MEANINGS OF SEXUAL HEALTH AMONG GAY MEN IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

THE HIV SITUATION AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN (MSM) IN SINGAPORE HAS TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE IN RECENT YEARS. DESPITE THIS, THERE IS A DEARTH OF LOCAL RESEARCH ON THE SEXUAL HEALTH OF THIS AT-RISK GROUP TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELEVANT AND EFFECTIVE HIV-PREVENTION STRATEGIES. THIS STUDY AIMS TO FILL THE GAP BY CONDUCTING AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION INTO THE SEXUAL HEALTH OF A SUBSET OF THE LOCAL MSM POPULATION, NAMELY SELF-IDENTIFIED GAY MEN. A NARRATIVE APPROACH FORMED THE THEORETICAL BASIS OF THE STUDY AS WELL AS INFORMED ITS METHODOLOGY. AS A RESULT, THE STUDY FOREGROUNDS THE VOICES OF GAY MEN IN SINGAPORE ? THE LIFE EXPERIENCES NARRATED BY THE STUDY PARTICIPANTS GAVE INSIGHT INTO HOW THEY MAKE SENSE OF AND COMMUNICATE ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL IDENTITY, AND SEXUAL RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SINGAPORE.