Anjali Gopalan on MSM

I don’t think there is one profession that is more prone to this kind of behaviour. But I think that male-to-male sexual activity (MSM) is high in this country. It is across the board, not only in case of truckers but also with all kinds of professions. So what we need to understand is male-to-male sexual activity is happening in this country, across the board, in rural and urban both. At least that’s what our experience says, as we do a lot of work with MSM.

We do a number of programs with MSM. We have a drop-in center. Here support group meetings, counseling happens. We have clinic where they come in to see the doctor. We have an outreach program; here we provide information to the community on HIV and leading a safer sexual life.

There is a lot of stigma in this community. But if I look at the last 14-15 years of our work, I do see some change. There is some level openness, which wasn’t there earlier. But does that mean that people are really forth coming – No. The level of stigma is still very high.

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