Sexual Lifestyles of Men having Sex with Men (MSM) - A study in Andhra Pradesh (Undivided)

Challa Sudha Rani; Dr. Ubaidullah

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2017

Sexual Lifestyles of Men having Sex with Men (MSM) - A study in Andhra Pradesh (Undivided)

Challa Sudha Rani, Dr. Ubaidullah

Abstract :

Some sex behavior and relationships in India tend to be much more fluid and the associated sexual identities do not always fall into distinctive categories (i.e. heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual) as these often do in Western cultures. Sexual roles may vary without regard to one‘s sexual identity or primary orientation. For some men, terms such as kothi (receptive or effeminate male partner), panthi (stereotypically penetrative or masculine male partner), �double deckers� (men who engage in both penetrative and receptive anal sex) may be invoked to describe their sexual identity, as opposed to thinking of themselves as �gay� (which may be perceived to be a foreign term). However, these identity labels do not always predict specific sexual behaviors as male-to-male sexual practices and are often fluid. Other men who privately self-identify as homosexual or gay (often those more educated), may still be having sex with both men and women because of familial pressures to marry and have children. Additionally, some men simply do not consider same sex behavior (including anal sex) as sex but rather just �masti� or play and thus may reject even being categorized as MSM - despite the fact that the term was initially intended to be a non-judgmental description of sexual behavior and distinct from one‘s sexual orientation or identity. Regardless of how men view and label their actions, MSM who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors put themselves and/or their partners at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They need to be counseled regarding how to engage in sexual behaviors with reduced risk of acquiring or transmitting STIs or HIV to themselves or to their sexual partners.