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Abstract
Castration and vulnerability to HIV
By: N Muthukumar
South India AIDS Action Programme (Siaap), Chennai, India
Background:
In India men who have sex with men (MSMs) identify themselves as women. They under go castration to strongly express this identity. This causes physical and mental trauma and increases social discrimination. They are rejected by families, denied jobs and forced to sell sex. Castration and their subsequent life style makes them highly vulnerable to HIV.
Method:
In depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted with respondents from different parts of Tamilnadu 50 persons who are castrated, 20 key informants who are people who refer others for surgery, persons in favor of or against surgery and those who are planning to get castrated. 6 FGDs were conducted on impact of castration and alternatives to fulfill this passion.
Result:
95% men who undergo castration are rejected by their families. most leave homes and live with similar MSMs as adopted daughters who traffic them for sex. Selling sex, begging only means of daily living. 55% report reduce in sexual pleasure, 50% block in urethra.
Conclusion:
Castration may not be the best option for an MSM to identify as a woman. Organisations working with MSMs should promote a life style without the surgery which ensures non discriminative, safe environment.
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