News

July 2010

Gay and bisexual men's sex survey 2010

Sigma Research has just launched EMIS - the European gay and bisexual men's sex survey which incorporates the UKs Gay Men's Sex Survey also known as Vital Statistics. The survey will be available to complete in 25 languages, until 31st August 2010.

The overall funding for EMIS comes from the European Commission. With a target sample of at least 60,000 gay men and bisexual men EMIS will be the largest survey of this population ever undertaken anywhere in the world. Researchers and gay and HIV organisations from 31 European countries are working together to ensure EMIS is a success.

The questionnaire is about sex, health and relationships. It is anonymous, safe, and relatively short (it takes about 15-25 minutes to complete). Taking part might mean you find out something new and the information you provide will help health promoters to better meet the needs of gay men and bisexual men. A high response rate will also help us send a signal to governments that HIV and sexual health are still very important.

In the UK, EMIS is part-funded by Terrence Higgins Trust on behalf of CHAPS. CHAPS is the national HIV prevention programme funded by the English Department of Health. In the UK many of the CHAPS partners and more than 50 of the largest and most important gay and HIV organisations are working with Sigma Research to promote the survey.

We have no influence on the results of the survey – but you would do by taking part. We believe it will help gay and bisexual men across Europe to improve their sex lives and reduce the harm that can come from them, including reducing new HIV infections. As soon as the results are available, we will let you know.

The survey has now closed.