches to research and service delivery must be developed, delegating responsibilities to those best suited to the task. And lastly, programme expansion must be informed by sound scientific re- search and guided by rigorous monitoring and evalua- tion, an ideal opportunity for LGBT research-advocate partnership. REFERENCES 1. Dhaliwal M. MSM in Southern Africa … intersections of policy, human rights, and public health. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 2. Rispel L. The Johannesburg/eThekwini Men’s Study (JEMS): Lessons learnt and future pointers. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 3. Dladla S. RDS prevalence study in Soweto, South Africa. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 4. Sanders E. High-incidence cohort in Kilifi, Kenya. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 5. Burrell E. New HIV prevention research: The Cape Town PrEP Studies. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 6. Nel J. Levels of empowerment and emerging LGBT communities in South Africa. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 7. Reddy V. Is AIDS a death sentence? Preliminary outcomes of a survey among Tshwane’s MSM. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. SA AIDS 2009 MSM SATELLITE CONFERENCE, research and advocacy: sharing the strength, Bridging the gap 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban C o N F E R E N C E R E p o R t E Burrell, MPH Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Cape Town 48 T H E S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N J O U R N A L O F H I V M E D I C I N E J u ly 2 0 0 9 8. Struthers H. Diversity, definitions, and directions. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 9. Burrell E. Recruiting high-risk MSM for a HIV prevention clinical trial in Cape Town, South Africa. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 10. Metcalf C. ‘Eish, but the whites are scarce!’: JEMS research challenges. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 11. Muhaari A. Experiences of working with MSM in Mombassa. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 12. Nel D. Service delivery to vulnerable groups. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 13. Valentine M. Multidimensional approach to MSM sex and its impact on risk behaviour. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 14. Rebe K. Health4Men: A clinical service for MSM in Cape Town. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 15. Trapence G. An overview of MSM programs in Malawi. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 16. Mkhize N. Drop-in LGBT centre in Durban. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 17. Hendricks P. HIV and Muslim MSM. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 18. Bowley C. An assessment of male to female transgender person’s needs who are MSM in South Africa. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 19. Chibwezo W. Sexual reproductive health and MSM in Malawi. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 20. Avertt S. Integrating research outcomes into advocacy (agitating for a better world). SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 21. Swartz I. Research as advocacy tool: making the evidence work for us. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 22. Mah T. Resources for HIV prevention for MSM. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 23. Seale A. Resources, tools, and strategic considerations for funding strategies for MSM and LGBTI programmes and services. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 24. Avertt S. Negotiate safely with your funders: Three observations. SA AIDS 2009 MSM Satellite Conference, 30 - 31 March 2009, Durban. 49