A Positive Journey – Sexual Health, HIV and Migration Through an Intersectional Lens
A Positive Journey is a project dedicated to promoting the sexual health of migrants in Italy, with a particular focus on HIV prevention, access to services, and the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people with a migration background.
The project is rooted in the understanding that health is shaped not only by the availability of healthcare services, but also by the social, cultural and economic circumstances in which people live. Migration, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic circumstances, and language and cultural barriers can intersect, making it more difficult to access information, prevention and healthcare services.
An Intersectional Approach to Health
A Positive Journey adopts an intersectional, inclusive and rights-based approach, recognising that individuals may experience multiple dimensions of identity and different forms of vulnerability simultaneously.
Particular attention is given to LGBTQIA+ migrants, who may face specific barriers to accessing health and social care services. These can include language barriers, limited awareness of available services, HIV-related stigma, discrimination, and prejudice relating to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Understanding how these factors intersect is essential to developing genuinely accessible services that respond effectively to people’s needs.
Project Objectives
The project aims to improve knowledge and awareness of sexual health, HIV and migration, while encouraging more inclusive professional practices.
Specifically, A Positive Journey seeks to:
- Raise awareness of the specific sexual health needs of migrant communities;
- Deepen understanding of HIV prevention, testing and related issues;
- Promote greater understanding of the experiences of LGBTQIA+ migrants;
- Challenge stigma, stereotypes and discrimination;
- Encourage an intersectional, rights-based approach;
- Equip professionals working in health, social care and migrant reception services with theoretical knowledge and practical tools;
- Support the development of more accessible, inclusive services that respect diverse identities and experiences.
Training Professionals Working in Support Services
A key component of the project is training for professionals working in health, social care and migrant reception services.
Through learning sessions and opportunities for discussion and reflection, the project provides tools to help professionals better understand the needs of migrants and LGBTQIA+ people, while identifying and addressing the barriers that may prevent them from accessing prevention and support services.
The aim is not simply to increase knowledge, but to encourage the development of genuinely person-centred professional practices that recognise and respect each individual’s identity, experiences, needs and rights.
Health, Inclusion and Rights
Talking about sexual health also means talking about accessibility, self-determination and human rights.
A Positive Journey seeks to help create environments in which everyone can access information, prevention and healthcare services without fear of judgement or discrimination.
Promoting the sexual health of migrants therefore means going beyond HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. It also involves addressing the social and cultural barriers that can prevent people from fully exercising their right to health.
About the Project
A Positive Journey is delivered by Plus APS, in collaboration with IAM – Intersectionalities and More.
The project is supported by an unrestricted grant from Gilead Sciences.
