Gay Health Network

Today, on Irish AIDS Day, we remember those we have lost, honour those who fought for care, dignity and equality, and stand in solidarity with everyone living with HIV.

Over the past four decades, extraordinary progress has transformed HIV into a manageable long-term condition for those with access to treatment. People living with HIV who are on effective treatment can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass HIV on to their s*xual partners (U=U).

Yet stigma, misinformation and late diagnosis remain challenges in Ireland and around the world.

Irish AIDS Day is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, recognise the contribution of activists, healthcare workers, researchers and community organisations, and recommit ourselves to a future free from HIV stigma.

If you're s*xually active, know your HIV status, test regularly, and learn about prevention options including PrEP, PEP and condoms.

Remembering the past. Supporting each other today. Building a healthier future for all.

Gay Health Forum Call for Submission 2026

The Gay Health Forum invites submissions for presentations at the annual Forum - we accept submissions from any area in LGBTQIA+ health but are particularly interested in LGBTQIA+ s*xual health.

The format for presentations will be a mix of formal (10 minute) presentations, posters and panel discussions.

We welcome submissions involving original research, community activism, community programmes and healthcare initiatives.

If you are interested in presenting, please send us an abstract of no more than 200 words telling us about your presentation, the presenter/s and what format it would take (poster or formal presentation), by emailing [email protected] by 31 July 2026.

If you have an idea for a presentation, but not sure what form it would take or would like help developing it, contact us by 30 June 2026.

For all enquiries please email [email protected]

This weekend, we’re proud to support the Q***r Spectrum Film Festival at the Irish Film Institute.

Running from. this Friday 12–14 June, Q***r Spectrum is Ireland’s first film festival dedicated to LGBTQIA+ people of colour and migrant voices, bringing together powerful stories of identity, migration, community, resilience, love, and belonging from around the world.
Film has the power to help us see each other more clearly.

If you're looking for something inspiring, thought-provoking, and moving this weekend, check out the programme and support this important festival.

Find out more and book tickets at the IFI.ie or QAPI.ie

***rSpectrum ***rCinema

Today, the Gay Health Network (GHN) is proud to publish a Statement of Support for Kindred Clinic Cork, a new peer-led trans health initiative working to address longstanding gaps in healthcare access for trans people in Ireland.

For many years, trans people have faced significant barriers to accessing timely, appropriate, and evidence-based healthcare. Long waiting lists, limited service capacity, and complex pathways to care have left too many people without the support they need.

Earlier this year, GHN highlighted these concerns in our presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, calling for accessible, person-centred models of care that respect dignity, autonomy, and human rights.

We welcome Kindred Clinic Cork's commitment to informed consent, community involvement, harm reduction, and gender-affirming care. We believe initiatives such as this can play an important role in improving health outcomes and helping to inform the future development of trans healthcare in Ireland.

We congratulate everyone involved in bringing this important service to fruition and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the lives and wellbeing of trans people in Cork and beyond.

📅 SAVE THE DATE | GHF26 – Annual Gay Health Forum 2026

We are delighted to share that the annual Gay Health Forum (GHF26), taking place on Friday 2 October 2026 in Dublin.

The Gay Health Forum brings together community organisations, healthcare professionals, policy makers, researchers, advocates, and community members to explore key issues relating to the health and wellbeing of gay, bis*xual and other men who have s*x with men (gbMSM), and wider LGBTQIA+ communities in Ireland.

This year’s Forum will once again provide a space for discussion, learning, collaboration, and sharing emerging developments in s*xual health, wellbeing, prevention, policy, and community responses.

📍 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
16–22 Green Street, Rotunda, Dublin 7, D07 CR20

🗓 Friday 2 October 2026

🕘 9.00am – 4.45pm

Please save the date. More details, speakers and registration information will follow.

Today, on HPV Awareness Day (4 March), GHN is proud to mark the launch of HPV Network Ireland – a new collaboration bringing together health, cancer, community and clinical organisations with a shared goal: improving awareness of HPV and helping to prevent HPV related cancers.

HPV is a very common virus, yet many people are unaware that it is linked to six different cancers affecting both women and men, including cervical cancer and cancers of the throat, mouth, a**s, p***s, va**na and v***a. Every year in Ireland, hundreds of people are diagnosed with HPV associated cancers, many of which are preventable.

While Ireland has made important progress in cervical cancer prevention, most other HPV related cancers have no routine screening, making prevention, early awareness and vaccination especially critical.

At the same time, HPV vaccination rates have fallen in recent years, highlighting the need for clear, trusted and evidence based information.

HPV Network Ireland has been formed in response to these challenges, to counter misinformation, strengthen public trust, and work collaboratively to support cancer prevention.

By sharing the facts and working together, we can help protect progress and reduce the future burden of HPV related disease.

GHN is proud to be founding members of the newly formed HPV Network Ireland, launched on HPV Awareness Day (4 March).

By working together, we aim to raise awareness of HPV, counter misinformation and support efforts to prevent HPV related cancers affecting women and men.

***Deadline Today***

🎥 CALL FOR FILMMAKERS: €8,500 COMMISSION 🎥

Gay Health Network is looking for a creative partner to produce a new short documentary: "Life at the Intersections."

Supported by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, this film will explore the lived experiences of multiply marginalised LGBTQIA+ people in Ireland.

We want to hear from filmmakers who can bring intersectionality to life through moving, honest, and innovative storytelling.

THE DETAILS: ✨ Theme: Intersectional marginalisation & authentic voices. ✨ Length: 10–15 minutes. ✨ Budget: €8,500 (all-inclusive). ✨ Goal: Film festivals, RTÉ Player, and educational workshops.

Whether you use traditional documentary style, animation, or experimental visuals—we want to see your vision.

📅 DEADLINE: 6 February 2026 📩 APPLY: [email protected]

🔗 FULL TENDER INFO: Click the link in our bio or visit gayhealthnetwork.ie/lifeattheintersections/

🎥 CALL FOR FILMMAKERS: €8,500 COMMISSION 🎥

Gay Health Network is looking for a creative partner to produce a new short documentary: "Life at the Intersections."

Supported by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, this film will explore the lived experiences of multiply marginalised LGBTQIA+ people in Ireland.

We want to hear from filmmakers who can bring intersectionality to life through moving, honest, and innovative storytelling.

THE DETAILS: ✨ Theme: Intersectional marginalisation & authentic voices. ✨ Length: 10–15 minutes. ✨ Budget: €8,500 (all-inclusive). ✨ Goal: Film festivals, RTÉ Player, and educational workshops.

Whether you use traditional documentary style, animation, or experimental visuals—we want to see your vision.

📅 DEADLINE: 6 February 2026 📩 APPLY: [email protected]

🔗 FULL TENDER INFO: Click the link in our bio or visit gayhealthnetwork.ie/lifeattheintersections/

Wishing you a wonderful festive season.

A s*xual health check is not just for the holidays. It's for life.

Keep the spirit of self care going all year round. Stay informed, stay safe, and get tested regularly.

👉 Swipe for key s*xual health messages and resources. Find more at man2man.ie