Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

Naming
Stigma
toward
MSM
Example Responses:
Loss of place and recognition within the family; excluded from family decision
making.
Parents try to control and influence other children so they don’t also become
MSM.
School
Students make fun of long hair MSM. They call him a “katooey” and imitate his
body language.
Students avoid contact with MSM students (don’t sit beside them and don’t talk
to them) to avoid being viewed by other students as MSM.
Teachers spend very little time with MSM students, trying to avoid them.
MSM students are forced to cut their hair to stay in school. Some MSM students
accept the shame and begin to hate themselves (self-stigma). They drop out
of school because of bad treatment.
Teachers who are MSM have to behave as a “real man” to be allowed to
teach.
Health Facility
Bureaucratic and unfriendly treatment. Harsh and scolding language.
MSM who get HIV are blamed and shamed.
MSM patients are kept waiting, or told to come another day, or treated last.
Health staff keep their distance and show their disapproval through their body
language.
Gossip and making fun of MSM by clinic staff and other patients.
Some health staff breach confidentiality and tell other staff and patients.
Whispering. Gossip.
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