Sexual identities and lifestyles among non-heterosexual urban Chiang Mai youth: implications for health.
Using quantitative and qualitative data we explore perspectives on and experiences of sexual lifestyles and relationships among more than 1750 young people aged 17-20 years who reside in urban Chiang Mai, Thailand. We focus on respondents' representations and understandings of their sexual/gender identities derived mainly from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, supplemented with observations and field notes. Our results show that while many young Thais described themselves as heterosexual women or men, others described themselves as gay, kathoey, tom, dii, bisexual or something else. The terms gay, kathoey, tom and dii are commonly used by these Thais to denote a range of sexual/gender identities relating to persons who are sexually or romantically attracted to the same sex. We use case studies to illustrate the distinctive characterisations, sexual lifestyles and relationships of each of these identities, together with possible health implications.
Tangmunkongvorakul
Arunrat
A
Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. arunrat.tang@anu.edu.au
Banwell
Cathy
C
Carmichael
Gordon
G
Utomo
Iwu Dwisetyani
ID
Sleigh
Adrian
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult