M-BALL (Motivating Brothers & Advocating Love & Life)
Hetrick Martin Institute & The MPowerment Project present M-BALL (MPowering Brothers & Advocating Love & Life)
The project is run by a “Core Group” of 10-12 young gay and bis*xual men who, with volunteers, design and carry out all project activities. The MPowerment Project has proven to be effective in reducing high risk s*x.
The MPowerment Project is a community-level HIV prevention intervention for young gay and bis*xual men that has been adapted by HMI for MSM ages 14-24 within the ballroom scene and named M-BALL (MPowering Brothers & Advocating Love & Life). The program seeks to build a strong supportive young gay and bis*xual men’s community where young gay and bis*xual men nurture and protect each other, particularly with regard to HIV prevention. The program’s theoretical framework draws from the areas of diffusion of innovations, community organizing, peer influence, and personal empowerment. The MPowerment Project promotes a norm of safer s*x through a variety of social, outreach and small group activities.
