Workshops for gay, bi+, queer men aged 18-26 (SPARK)
What is SPARK?
SPARK is the dedicated project for Young Gay, Bi+, Queer Men aged 18-26 years old here at ACON that’s been running since 1988!
We run workshops, forums, social hangouts and other fun events! All our events are FREE to attend and are a great way to meet other likeminded people, hang out, learn about sexual health, HIV, coming out, navigating family and community, and so much more!
Check out our website at sparkonline.org.au to see our full offering.
Our two main workshops that we run are:
START MAKING SENSE
Meet other gay, bi+, queer guys (trans and cis) ages 18-26 and learn about identity, sexuality, coming out, family, friendships, relationships, the gay community and how to build social networks.
We’ll also teach you about HIV, sexual health and how to stay safe when hooking up!
Where: 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010 (ACON’s Head Office)
When: Delivered over 4 weeks, on one weekday evening per week. Each session starts at 6:30pm and finishes at 9:30pm.
What to expect: When you arrive, one of our friendly peers will meet you at the door to direct you to the workshop. The same space is used every week. We aim to have 15 participants at most, with 2 or 3 facilitators to guide the workshop.
Find out more and sign up for Start Making Sense workshops here.
ADULT THEMES
Join this workshop to learn about all things sex and pleasure! We will discuss some really interesting topics and give practical advice about sex, including staying safe, how to use the apps, kinks and sex on premise venues – all in a safe and supportive environment with our peer facilitators!
Where: 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010 (ACON’s Head Office)
When: Delivered over 4 weeks, on one weekday evening per week. Each session starts at 6:30pm and finishes at 9:30pm.
What to expect: When you arrive, one of our friendly peers will meet you at the door to direct you to the workshop. The same space is used every week. We aim to have 15 participants at most, with 2 or 3 facilitators to guide the workshop.
Got a question? Please feel free to reach out to youth@acon.org.au or Whatsapp 0482 187 548 (all questions will be answered during business hours).
Looking for Mr. Right
Welcome to ACON’s Looking for Mr. Right workshop!
For guys who like guys (trans and cis) aged 18 and above.
This face-to-face session runs over four weeks and is designed to give guys the tools and confidence to find, start, and maintain healthy relationships.
Looking for Mr. Right will connect you to like-minded and provide you with all the info to keep things safe and sexy!
The workshop explores the below topics across the four sessions:
Session 1 ‘Values and Vulnerability’
Session 2 ‘Getting Out There!’
Session 3 ‘When Things Get Steamy’
Session 4 ‘Putting Things into Practice’
ACON’s peer facilitators ensure each session is fun, informative, and sex-positive!
This workshop will be running again soon.
Ready to dive into our next workshop? Find out more and register here.
Finding Mr. Right Now – A Free Masterclass About Hooking Up
Curious about hookups?
Whether you want to feel more confident chatting online, learn more about cruising, or just stay safer — this one-off masterclass is for you! Finding Mr Right Now is a 3 hour workshop run over a single evening.
Join us for a fun, interactive session designed for gay, bi+, and queer men. We’ll unpack everything you need to know about navigating the world of hookups, staying safe, and getting the most pleasure out of your experiences—without killing the vibe.
Leading Rainbow Western Sydney
Leading Rainbow Western Sydney is a leadership gathering series for established and emerging community leaders and groups who support multicultural LGBTQ communities in Greater Western Sydney to connect with, learn from, and support each other.
Meet like-minded people and make cross-cultural connections as we support each other, build skills and foster ongoing community activity.
Flick through the zine here for a summary of our successful launch event in 2022.
To stay updated with our future Leading Rainbow Western Sydney events, join our GWS Leadership Network here.
Booty Basics
Booty Basics is in session!
For guys who like guys (trans and cis) aged 18 and above, and non-binary people who read themselves into the space.
Looking to make your sex life sexy and smart? We got you! This four-week face-to-face program runs over three interactive sessions (1.5 hours each), plus a community excursion on the fourth week – something you won’t want to miss!
