Culture, Health and Sexuality
Volume 11, Issue 7, 2009, Pages 689-702

Sex and sexuality in the Shenzhen tongzhi circle: HIV risk context and migrant men who have sex with men in China (Article)

Chapman J.* , Cai Y. , Hillier S. , Estcourt C.
  • a Futures Group International, WA, United States
  • b Institute of Dermato-Venereology, Shenzhen, China
  • c Centre for Health Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, United Kingdom
  • d Centre for Infectious Disease, Queen Mary, University of London, United Kingdom

Abstract

The paper explores the HIV risk context of migrant men who have sex with men, or tongzhi, in Shenzhen, China. Findings from 42 qualitative interviews indicate that respondents are living within a complex risk environment, characterised by the realities of migration and a 'weak ties', virtual men who have sex with men community, which offers little emotional support but many opportunities for sexual engagement. Male sex work has proliferated in Shenzhen, with respondents informally participating in a type of buy-sell circuit. Respondents' portrayal of their environment and conflicts were underscored by three interacting elements: sexual freedom, migration and traditional Chinese values. The confluence of these factors, and how they may influence risk prioritisation in a multi-risk environment, is explored. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

China Sexual networks Risk Men who have sex with men HIV

Index Keywords

Social Values China social psychology HIV Infections sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection human statistics Homosexuality, Male Young Adult Freedom Humans homosexuality Adolescent male female risk factor Risk Factors Article high risk behavior disease transmission Risk-Taking adult Social Environment migration Transients and Migrants

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-74949138622&doi=10.1080%2f13691050902977562&partnerID=40&md5=da9cfe920be5ca5ac01e9d1753e08d26

DOI: 10.1080/13691050902977562
ISSN: 13691058
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English