Targeting Prevention for Men Who Have Sex With Men Through Social Sites

The use of the term "MSM" by three of the four speakers confirms the concern of many that it is indeed used incautiously. It could simply be a politically euphemistic term, such as in Malaysia, where the use of the word "gay" is unacceptable in public discourse due to moral and legal taboos. Further, it glosses over the diversity of genders and sexualities in many communities. Some of the participants suggest that the term not be used any longer, and instead the different possible gender and sexual identities and non-identities be recognised fully. All speakers in different degrees highlight the importance of using social sites, be they dressing or make-up rooms used by kothis (ethnological transgender men) in Bangladesh, dance competitions among similarly identified people in India, sex venues used by gay and other homosexually active men in Australia, and the internet as used by Malaysian gay men.