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Abstract
MSM, sexualities, identities and behaviours in South Asia
Gay vs MSM?
S Ahmed1, S Khan2
1Bandhu Social Welfare Society, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 2Naz Foundation International, London, United Kingdom
Issue - Many donors, NGOs, govt. institutions, & even gay organisations working in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention see male sexualities as a singular construction based on a oppositional & hierarchal dichotomy of heterosexual/homosexual. Based on such a supposed distinction & division, the AIDS epidemic in South Asia has been termed "heterosexual", but is does this interpretation gave a valid picture of the range of male sexual behaviours, identities &STI/HIV epidemic? And if not, are appropriate services for men who have sex with men (MSMs) being developed?
Description - A range of situational assessments conducted by NFI & its partners, including Bandhu, have indicated that the term MSM covers a wide variety of masculinities, identities and behaviours. At the same time, where MSM sexual health interventions have developed, significant numbers of MSM who do not identify with a specific label are utilising the term MSM as an identity term which enables them to avoid the term koti, as well as the term 'gay' which they may not have access to.
The visibility of MSM in public sex environments mainly are based on self-identified kotis who are feminised males with a perfomative role to attract. MSM sex is highly gendered in South Asia generally, & utilising gay/homosexual language may miss completely a significant proportion of MSM behaviours, while utilising MSM as a terminology may also generate confusion. This requires careful consideration of how the dynamics of MSM sex works & and who among MSM networks are the most highly at risk, how they can be approached & who should intervene.
Lessons Learnt - NFI has worked on these issues for the past 7 years & has developed a replicable model of developing locally based MSM CBOs primarily focusing on the visible kotis & their sexual partners.
Recommendations - Developing such CBOs maximises the outreach capacity since kotis have high rates of multiple partners & access a range of masculinities.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
F11751
Suggested Citation
" S Ahmed , , et al.
MSM, sexualities, identities and behaviours in South Asia
Gay vs MSM?
.
Print Only:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
F11751"
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