Support Groups to Help Gay and Bisexual Men
Stay HIV-Negative
AHP’s REACH (Risk Evaluation and Counseling for Health) Program offers both drop-in and ongoing support groups to help gay and bisexual men stay uninfected.
Drop-In Groups take place every week, and participants can show up as often as they want—without registering or having an intake interview. REACH offers a drop-in group for HIV-negative or untested men and a Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol drop-in group (also known as the Reality Check Group), which is open to men regardless of whether they are HIV-positive, HIV-negative, or untested.
Ongoing Groups take place weekly, generally for 14 weeks. To register for a group, prospective members must be able to commit to attending all the sessions of the group. They must also complete a REACH “intake” assessment, an appointment with a REACH counselor where the member’s needs (and the possibilities of the REACH program meeting those needs) are discussed. Ongoing groups have closed membership; that is, no new members enter the group after its first week. These groups include: Man-to-Man groups, general support groups for HIV-negative men; and Sex and Sobriety groups, designed for HIV-positive or HIV-negative men who currently have at least three months of sobriety from alcohol and all drugs.
FAQ about REACH Support Groups
Groups for Gay and Bisexual Men Regardless of HIV Status
AHP offers prevention-focused support groups for gay and bisexual men regardless of HIV status. These groups focus primarily on substance abuse, sex, and intimacy. Two are offered by REACH; one is offered by AHP’s AIDS and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP).
Sex and Sobriety
Ongoing. Sex and Sobriety focuses on topics such as navigating sober sex and attaining emotional intimacy. For gay and bisexual men, regardless of whether they are HIV-positive, HIV-negative, or untested, with at least six months of current, continuous sobriety. For information call 415-476-3902.
Reality Check Drop-In Group
Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol
NEW DAY Starting February 2008
Tuesdays, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The Reality Check Drop-In Group is for gay and bisexual men—HIV-positive or HIV-negative—who are abstaining from their drug of choice or trying to do so. The group offers an opportunity for participants to create a sober sexuality, deal with HIV disclosure and safer sex, or learn how to handle loneliness and intimacy. The group is a non-judgmental space to talk about ways in which sex or relationships can trigger and affect drug use and influence overall well-being. To learn more, call 415-476-3902, or drop in.
Meditation Drop-In Group
Mondays, 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm. A drop-in group exploring the benefits of quiet meditation. Includes a brief explanation of meditation techniques and two
10-minute sessions of quiet meditation. Contact facilitator Bob Cameron at
415-502-7583, or drop in.
ASAP Drop-In Group
Thursdays , 10:30 am to 12:00 noon. The ASAP Drop-In Group is for people with substance use concerns, especially related to living with HIV or staying HIV-negative. Topics often include: strategies for harm reduction, maintaining physical health, and dealing with depression and other emotional issues. There is no needs-assessment interview or registration required. Please arrive five to ten minutes prior to group start time and check in at the front desk.
Groups for HIV-Negative and Untested Gay and Bisexual Men
REACH offers a variety of support groups for HIV-negative and untested gay men. These groups include a weekly drop-in group and Man-to-Man groups.
HIV-Negative Drop-In Group
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The HIV-Negative Drop-In Group offers a forum for gay and bisexual men to talk about safer sex, HIV testing, isolation, and other HIV-related issues. Drop in to the group or call 415-476-3902.
Man to Man: Groups for HIV-Negative Gay and Bisexual Men
Various Times. Man-to-Man groups, which run 14 weeks and occur on various nights, offer participants the chance to talk with other men about dating, sex, relationships, isolation, and other HIV-related issues. To learn more, call 415-476-3902.
