Much better than a like: Creative pedagogies of wellness among young queer men of colour

The Mpowerment Program was an HIV prevention effort focused primarily on young gay and bisexual men of colour in Los Angeles. The programme emphasized a harm reduction approach to sexual health while functioning as a community-based, popular education initiative. It operated from 2003 to 2009 and was based at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), a large non-profit service organization. In the following roundtable discussion, former Mpowerment participants and staff look back after several years to reflect on their experiences in the programme. Their recollections address themes such as communication skills, sexual wellness, community building and the artistic components and creative practices of the group.