Engage Men’s Health: A Message to Our Clients

Dear Clients and Community,

It is with deep sadness that we announce the formal closure of OUT LGBT Well-being’s Engage Men’s Health programme on 31 March 2025. This follows an unexpected Executive Order by the United States President, which led to the cancellation of our funding from the American government. The abrupt end of this support means that we are no longer able to continue providing the compassionate, stigma-free HIV and related health services that so many in our community rely on.

For over a decade, OUT has been privileged to receive support through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In recent years, we proudly became the first local community organisation to successfully ‘graduate’ to direct recipient status of this funding. We are deeply grateful to the American people for their years of support. However, we regret the sudden and devastating impact of this funding withdrawal—not just on us, but on the thousands of individuals whose health and well-being depended on these services.

A Critical Loss for Our Community

Key populations, particularly Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), face barriers to accessing general healthcare services, where stigma and a lack of understanding too often prevent them from seeking care. Engage Men’s Health was a safe and trusted space, offering services tailored to the unique needs of our community.

Through our programme, we helped 2,000 MSM stay on life-saving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and provided 4,000 clients with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection. With these services now ending, we fear that HIV will spread more rapidly and that many will struggle to access the care they need.

OUT LGBT Well-being’s Commitment Continues

While this marks the end of Engage Men’s Health, OUT LGBT Well-being will remain open. In the coming months, we will refocus our work and explore new ways to continue serving our community.

To our clients, partners, and supporters—thank you for trusting us, standing by us, and being part of this journey. Your health matters. Your well-being matters. We urge you to continue prioritising your health and supporting one another.

This may be the end of one chapter, but our commitment to LGBT+ health, dignity, and advocacy remains unshaken.

Dawie Nel
Executive Director
OUT LGBT Well-being