[Young gay men and absence of adequate signs and cultural images].
This article is based on a qualitative, exploratory HIV-related study among young gay men in Norway. In addition to generating HIV-related knowledge, the study provided insights into phenomena associated with the general cultural conditions under which young gay men grow up. Those who are not yet members of gay communities or friendship groups have to rely on the public discourse for their acquisition of knowledge and signs relating to sex and sexuality. However, among the signs and images available through this discourse, only a few mediate a homosexual reality. Furthermore, of the few that exist, hardly any can be found that is not derived from the heterosexual domain. In effect this implies that young gay men will have to make sense of their lives and their sexuality through signs and images that basically mediate a reality different from theirs. In encounters between health workers and young gay men, knowledge about and awareness of such processes may be vital.
Middelthon
Anne-Lise
AL
Seksjon for medisinsk antropologi Institutt for allmenn- og samfunnsmedisin Det medisinske fakultet Universitetet i Oslo Boks 1130 Blindern 0318 Oslo. a.l.o.middelthon@samfunnsmed.uio.no
D003142:Communication; D005195:Family Relations; D005783:Gender Identity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007063:Identity Crisis; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012933:Social Identification