Intersectional research on immigrant LGBT+ sex workers who live with HIV (PLWHIV) in Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: It can be assumed that some beliefs and practices of Islam protect against the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, although acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is no longer a fatal disease globally, the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is increasing due to social pressure in Muslim societies, stigmatization, and marginalization of HIV-positive individuals as well as parallel reasons, such as delay in diagnosis and treatment, and lack of disclosure. Material and methods: Since previous sociological studies on HIV are inadequate, the current study was conducted intersectionally within the framework of relational sociological basic principles. Ten LGBT+ immigrant HIV-positive individuals who live in Turkey and agreed to be interviewed were included in the study. Data regarding personalized stigma, negative perceptions, and public stigma were collected with in-depth interviews. These factors are stigma components, which are frequently used in quantitative research. Results: Participants from various Islamic countries, such as Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Iran were LGBT+ people with HIV who were sex workers. Classification of strategies for coping with their problems revealed that they had some rational choices, such as not disclosing their HIV-positive status and choosing older customers to reduce violence as well as psychological choices, including relaxing by praying. Conclusions: The negative changes that the participants experienced while learning they are HIV-positive and metaphors they used to describe HIV were shown to be culturally and sociologically dependent.