Sexual Identity, Sexual Behaviour And Hiv/Aids Among Gay Men In Penang
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Date
2013-05
Authors
Mark Stephan, Felix
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
HIV/AIDS had been part of the Malaysian social scenario for close to three
decades and gay men had been historically and socially associated with the epidemic.
This research was aimed at elucidating the sexual identity and sexual behaviour of 33
gay men to better understand the position Penang has as the state with the highest rate
of HIV infection among gay men in Malaysia. Through the use of in-depth interviews
and a content analysis matrix, this study qualitatively analysed the sexual identity and
sexual behaviour of 33 respondents. The study utilized phenomenology as the
theoretical underpinning in understanding the sexual identity of the 33 respondents of
the study. The findings of the study pointed out that same-sex sexual attraction was
natural to the respondents and was nurtured by several agents of socialization. In
creating their social reality, the respondents were both affected by and affected their
social world. The findings also showed that the respondents engaged in a myriad of
sexual behaviour as part of their expression of same-sex attraction. As HIV/AIDS was
not seen by the respondents as intrinsically part of their sexual identity, it led to erratic
safer sex practices that placed the respondents at risk of HIV infection.
Description
Keywords
Sexual Identity, Sexual Behaviour And Hiv/Aids , Gay Men In Penang