Gay and Bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are actively engaging with online apps, tools, and websites for social and sexual connections as well as to obtain information about health and wellness. The HIV/STI prevention landscape has changed dramatically with the advent of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and the notion of being non-infectious if one is on successful treatment (Undetectable = Untransmittable, “U=U). The CRUISElab (cruiselab.ca) is an interdisciplinary, community-engaged social work research lab focused on the health and wellness of GBM.

 

In our work, we have been seeking answers to these and other questions: What health and wellness information do GBM seek online? Do they want in in their hook up apps? Is online sexual health outreach a useful tool? The findings of some preliminary analyses from the Cruising Counts and #iCruise studies will be presented. Both studies sought to examine how GBM use the internet and apps for health information.

 

Brennan is a scholar who focuses on community-based research that examines issues related to the sexual health of LGBT populations, particularly gay and bisexual men. He has examined how early life bullying and violence create ongoing risks for sexual minorities and the ways in which intertwining epidemics known as syndemics, create increased risk for social, physical, mental, sexual health problems. Brennan's work includes examining how gay and bisexual men use online apps for socio-sexual connections as well as for health education and service access. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and community reports in his areas of interest and research expertise.