Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

Annex for Chapter B:
What Do You Know about Men who Have Sex with Men?
(True/False Questionnaire)
16. MSM are not at risk of getting HIV so they do not have to practice
safe sex.
False. HIV or STIs can be transmitted from one man to another man or woman
through unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex, so MSM should use protection.
17. There is no stigma against MSM. MSM stigmatize themselves.
False. Stigma towards MSM does exist in society and it may include discrimination
in hiring practices, arbitrary harassment by police, or being excluded from family
decisions and activities, among many other forms of stigma. This kind of stigma and
discrimination experienced by MSM may lead to internal, or self-stigma among
MSM. Living in a society where MSM are often condemned, rejected, and isolated,
MSM may internalize some of the negative attitudes from the community and
develop feelings of shame about who they are. Self-stigma is induced by stigma that
exists in the larger society.
18. MSM have less male hormones than heterosexual men.
False. Hormones have nothing to do with sexual orientation or sexual behavior, so
hormonal treatment will not “cure” a MSM.
19. Homosexuality is caused by karma.
False. Some people believe that a person has become MSM as a punishment for
something bad that they have done in this life or their previous lives. This is not true.
We cannot explain being MSM as karma. Homosexuality is caused by genetic and
social factors only, not moral or religious factors.
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