Philippine E-Journals

Exploring Sexual Minority Men and Their Sexual Roles: Understanding Risky Sexual Behaviors through Subjective Norms and Attitudes

Moniq M. Muyargas

Discipline: Psychology

 

Abstract:

This local study explores how urban gay men engage in various sexual roles and discusses how these sexual roles may shape subjective norms and attitudes toward high risk sexual behaviors particularly unprotected sex and oral sex (semen swallowing). This qualitative research looks into sexual minority men who are self-identified gay men and men having sex with other men living in Iloilo City. Using focus group discussions, results produced a synthesis of responses of the 22 participants. Through qualitative analysis, results indicate that gay men identities do not determine sexual roles engaged in during sexual intercourse and that these sexual roles may influence subjective norms and attitudes towards safe sex. Findings suggest the need to be critical of the structured assumptions of health paradigms used for STI prevention and sexual health research frameworks.