Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

Naming
Stigma
toward
MSM
Example Responses:
Forms of Stigma and Discrimination against MSM
Making MSM feel different: Making fun of. Mocking. Finger
pointing. Hostile looks.
Shaming and blaming: Bad words. Condemning. Judging.
Scolding. Insulting. Gossip.
Isolation: Rejection. Refuse to sit beside them. Excluded
from activities. No one talks to them.
Violence: Kicked out of house. Beaten by police. Physical
attack by public. Sexual abuse
Discrimination: Poor treatment at clinic. Harassed by
police. Not hired. Stop from entering bars
Self-stigma: Blaming and isolating on self.
Accepting shame. Withdrawal from activities.
Stigma by association: Family, partners, and friends of MSM are also stigmatized.
Causes of MSM Stigma
Moral judgments: View that MSM have broken social norms by having sex with
men Ignorance and unwillingness to accept difference. People know little about
MSM’s lives and sexuality, so out of ignorance they judge them unfairly or isolate
reject them out of fear.They are prejudiced toward people who are seen as looking
and behaving differently.
Fear of stigma by association: Some short hair MSM stigmatize long hair MSM
out of the fear of being stigmatized themselves by being associated with long hair
MSM. Non-MSM are afraid to be seen with MSM as they fear others will assume
that they are also MSM
Gender expression: MSM who are effeminate in their behavior (e.g., MSM short
hair) are judged harshly because their clothing and appearance differs from the norm.
Power and gender norms: Moral rules are often based on unequal power relations
and can be used to punish those who challenge gender norms e.g., “not behaving
like a real man.”
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