BACKGROUND: In response to increasing rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Seattle & King County, a task force including community members, HIV/AIDS professionals, and health department staff authored "A Community Manifesto: A New Response to HIV and STDs." The manifesto emphasized both personal and collective responsibility for gay and bisexual men to stop the spread of STDs. METHODS: The manifesto was published in local media over a 15-month period. We conducted a survey (via Web, mail-in, and street intercept), focus groups, and a community forum to evaluate the impact of the manifesto among Seattle & King County MSM. RESULTS: Most respondents supported the manifesto and reported that it made them think about their sexual behaviors; more than 25 percent reported changing sexual behavior as a result of the manifesto, but the document generated several controversies. CONCLUSIONS: Publicly declaring values associated with sexual behavior and attempting to establish and reinforce sexual norms within MSM communities can cause controversy; however, such efforts may increase awareness, dialogue, and behavior change at a community level and be important for increasing awareness and behaviors that demonstrate collective care and responsibility among MSM.
BACKGROUND: In response to increasing rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Seattle & King County, a task force including community members, HIV/AIDS professionals, and health department staff authored "A Community Manifesto: A New Response to HIV and STDs." The manifesto emphasized both personal and collective responsibility for gay and bisexual men to stop the spread of STDs. METHODS: The manifesto was published in local media over a 15-month period. We conducted a survey (via Web, mail-in, and street intercept), focus groups, and a community forum to evaluate the impact of the manifesto among Seattle & King County MSM. RESULTS: Most respondents supported the manifesto and reported that it made them think about their sexual behaviors; more than 25 percent reported changing sexual behavior as a result of the manifesto, but the document generated several controversies. CONCLUSIONS: Publicly declaring values associated with sexual behavior and attempting to establish and reinforce sexual norms within MSM communities can cause controversy; however, such efforts may increase awareness, dialogue, and behavior change at a community level and be important for increasing awareness and behaviors that demonstrate collective care and responsibility among MSM.
Authors: Sabina Hirshfield; Mary Ann Chiasson; Heather Joseph; Roberta Scheinmann; Wayne D Johnson; Robert H Remien; Francine Shuchat Shaw; Reed Emmons; Gary Yu; Andrew D Margolis Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-10-02 Impact factor: 3.240