HIV-related stigma within communities of gay men: a literature review

• Published in: AIDS care 2012-04, Vol.24 (4), p.405-412
• Main Authors: Smit, Peter J., Brady, Michael, Carter, Michael, Fernandes, Ricardo, Lamore, Lance, Meulbroek, Michael, Ohayon, Michel, Platteau, Tom, Rehberg, Peter, Rockstroh, Jürgen K., Thompson, Marc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - psychology; Aggression; AIDS; Biological and medical sciences; Discrimination; Emotional Intelligence; emotional well-being; Emotions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gay men; Gays & lesbians; Gender Identity; HIV; HIV Seropositivity - psychology; HIV Serosorting - psychology; HIV/AIDS; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Homosexuals; Hope; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infection; Infectious diseases; Interpersonal Relations; Life Sciences; Literature reviews; Male; Medical sciences; Men; men who have sex with men; Mental Health; Mood; Moods; Perceptions; Personality. Affectivity; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Residence Characteristics; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Sex; Sexual orientation discrimination; Sexuality. Sexual behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - psychology; Social Discrimination - prevention & control; Social exclusion; Social interactions; Social Stigma; Stigma; Stigmatization; Violence; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Well-being
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2011.613910

While stigma associated with HIV infection is well recognised, there is limited information on the impact of HIV-related stigma between men who have sex with men and within communities of gay men. The consequences of HIV-related stigma can be personal and community-wide, including impacts on mood and emotional well-being, prevention, testing behaviour, and mental and general health. This review of the literature reports a growing division between HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men, and a fragmentation of gay communities based along lines of perceived or actual HIV status. The literature includes multiple references to HIV stigma and discrimination between gay men, men who have sex with men, and among and between many gay communities. This HIV stigma takes diverse forms and can incorporate aspects of social exclusion, ageism, discrimination based on physical appearance and health status, rejection and violence. By compiling the available information on this understudied form of HIV-related discrimination, we hope to better understand and target research and countermeasures aimed at reducing its impact at multiple levels.