Armed conflict, homonegativity and forced internal displacement: implications for HIV among Colombian gay, bisexual and transgender individuals

Abstract

Colombia has endured six decades of civil unrest, population displacement, and violence. We examined the relationships of contextual conditions, displacement, and HIV among gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in Bogotá, Colombia. Nineteen key informants provided information about internal displacement of sexual minorities. Life history interviews were conducted with 42 participants aged 18 to 48 years, and included questions about displacement experiences, sexual behaviour, life prior to displacement, and participants’ economic and social situation in Bogotá. The interplay of a variety of factors—including internal conflict and violence, homonegativity and “social cleansing,” gender and sexual identity, and poverty—strongly shaped the varied experiences of displacement. Migration, sexual violence, exchange sex, and low rates of HIV testing were risk factors that increased vulnerability for HIV in this displaced sample. Although displacement and HIV in Colombia are major problems, both are understudied.

Gender Affirmation and Body Modification Among Transgender Persons in Bogotá, Colombia

“…The data for this investigation came from a larger study examining HIV prevalence, sexual behavior, and attitudes toward circumcision among Colombian gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and men who have sex with men (MSM) (Bianchi et al, 2014; Reisen et al, 2014; Zea et al, 2013, 2015). The original study included an initial qualitative phase, followed by a quantitative phase.…”

Estigma y salud mental en personas víctimas del conflicto armado interno colombiano en situación de desplazamiento forzado

“…Igualmente, algunas VCAISD agregaron complejos estigma-discriminación asociados al género, la orientación sexual o cumplir criterios de trastorno mental, esto es, la configuración de la dimensión estigma-discriminación intersectorial [32][33][34] . Desde la perspectiva de salud pública, el estigma relacionado con trastornos mentales en las VCAISD toma una relevancia adicional 32 .…”

Mixed Methods Research With Internally Displaced Colombian Gay and Bisexual Men and Transwomen

“…In keeping with this definition, we also considered as displaced those individuals who were forced to leave their home areas because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status, because these factors stemmed from human rights violations (Zea et al, 2013). …”

“…Each life history interview was coded by four team members working in teams of two; the fifth researcher reviewed the coding done by the two teams of coders to identify discrepancies between groups, and the team met via Skype to resolve discrepancies (Zea et al, 2013). …”