MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights was founded in 2006 as The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) by an international group of activists who were concerned about the disproportionate HIV burden being shouldered by gay and bisexual men. They have since changed their name to reflect their desire for greater impact within the broader sexual health and human rights agendas for all men who have sex with men.

Stigma, discrimination, and violence are leading barriers to the health of their communities, especially in countries that criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people. This has been historically true, however community-led services have remained under-valued and underfunded everywhere in the world. Additionally, space for the meaningful involvement of civil society is shrinking.

Their innovative strategy for advocacy is based on their belief in the power of connection. We believe that their impact is greatest when they can connect grassroots activists to global funders, connect healthcare providers with the populations who need their services most, and connect members of their community from every corner of the world to each other.

They work to bring global attention to local concerns. MPact is directly linked to more than 120 community-based organizations in 62 countries around the world and thousands of activists online who are fighting for gay men’s health and rights. Through policy monitoring, funding, and programmatic support, they can empower LGBT-led community groups in countries where being openly gay could very literally cost someone their life.