Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

B2
What Do We Know about
Men who Have Sex with Men?
15. Safe sex for MSM is different from safe sex between a man and a woman.
16. MSM are not at risk of getting HIV so they do not have to practice safe sex.
17. There is no stigma against MSM, MSM stigmatize themselves.
18. MSM have less male hormones than heterosexual men.
19. Homosexuality is caused by karma.
Summary: Bring the session to a close by summarizing the main points
which participants have made during the exercise. In giving your summary you
may use some of the following points, if they have not already been mentioned by
participants.
People know little about MSM, so out of ignorance they judge them unfairly or
isolate/reject them out of fear.
When we know little about others, we end up accepting stereotypes about
them, e.g., that “MSM are sick, sex crazy, etc.” We believe these things are true,
but they are false.
We endorse the practices of the majority (heterosexual sex) and criticize the
practices of the minority (MSM/homosexuality). We use the pressure of the
majority to criticize and marginalize the minority (MSM) and ignore their
rights.
If we know more about MSM – their lives and loves, gender identity, gender
expression, and their sexual orientation – we will begin to overcome some of
our doubts, prejudice and confusion about MSM and be less fearful or
condemning towards them.
MSM help to teach us that human beings are different in a wide variety of
ways. Instead of making fun of people who dress or behave or have sex in
different ways, we should accept them.
MSM are different, but they are not harming anyone, so we should leave them
alone and let them get on with their lives without being condemned and
taunted.
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