title: Psychological violence experienced by men who have sex with men in Puducherry, India: a qualitative study.
abstract: Men who have sex with men are a hidden population in India. This study explores the psychological violence such men are exposed to in Puducherry, India. Eleven in-depth interviews probe experiences of blackmail, discrimination, and rejection. Some informants modified their behaviors or appearances to avoid harassment and safeguard their families' reputations. Others told how Indian men accepted their behaviors, but rejected their identities. Social pressure to marry was also a recurring theme. Understanding the factors behind these violent experiences may facilitate their amelioration.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Women's and Children's Health , Division of International Maternal and Child Health, Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
authors.forename: Yajna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Elouard
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Essén
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D063509:Homophobia / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012929:Psychological Distance; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*