A2 paper poster depicting a black and whie image of two figures kissing, one wearing a builder's hat
Inscription
Build a future / tools of the trade, / condoms & lube / Gay Men Fighting Aids 0717386872 [GMFA logo]
Production date
1990s
Production place
england
Production organisations
GMFA
Associated organisations
Yorkshire MESMAC
Associated place
leeds
Labels
Gay Men Fighting AIDS (GMFA) was founded in 1992, and is now known as LGBT Hero. The organisation aimed to provide education around HIV/AIDS that was by gay men, for gay men. They devised innovative sexual health campaigns that were decidedly sex positive, often using titillating and humorous imagery to produce attention-grabbing posters. GMFA countered the scaremongering, often infantilising tone of government-led AIDS awareness advertising. They emphasised the importance of agency for gay men when navigating their sex lives. A quote from their website articulates this idea:
“Whilst GMFA did, naturally, want gay men to be healthy, the organisation was unique in that it recognised that, as adults, gay men had the right to make their own choices in life, and at times, might choose to do things which may not be good for their health.”
This sentiment was very ahead of its time. GMFA reconceptualised AIDS as a real risk that nonetheless should not be controlled by policing the sexual activities of a marginalised group.
According to the Wellcome Collection, who have an original lithograph print of this poster, it was produced between 1990-1999 by GMFA, with the image by Hywel Williams. It uses cheeky references to erotica and camp humour to produce an arresting, accessible message. Note how this poster lists lube as one of the ‘tools of the trade’ in a double entendre referencing the term ‘trade’, which is gay slang for attractive men who are potential sexual partners. Lubrication, primarily needed for comfort and pleasure, is seen to be just as important as condom use.
Amy Kitchingman, Hidden Histories MA Project Researcher
This poster was collected from the Leeds branch of Yorkshire MESMAC, a sexual health organisation who offer service to various communities. In particular, they offer services to men who have sex with men, African and other BAME people, people misusing drugs, sex workers and LGBT+ people.
