Gay, queer, taboo - scroll until IWWIT arrives! To mark the start of LGBT Health Awareness Week 2026, the German AIDS Service Organisation's prevention campaign is going on TikTok. The aim: to empower young queers with information on queer health.
Talking openly, directly and without taboos about gay sex, queer life and physical and mental health - that's what IWWIT (I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING) has stood for for over 17 years. Now the campaign is expanding its digital presence to include the TikTok platform.
„Just in time for the theme week, we're bringing sexy health content to TikTok!“ says Jonathan Gregory, Head of IWWIT. „We go where our target groups are! For young queers, that's currently TikTok. Like everywhere else, there are still prejudices and misinformation about HIV and sexually transmitted infections. We want to clear this up, empower young queers to talk about their health and make the right decision for themselves.“
Visibility despite digital hurdles
Education about sexuality and queer life is increasingly facing challenges on social media platforms: Content on sexual health, nudity or queer topics is more frequently restricted on many platforms, even if it serves prevention and education - such as the Temporary deletion of the IWWIT YouTube channel for Pride Month 2025.
For IWWIT, this means continuing to make important information accessible in a creative way. After all, young queer people in particular often find out about sexuality, health and identity online first.
„Despite all the obstacles, the same applies to us on TikTok: We have come to stay!“ emphasises Jonathan Gregory.
Discrimination makes you ill
Every year in the last week of March, LGBT Health Awareness Week reminds us that experiences of discrimination, stigmatisation or minority stress increase the risk of physical and mental illness in queer people.
„People who are discriminated against or fear marginalisation often find it more difficult to access healthcare services or talk openly about topics such as sexuality or HIV,“ says Jonathan Gregory. „That's why we not only look at individual behaviour, but also at the realities of life and social conditions that influence health and want to improve them.“
IWWIT: There for you online and offline!
In addition to the new TikTok channel, IWWIT is still active on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. On the website iwwit.de the campaign provides comprehensive information about HIV, safer sex, testing, protection options and physical and mental health in queer life.
IWWIT also maintains an offline presence: the campaign is regularly represented at queer community events - at Christopher Street Days, street festivals and community events throughout Germany.
