Young Men's Program Turns 21

Local News, By Joal, 21st October, 2009

21 is relatively young, but for ACON’s young men’s program, Fun & Esteem, it’s an exciting coming of age.

With over 10,000 young male participants in 21 years, you would be hard pressed not to know someone who has taken part in one of ACON’s programs for young men – Start Making Sense, Mates and Date or Adult Themes.

James Gray, ACON’s Youth Peer Education Officer, says evidence of the program’s popularity is word of mouth. “The way most people find out about us is from former participants who have recommended the program to their friends, which really demonstrates how much the guys get from going through the program,” says James.

ACON CEO, Nicolas Parkihill agrees. “It constantly surprises me how many people in our community tell me they went through the Fun & Esteem program and how much it meant to them,” says Parkhill. The key to the success of the program in fighting HIV/AIDs has been community and peer education, adds Parkhill. “Every one of the 10,000 men who have been educated about HIV prevention have gone on to become HIV educators themselves by sharing their knowledge with friends and practicing safe sex,” says Parkhill.

And it’s not just about HIV education, “I think for many young men, it’s a chance to meet other guys in a relaxed environment,” says James Gray, “and it has acted as a way for them to learn about the gay community and shown them different ways they can become more involved.”

“I went to a Fun & Esteem course back when I was 19, so 14 years ago,” says Matthew, a past participant of the programs. “It was my first step to coming out! I went to Fun & Esteem all the way from Ingleburn. I remember catching the train in my new white fluffy jacket (very gay looking back then) and hoping that I would meet another gay person! Well I did I met my first boyfriend (not my last) and a group of people that made me feel no longer alone! It is a memory I will cherish forever!”

It’s been a long 21 years that ACON sees fit to celebrate. Past, present and future participants of Fun & Esteem are invited to celebrate the project’s 21st anniversary at a free event at Slide Nightclub, Thursday October 29 from 7pm.

“The fact remains that 21 years on there’s still a great need for programs like Fun & Esteem because HIV is still with us. But also because young gay men still face a range of unique health issues,” says Parkhill. “For these reasons I’d like to encourage young gay men to get involved with the project so they can improve their own as well as our community’s health and wellbeing.”

ACON’s Young Men’s Project runs 10 to 12 groups a year. Anyone who is interested in joining one of the groups, or would like some more information, can contact the project by email youth@acon.org.au or go onto the ACON website to register online.