The real reason men who have sex with men are at high risk of HIV

Everyone deserves equal access to HIV prevention and care – but not everyone gets it, as UNAIDS’ latest figures show. 

Gay men and other men who have sex with men are 23 times more likely to get HIV than the general population. 

It is true that anal sex carries a higher risk of HIV for men than vaginal sex. But a far bigger risk to gay men’s health are the laws, stigma and discrimination that push them into the shadows and away from health services.

In a statement to mark the International day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May, UNAIDS said: “Despite gains in the HIV response, LGBTQI+ communities continue to be left behind. While new HIV infections have dropped 35% among adults globally since 2010, they have risen by 11% among gay men and by 3% among trans people. 

“Stigma, discrimination and criminalization, as well as restrictions on the ability for community organizations to form and operate, act as barriers to accessing essential healthcare.”

The damaging impact of stigma on men who have sex with men

It is unsurprising that the threat of imprisonment, harassment and discrimination stop many men who have sex with men from visiting a sexual health or HIV service.

And if you can’t get information about how to have safer sex, or prevention tools like lube, condoms and PrEP, or testing and treatment services, you are much more likely to get HIV than people who can access these things.

That’s why stigma, discrimination and criminalisation are the fires that fuel the HIV epidemic and put public health at risk. But there are things all of us can do to defeat the threat that stigma poses. 

How you can provide stigma-free services 

If you are committed to improving sexual health, it is important to help everyone understand what HIV prevention and treatment options are available to them, without judgement. And this includes men who have sex with men.

Not sure where to start? These sexual health tips for men who have sex with men will help you provide accurate, confidential and stigma-free support. 

Our page on providing inclusive sexual healthcare for LGBT+ people has practical advice on the topics to discuss and the kind of language to use, as does our page on making HIV services friendlier for gay men.