The workshop explores the following topics:
- Sexual attitudes and perspectives
- Practicing safe sex and the importance of preventing HIV and STIs
- Anal anatomy and health
- The basics and preparing to bottom
- Maximising pleasure and intimacy
- Learning new positions
- Toys and pleasure
Masculinity Workshops
ACON invites you to our Masculinity Workshops!
About the workshop:
There will be 4 workshops total, you can come to any you like! The aim is to explore what masculinity means to you in a safe, fun, and transformative way, and to build friendships, and community connections.
Who are these workshops for?
These workshops are for LGBTQ+ people of all genders who would like to explore what their own masculinity means for them in a safe, fun and transformative way. This includes cis and trans men, non-binary people, and masc/butch women. If you want help to explore your relationship with masculinity, then this workshop is for you.
Who is involved with the workshops?
These workshops were informed by LGBTQ+ community consultation and developed by ACON’s sexual, domestic and family team. Each workshop will have one ACON LGBTQ+ facilitator and one subject matter expert external to ACON.
How do I register?
Please fill in the below expression of interest form.
Where and when will these workshops be held?
- Physical + Mental Health Workshop: Thursday, 17 September 2026 in City of Sydney, venue TBC
- Masculinity + Story Workshop: Thursday, 24 September 2026 from 6pm to 8:30pm, Kings Cross Library, Level 2
- Hooking Up + Dating Workshop: Thursday, 1 October 2026 from 6pm to 8:30pm, Kings Cross Library, Level 2
- Drag Workshop: Thursday, 8 October 2026 from 6pm to 8:30pm, Kings Cross Library, Level 2
Safety and Confidentiality
Your safety is our biggest priority. We understand that taking part in this kind of workshop may create feelings of vulnerability, or raise concerns about confidentiality and safety in small communities. Please reach out if you would like to chat through any of these concerns.
Click with Care: LGBTQA+ Safety & Empowerment Online
ACON is facilitating workshops for the LGBTQA+ community on technology-facilitated abuse. These workshops are designed for LGBTQA+ people to learn from others in the community to:
- Learn more about how technology-facilitated abuse impacts LGBTQA+ communities
- Talk about strategies around staying safe online with LGBTQA+ peers
- Understand the actions we can take to help prevent technology-facilitated abuse
Click with Care workshops have been running monthly since April 2026 in various locations around NSW. We are currently offering three different workshop streams that will cover different topics you can choose from in the form below (you are welcome to attend all of them should you wish to). The topics are:
- Exploring Digital Consent and App Safety
- Digital Safety: Devices, Accounts and Tracking
- Online Discrimination
Please provide your details below to register your interest and the date of the workshop you would like to sign up for.
There will also be workshops for LGBTQA+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These workshops will be facilitated for Mob by Mob.
Who are Click with Care workshops for?
- Anyone who identifies as LGBTQA+.
- People of all genders. Trans people of all genders are welcome and encouraged to join.
- People over 18 years old.
- People living in NSW.
- This workshop is not designed for partner/s to attend together.
Who is involved with the group?
Two ACON LGBTQA+ facilitators will facilitate each workshop. The First Nations specific workshops will be facilitated by LGBTQA+SB Mob.
Safety and Confidentiality
- Your safety is our biggest priority. We understand that taking part in this kind of workshop can create feelings of vulnerability and raise concerns about confidentiality and safety in small communities. We can speak with you about any concerns you may have to make sure this will be an appropriate and safe space for you.
Say It Out Loud
ACONs Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence team runs workshops on topics like healthy relationships, staying safe online, and masculinity. They also run survivor groups and behaviour change groups. Find out more here.
They also run Say It Out Loud which is a national resource for LGBTQ+ communities and service providers, that works to prevent and respond to sexual, domestic and family violence. The site includes information about healthy relationships, as well as information and support for people who are experiencing and using violence. Say It Out Loud contains resources for community members who want to support their friends and loved ones, and for professionals as well. The site contains a national service finder and other resources.
