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. 2005 Jul;95(7):1144-9.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2004.046714. Epub 2005 Jun 16.

The trouble with "MSM" and "WSW": erasure of the sexual-minority person in public health discourse

Rebecca M Young  1 , Ilan H Meyer
Affiliations

The trouble with "MSM" and "WSW": erasure of the sexual-minority person in public health discourse

Rebecca M Young et al. Am J Public Health. 2005 Jul.

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW) are purportedly neutral terms commonly used in public health discourse. However, they are problematic because they obscure social dimensions of sexuality; undermine the self-labeling of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people; and do not sufficiently describe variations in sexual behavior.MSM and WSW often imply a lack of lesbian or gay identity and an absence of community, networks, and relationships in which same-gender pairings mean more than merely sexual behavior. Overuse of the terms MSM and WSW adds to a history of scientific labeling of sexual minorities that reflects, and inadvertently advances, heterosexist notions. Public health professionals should adopt more nuanced and culturally relevant language in discussing members of sexual-minority groups.

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Comment in

  • Usage of "MSM" and "WSW" and the broader context of public health research.
    Ford CL. Ford CL. Am J Public Health. 2006 Jan;96(1):9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.077321. Epub 2005 Nov 29. Am J Public Health. 2006. PMID: 16317194 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • The trouble with MSM.
    Khan S, Khan OA. Khan S, et al. Am J Public Health. 2006 May;96(5):765-6; author reply 766. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.084665. Epub 2006 Mar 29. Am J Public Health. 2006. PMID: 16571685 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • The importance of both sexual behavior and identity.
    Pathela P, Blank S, Sell RL, Schillinger JA. Pathela P, et al. Am J Public Health. 2006 May;96(5):765; author reply 766. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.079186. Epub 2006 Mar 29. Am J Public Health. 2006. PMID: 16571688 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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