Condom Cult - Page 4

“It begins with assessment, with listening to people and finding out what their needs are,” says Trevor Donovan, Project Coordinator for CHAMPS. A dynamic, outgoing personality comfortable leaning into a microphone and spinning tunes in the DJ booth, Donovan makes sure the program stays active and fun for its members. “Last year we had over 300 people out here for the first Big Gay Beach Day,” he says. This year, rain swept across Folly Beach the day of the event. Diehard core members gathered nonetheless and waited out the deluge under a small canopy set up near the dunes.

“We give people a chance to meet one another. That’s essential.” Several men in the group consider the friends they’ve met through Mpowerment to be an extended family that lends strength and support. The power of peer influence is recognized and utilized to help establish safer sex as more of a community norm.

“This is important,” Bob says, finding a moment to sit down and rest as more and more people walk into the bar. Beer bottles and rocks glasses clink and the karaoke lingers in the background. “I’m just glad I can be a part of it.”

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