Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

Annex A:5
Stigma and Discrimination toward
Men Who Have Sex with Men
The stigma toward MSM is largely based on two things: their sexual behavior and their
gender expression. People make assumptions about sexual orientation based on gender
expression. They assume that if a man behaves in an effeminate manner that he must
be MSM and a legitimate target for stigma.
Some of the effects of stigma and resulting discrimination on MSM are:
Sadness, loneliness, feeling rejected, hopelessness, confusion and loss of
self-esteem
Stress, depression, suicide, alcoholism
Fear of not being accepted by others – “What will people say?”
Shame and loss of confidence. MSM feel they are no longer accepted by others
Secrecy/hiding: This stops MSM from disclosing their situation and accessing
services
As a result of the effects of stigma and discrimination, MSM may find difficulty in
accessing health services, sharing their concerns with health providers, and practicing
behaviors that help prevent HIV and other STIS. MSM often avoid using health services
and may take less care about their sexual health because they fear stigma and
discrimination. For similar reasons MSM also avoid getting tested for HIV. This may put
MSM at higher risk of getting HIV and infecting their sexual partners. In this way stigma
toward MSM fuels the general HIV epidemic.
Stigma at present is condoned. People think that it is acceptable to isolate and shame
MSM. They are not aware of how it affects MSM, their families and the HIV epidemic.
Stigma toward MSM is wrong – it is not acceptable! It hurts MSM and drives the HIV
epidemic underground. Stigma makes MSM feel lonely, ashamed, sad, and rejected,
and they begin to doubt themselves. They lose confidence and as a result, they may take
less care in protecting their health (e.g., stop using clinics and condoms) – and in this
way HIV keeps moving.
Stigma and discrimination toward MSM are violations of their human rights and
undermine public health efforts to tackle HIV and AIDS. MSM have the right to be
protected from stigma and discrimination.
286