Abstract
Role-based sexual identities structure male same-sex partnerships and influence HIV/STI epidemiology among MSM in Latin America.
We explored shifting relationships between sexual roles, identities and practices among MSM in Lima, Peru, and implications
for HIV/STI prevention. Patterns of HIV/STI epidemiology reflected differential risks for transmission within role-based partnerships
with relatively low prevalences of HIV, syphilis, and HSV-2 but higher prevalences of urethral gonorrhea/chlamydia among activo MSM compared with moderno and pasivo participants. Qualitative analysis of how MSM in Peru integrate sexual identities, roles, and practices identified four key
themes: pasivo role as a gay approximation of cultural femininity; activo role as a heterosexual consolidation of masculinity; moderno role as a masculine reconceptualization of gay identity; and role-based identities as social determinants of partnership,
network, and community formation. The concept of role-based sexual identities provides a framework for HIV prevention for
Latin American MSM that integrates sexual identities, practices, partnerships, and networks.
We explored shifting relationships between sexual roles, identities and practices among MSM in Lima, Peru, and implications
for HIV/STI prevention. Patterns of HIV/STI epidemiology reflected differential risks for transmission within role-based partnerships
with relatively low prevalences of HIV, syphilis, and HSV-2 but higher prevalences of urethral gonorrhea/chlamydia among activo MSM compared with moderno and pasivo participants. Qualitative analysis of how MSM in Peru integrate sexual identities, roles, and practices identified four key
themes: pasivo role as a gay approximation of cultural femininity; activo role as a heterosexual consolidation of masculinity; moderno role as a masculine reconceptualization of gay identity; and role-based identities as social determinants of partnership,
network, and community formation. The concept of role-based sexual identities provides a framework for HIV prevention for
Latin American MSM that integrates sexual identities, practices, partnerships, and networks.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0210-5
- Authors
- Jesse Clark, Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Leconte Avenue, CHS 37-121, Los Angeles, 90095 CA, USA
- Javier Salvatierra, Instituto de Estudios en Salud, Sexualidad y Desarollo Humano, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Eddy Segura, Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Leconte Avenue, CHS 37-121, Los Angeles, 90095 CA, USA
- Ximena Salazar, Instituto de Estudios en Salud, Sexualidad y Desarollo Humano, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Kelika Konda, Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Leconte Avenue, CHS 37-121, Los Angeles, 90095 CA, USA
- Amaya Perez-Brumer, Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Leconte Avenue, CHS 37-121, Los Angeles, 90095 CA, USA
- Eric Hall, U.S. Naval Medical Research Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Jeffrey Klausner, Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Leconte Avenue, CHS 37-121, Los Angeles, 90095 CA, USA
- Carlos Caceres, Instituto de Estudios en Salud, Sexualidad y Desarollo Humano, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Thomas Coates, Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Leconte Avenue, CHS 37-121, Los Angeles, 90095 CA, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165