Training & development

OUT offers exciting training to mainstream service providers. The aim of the training is to sensitise service providers to sexuality and sexual orientation issues and to equip them with expert knowledge in rendering services to LGBTI clients. Usually trainings are followed by on-going mentoring to ensure that service providers are able to provide appropriate services in an on-going manner.

Current trainings focus on health care workers including the North West province, the City of Johannesburg and City of Tshwane. These trainings are over two days where day one is general sensitisation and day two focuses on doctors and nurses and providing appropriate medical care to Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).

A standalone one day session, focusing on general sensitisation, can be offered to any mainstream service providers such as the Police or criminal justice personnel. The training is offered by highly skilled trainers, nurses and doctors.

Advocacy

OUT has been involved in advocacy since 2006. Past efforts include same-sex marriage, victim empowerment and hate crimes, and the Sexual Offenses Act.

Current advocacy work focuses on HIV and hate crime work. OUT has played a major role in securing a LGBT Sector within the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). OUT represents issues within the SANAC High Plenary, Programme Implementation Committee, the Women's Sector and the Research and Monitoring Task Team.

OUT has also played an active role in proposing a national programme to reach the MSM related targets in the current National Strategic Plan and to ensure inclusion of targets in the NSP for 2012 and beyond.

OUT participates in the Hate Crime Working Group and its efforts to include hate crimes within legislation and to acknowledge sexual orientation as a basis of vulnerability.

OUT participates in the activities of the Joint Working Group and its efforts to promote the interest of LGBT community groups in South Africa.

OUT is a member of the African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR) and plays an active role to promote the interest of MSM in the continent. AMSHER is also very active in addressing HIV issues including programming in this area.