The guiding principles
of the Guardian Project
- Young men are very concerned about social pressures
and self esteem.
- Peer influences are strong among young gay /bisexual
men.
- Building health relationships among young gay/bisexual
men.
- Empowerment promotes more lasting changes in
behavior.
- Community wide change occurs through interpersonal
networks.
- Focus on Positive messages about being gay
and sex in general (not fear or shame).
There are two types of Guardians, Captain
and Master Guardians. Captain Guardians
are young men ages 18-29 and Master Guardians are
gay men ages 30+. Captain and Master Guardians must
complete an interview with a staff member of the
Guardian Project as well as basic training of HIV
Education.
Captain and Master Guardians’ Code
of Conduct:
To uphold the principles of the Guardian message,
further this message of safer sex to the young gay/bisexual
members of the St. Louis community, and encourage
these men to self identify as “guardians”
protecting their own lives and the lives of others
by prompting and encouraging smart sex messages
and practices.
Expectations and responsibilities:
Guardians will embrace the principles of
Smart Sex and will practice these principles.
The Captain and Master Guardians will frequent
businesses where gay/bisexual men gather, including
social organizations, bars, the stroll or coffee
houses.
The Captain and Master Guardians will promote safer
sex messages by handing out Guardians Literature
and condoms as well as sharing accurate safer sex
information.
The Captain and Master Guardians will encourage
contacts made in the community to join a Guardian
Social Activities Group, where the guiding principles
will be practiced and encouraged.
Captain and Master Guardians will serve as peer
leaders in the community, will share important messages
for the target population, and will mentor members
of the target group. Captain and Master Guardians
will create an image that it is ‘cool and
hip’ and encourage others to self identify
as guardians.
The Captain and Master Guardians will present a
professional image in the community when performing
the tasks of the Guardian Code of Conduct and Responsibilities.
The Guardians Project managers encourage limited
alcohol use when performing these duties.
Use of illegal or illicit drugs are not tolerated
when performing the duties of a captain or master
guardians.
While representing the Guardian Project, cruising
is detained until after The Captain and Master Guardians
are no longer performing tasks associated with the
Guardian Project.
Guardians are expected to follow this Code whenever
in Guardian wear.
Guardian literature cannot be disseminated outside
St. Louis, MO.
Captain and Master Guardians are also committed
in supporting each other in the Captain and Master
Guardians brotherhood.
What are the Guardians responsibilities?
The Guardians will frequent businesses where this
population gathers, including social organizations,
bars, “the stroll” or coffee houses.
The Guardians will have Guardian literature as
well as safer sex messages and condoms to hand out
and will have current knowledge of safer sex information
and other important information to foster communication.
Guardians will serve as peer leaders in the community,
will share important messages to the target population,
and will mentor members of the target group. They
will create an image that it is ‘cool and
hip’ and encourage others to self identify
as guardians.
The Guardians will encourage contacts made in the
community to join a Guardian Social Activities Group,
where the guiding principles will be practiced and
encouraged.
Note: Based on Mpowerment Project, 2002, Center
for AIDS Prevention Studies, Centers for Disease
Control
What is the difference between Captain and
Master Guardians?
Captain Guardians will serve as actual outreach
workers in the community. These 20-something young
gay men will frequent area business where young
gay men meet, including the bars, coffee houses
and other gathering places.
The Master Guardians are 30-something gay men who
represent other parts of the gay community, which
are sometimes difficult to gain access to.
If are interested in becoming a Captain or Master
Guardian Guardian, click
here for an application and more information.
Official Guardian Spokesperson
Thomas Adams, M. Div.
Executive Director
The AIDS Foundation of St. Louis
2340 Hampton Avenue, Suite 1
St. Louis, MO 63139
314.367.7363
aidstl@earthlink.net
The Captain Guardians
Duane Westhoff
HIV/STD Prevention Specialist
Project ARK
4169 Laclede
St. Louis, MO 63108
314.535.7275
westhoff_d@kids.wustl.edu
Joel Jackson
Youth Outreach and Programming Specialist
Project ARK
4149 Laclede
St. Louis, MO 63108
314.535.7275
jackson_j@kids.wustl.edu
Adam Kepka
Peer Health Counselor
Project ARK
4149 Laclede
St. Louis, MO 63108
314.535.7275
kepka_a@kids.wustl.edu
Danny Sanders
Prevention Case Manager St. Louis Effort for AIDS
314.645.6451
dsanders@stlefa.org
Thomas Blissett
tman0333@hotmail.com
Jason Thompson
jmejst@yahoo.com
The Master Guardians
Ron Walters
Mr. Missouri Leather 2004
MrMoLeather04@aol.com
Leon A. Braxton, Jr.
Female Impersonator Dieta Pepsi
LABraxtonJr@aol.com
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