Berlin, 13 October 2023
Today, ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU turns 15. We are proud, celebrating - and have big plans for the near future.
15 years ago, Deutsche Aidshilfe set an internationally ground-breaking example with ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU: It was not simply about condom advertising, but the campaign with authentic "role models" from real gay life for a self-determined and fulfilled gay life in.
On the occasion of the anniversary Jonathan Gregory, Director of ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU:
"15 years of IWWIT means 15 years of fighting for emancipation and a fulfilled gay life. Prevention and activism go hand in hand. If we have to be afraid of attacks on the street, we take to the streets and demonstrate. We are loud and sometimes uncomfortable. Our campaign takes a holistic view of living conditions and health. We don't just want to protect against illness, we want us all to be well."
IWWIT stands for Acceptancedoes not want to patronise or dictate to anyone. Campaign manager Jonathan Gregory continues:
"Prevention means supporting people where they are - in exactly the life they choose. We know no taboos. We talk openly about group sex, porn addiction, the pleasures and risks of drug use, sex work and much more. We want to contribute to people being well informed and strong with pleasure and joy. So that in 15 years' time as many people as possible will be able to say: I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!"
Living a gay life with self-confidence
The aim of ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU was clear from the start: gay men should be well make informed and self-confident decisions about their (sex) life can and may.
We provide information on protection against HIV and sexually transmitted diseases and at the same time take a holistic approach to prevention and health. Because we know that: Only those who are self-confident and feel valued can live a healthy and happy life.
Mental well-being is therefore just as much a topic as dealing with discrimination. We also provide information and support on gay life issues such as coming out, chemsex and fetishes.
Yet everything has become increasingly diverse in recent years: Where once only the condom protected against HIV, today we have Safer Sex 3.0 with PrEP and protection through therapy.
With the community of which we are a part, we are also paying more and more attention to DiversityWhether gender or sexual identity, skin colour or body shape: we oppose exclusion and are there for all people in our community.
To current topics We were and are naturally at the forefront when it comes to issues such as Mpox, the flight of queer people from Ukraine or psychological injuries caused by right-wing populist forces: we react, inform, support and contradict.
Last but not least, more than 30 people in our volunteer campaign team for our presence in the community and for being there for everyone who needs us - on site in the scene and online. To mark our anniversary, we would like to say: thank you, thank you, thank you!
A look at iwwit.de and our social media channels shows the full diversity. But that's not all: We are working on a comprehensive relaunchwill soon reflect and celebrate the diversity of gay and queer life even more. So that IWWIT remains what it has been for 15 years: the contact point for all questions relating to gay health in the heart of the community.
IWWIT is funded by the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA). Since 2008, the campaign has been informing its target groups and encouraging communication about sexuality, safer sex and queer life.
