A new campaign and digital hub offering affirming, evidence-based sexual health information for gay, bi, queer, trans, Two-Spirit, and other men who have sex with men across Ontario.
For many people, coming out did not come with a roadmap.
The new GMSH campaign, If no one ever told you, we will (with love), responds to that reality with something many people never had: clear, affirming, community-rooted sexual health information delivered without shame, fear, or stigma.
Replacing fear with connection and trust
For many people, learning about sex, relationships, and HIV has historically been shaped by silence, stigma, or fear-based messaging. Without trusted guidance, many have had to piece together information on their own — often from unreliable sources or through experiences rooted in shame and misinformation.
The new GMSH campaign, If no one ever told you, we will (with love), was created in response to that gap. Through real stories and affirming messages, the campaign reflects the things many people wish someone had told them earlier: that sexual health can be navigated with confidence, that support exists, and that no one should have to figure things out alone.
“I came out at a time when a lot of what we heard about sex and HIV was rooted in fear,” said Gilles Charette, Director of GMSH. “Like many people, I didn’t have a place to go for clear, honest information. This campaign is about changing that. It’s about making sure people today have access to information that is accurate, affirming, and grounded in both science and lived experience. The kind of support many of us wish we had.”
The campaign centres care, connection, and community knowledge while recognizing the very real impact that stigma and misinformation continue to have on people’s health and well-being.
Sexual health information has changed, but stigma hasn’t.
Today, people have more tools and information available to support their sexual health than ever before. Advances in HIV prevention and treatment have transformed what is possible for individuals and communities.
Daily medications such as PrEP are highly effective at preventing HIV, and people living with HIV who are on treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus to sexual partners — a concept known as U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable).
But while science and healthcare have evolved, stigma and outdated beliefs still persist.
“Many people still carry fears about HIV that no longer reflect today’s reality,” Charette said. “Part of our work is helping people move from fear to understanding, and from shame to empowerment.”
The campaign aims to make conversations about sexual health more open, informed, and grounded in compassion rather than judgment.
This is a campaign rooted in community history.
The visual identity for If no one ever told you, we will (with love) draws inspiration from generations of queer community organizing, sexual health advocacy, and grassroots education.
The campaign artwork was designed and illustrated by Tim Singleton, whose work references community history, sexual health messaging, and the visual language of 1970s queer publications and public health campaigns. The result is a creative approach that feels both nostalgic and contemporary; connecting past struggles and resilience with the realities of today.
GMSH partnered with Art & Science on the development of the campaign and digital experience, helping bring the project to life across the website and campaign platforms.
Together, the campaign’s storytelling and visual design reflect GMSH’s commitment to creating resources that are community-informed, accessible, and grounded in lived experience.
A new digital hub for sexual health and community support
Alongside the campaign launch, GMSH has introduced a newly redesigned website at GMSH.ca, bringing together trusted sexual health information, prevention resources, and support services into one accessible platform.
The new site combines several existing GMSH initiatives and platforms into a single hub where visitors can explore information about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, testing options, prevention tools, substance use support, and community well-being.
The platform also includes features such as a service finder, accessibility and language translation tools, and interactive support resources designed to help people connect with care and information more easily.
The website highlights the work of nearly 30 Alliance member organizations across Ontario, recognizing the critical role community-based organizations play in promoting health, reducing stigma, and supporting people across the province.
Read more about the new GMSH.ca platform →
No one should have to navigate their health alone
At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful message: everyone deserves access to information and support that is accurate, affirming, and rooted in care.
Whether someone is looking for answers about HIV prevention, relationships, testing, substance use, or community support, GMSH hopes the campaign and new website help people feel less alone in navigating their health.
If no one ever told you, we will — with love. 😘
