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Abstract
Accounting for the un-accountable? Discourse analysis and unwanted sex among men who have sex with men in Aotearoa New Zealand
J J Fenaughty
University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Issues
The majority of HIV-prevention techniques are predicated on the assumption of consensuality in sexual decision-making. However, various international studies have identified that a number of men who have sex with men (MSM) report experiences of 'non-consensual sex' with other men. Non-consensual sexual phenomena of rape, forced, coerced, pressured and unwanted sex, thus present challenges to HIV-prevention strategies predicated on consent.
In a number of these studies, men report experiencing rape, forced, coerced, pressured, and unwanted sex, with current and/or former partners, or casual sexual partners. Recent statistics indicating high levels of HIV-seroconversion within gay men's relationships, call further attention to the place of unwanted sex in the lives, and relationships, of men who have sex with men.
Description of Project
Using interview data from my PhD research (in progress), I wish to briefly outline some of the discourses deployed by men in accounting for experiences of pressured and unwanted sex with other men.
As opposed to rape, forced and coerced sex, pressured sex and unwanted sex are defined in this study as sexual contact that is not wanted, but is not the result of physical force, threats of force, or significant threats to one's personal or financial well-being. Pressured sex may include implicit threats, pestering, and/or emotional blackmailing (e.g., "if you really loved me you wouldn't say no"). Unwanted sex includes instances where men may do something unwanted, even though he experienced no direct pressure from his partner (e.g., "I thought I had to have sex with him to show him that I loved him").
Implications
By identifying some of the discourses used by MSM to account for experiences of pressured and unwanted sex (especially within relationships), it is hoped that these findings may provide evidence, or impetus, for HIV-prevention technologies to address these factors in future interventions.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
D12289
Suggested Citation
" J J Fenaughty ,
Accounting for the un-accountable? Discourse analysis and unwanted sex among men who have sex with men in Aotearoa New Zealand.
CD Only:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
D12289"
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