Finally of age and ready for more! On 13 October, Deutsche Aidshilfe’s prevention campaign, IWWIT (ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU), will celebrate its 18th anniversary. A period full of passion, knowledge and change – and, above all, a prevention approach that is constantly reinventing itself.
From the community, for the community
In 2008, IWWIT was launched as a campaign specifically aimed at gay and bisexual men. The approach was deliberately different: rather than talking about the community, gay, bisexual and HIV-positive men spoke for themselves – in the very places where sexuality is lived out, and even – something that was by no means a given at the time – in a highly visible and vibrant way on the internet!
The aim: to provide information and personal stories from the community, for the community, about HIV, sexually transmitted infections and safer sex – in language that is easy to understand, enjoyable and doesn’t lecture anyone.
IWWIT has grown!
What began back then as a campaign for gay and bisexual men has, over the course of 18 years, grown into a wide-ranging range of prevention services for gay, bi, trans and other men who have sex with men, as well as non-binary people.
„18 years of IWWIT also means 18 years of prevention that evolves alongside the community. We’ll continue to talk about sex, desire and health – openly, confidently and without taboos. At the same time, we know that lifestyles and sexuality are constantly changing, and so IWWIT also wants to keep breaking new ground. We want to be present in more places, both online and offline, and reach out to more identities and more generations,“ says Jonathan Gregory, Head of IWWIT.
Congratulations from the community
To mark its 18th birthday, IWWIT receives messages from the community: several influencers, including Darkviktory, Kostas Kind, frosty, Nico Abrell, 321maxx and Kelly Heelton, have posted birthday videos to congratulate the campaign on coming of age in their own unique ways.
The birthday messages show what has made IWWIT special for the past 18 years: the campaign doesn’t just talk about the community, it gives the community a voice of its own. Whether through humour, personal messages or a touch of playfulness – the birthday videos clearly show just how diverse the people are who support and help shape IWWIT. And one thing is clear: turning 18 is by no means the end of the story!
It has always been the case that more than just condoms
Over the past 18 years, safer sex has changed: in addition to condoms, other ways of preventing HIV transmission have become available – such as PrEP and protection through treatment. Prevention has therefore become more diverse, allowing greater scope for individual choices.
At the same time, for IWWIT, sexual health has always been about more than just how to protect oneself from HIV or other infections. It is also about knowing one’s own desires and boundaries, enjoying sexual pleasure, communicating with one another, and making individual, self-determined decisions.
That is why topics such as dating, relationships, coming out, consent, mental wellbeing and substance use are also considered part of prevention at IWWIT.
Against prejudice, fFor more space
Sexual health requires more than just medical information. Prejudice, stigma and discrimination can influence whether people talk openly about their sexuality, make use of medical services or seek support.
That is why, for IWWIT, prevention also means standing up against exclusion. For sexuality without shame. For diverse bodies, identities and ways of life. For pleasure without the pressure to justify oneself.
„In the face of growing hostility towards our diverse communities, prevention by the community, for the community, remains so important. It must be closely tied to people’s everyday lives, address current issues and take place where people are out and about. “Here at IWWIT, as we turn 18, we want not less but more of everything: more visibility, more knowledge, more participation and more prevention that reaches the diversity of our communities,’ said Gregory.”.
18 years of IWWIT – and still going strong
In short: at 18, IWWIT is really coming into its own. Coming of age also marks a new beginning: what started as a campaign for gay and bisexual men has evolved into a diverse range of prevention services.
„Our 18 years of experience have inspired us to be even bolder, even more passionate, even louder and more visible in the future. Or, to put it simply: IWWIT is now 18 and raring for more!“ said Gregory.
All the infos to IWWIT at: iwwit.de
