title: HIV-related stigma within communities of gay men: a literature review.
abstract: While stigma associated with HIV infection is well recognised, there is limited information on the impact of HIV-related stigma between men who have sex with men and within communities of gay men. The consequences of HIV-related stigma can be personal and community-wide, including impacts on mood and emotional well-being, prevention, testing behaviour, and mental and general health. This review of the literature reports a growing division between HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men, and a fragmentation of gay communities based along lines of perceived or actual HIV status. The literature includes multiple references to HIV stigma and discrimination between gay men, men who have sex with men, and among and between many gay communities. This HIV stigma takes diverse forms and can incorporate aspects of social exclusion, ageism, discrimination based on physical appearance and health status, rejection and violence. By compiling the available information on this understudied form of HIV-related discrimination, we hope to better understand and target research and countermeasures aimed at reducing its impact at multiple levels.
authors: Dutch HIV Association, 'Hivnieuws' Editorial Board, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.smit@hivnet.org
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Smit
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Brady
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Carter
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Fernandes
authors: Lance
authors: L
authors: Lamore
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Meulbroek
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Ohayon
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Platteau
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Rehberg
authors: Jürgen K
authors: JK
authors: Rockstroh
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005783:Gender Identity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D059147:HIV Serosorting / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000517:prevention & control; D057545:Social Stigma