The Gay Men’s Health Service was established in 1992 and is part of the statutory health services in the Republic of Ireland. The Rainbow Project, which was established in 1993, is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Northern Ireland. The work programmes of both the GMHS and The Rainbow Project are based on needs identified through
our work with clients, as well as through our involvement with GHN, other networks and groups. In addition, our work also draws upon international HIV prevention and sexual health promotion programmes for gay and bisexual men.

As part of our commitment to research-based programmes, we carried out additional All-Ireland Gay Men’s Sex Surveys in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The primary aims of these surveys were to:
• Identify some of the sexual health and HIV prevention needs of gay and bisexual men;
• Continue to provide an insight into a community that sexual health providers are targeting;
• Generate data that can be used to inform future interventions and services.