Queering the family stigma experiences of Filipino MSMs living with HIV

• Main Author: Cleofas, Jerome Visperas
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/1364
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study explores the personal and family characteristics, family life histories, and family stigma experiences among Filipino males-who-have-sex-with-males (MSMs) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It deconstructs how heteronormativity is deployed in these experiences, and how sexual minoritization in the family influences becoming and being HIV seropositive using the lens of queer theory. Critical social research on HIV focusing in the family context is wanting in local literature. Using life history approach, 31 self-identified MSMs living with HIV were purposively selected and interviewed using semi-structured open-ended questions. Narrative analysis, constant comparative method and discourse analysis were used to analyze the qualitative data. Findings reveal that the family life histories of the participants were influenced by their visibility as MSMs in the family. Three major categories of family stigma emerged from this study: explicit stigma, implicit stigma and self-stigma. Various heteronormative discourses were deployed in sexual-orientation-gender-identity-and-expression (SOGIE) and HIV related family stigma. The association of family stigma with becoming and being HIV seropositive were conceptualized in five pathways. Major recommendation of the study is to empower families to address the sexual health and rights of its members.