Here, there, everywhere: The relational geographies of chemsex

Feliciantonio, Cesare Di

doi:10.1111/tran.12603

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…The experience of abuse and HIV led RD to feel like a ‘complete failure’ (a term used several times across the interviews) towards his family and friends. Despite a precarious job and a modest income, he convinced himself that buying a house through a mortgage would have given him some sort of social redemption, making him more responsible, especially towards sexualized drug use (years before the panic discourse around the ‘chemsex epidemic’, see Stuart, 2013; for a geographical analysis of chemsex, see Di Feliciantonio, 2023). Critical scholarship in human geography has shown how indebtedness (which homeownership increasingly relies on) ‘is immediately subjective , i.e.…”

Section: A Life Shaped By Crises: Rdmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I guess I really survived many crises’: On the benefits of longitudinal ethnographic research

Feliciantonio

2023

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Self Cite

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Building on my ongoing ethnographic research with people living with HIV in different European countries, the paper focuses on RD, a Catalan man I have interviewed three times since 2014. In RD's life narrative, ‘crisis’ is a recurring theme including both the most blatant forms, like the severe housing crisis in Spain that followed the global financial crisis, and the most ordinary ones like domestic violence. Analysing the impact of crises in RD's perception and experience of the present, interwoven with the past(s) and the future(s), the paper discusses two main benefits of longitudinal ethnographic research. First, it allows to capture how crisis is not just a moment or a phase in RD's life, but acts as context generating a recurring experience of an ‘uncanny present’ shaped by logics of return and repetition of the past, and anticipation of the future. Second, it supports RD's self‐awareness around his ability to navigate the unknown when experiencing the ‘uncanny present’; this highlights the ethical care dimension entailed by such methodology.

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Section: A Life Shaped By Crises: Rdmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I guess I really survived many crises’: On the benefits of longitudinal ethnographic research

Feliciantonio

2023

Area

Self Cite

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“…The importance of research regarding the links between health, gender, and sexuality would appear to be both self-evident and vital. After all it is well understood that certain groups with same-sex desire are often at increased risk of various health-related concerns, including sexually transmitted infections especially among men – a topic that has remained relatively dominant in the field (Brown 1995, 1997; Brown and Di Feliciantonio 2022; Brown and Knopp 2010, 2014; Catungal et al, 2021, 2023; Kearns 2016; McKinnon et al, 2017; Myers 2010; Tucker 2020; Wilton 1996). Furthermore, it is understood that health concerns related closely to place-specific and yet complex, intersectional, and varied experiences of homoprejudice and gender-based violence and injustice remain a key set of challenges to overcome across the life-course (Datta 2016; Davies et al, 2018; Dyck 2003; Fluri and Piedalue 2017; Lewis 2009, 2014; Mkhize and Maharaj 2021; Sothern and Dyck, 2010; Sweet and Ortiz Escalante 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographies of gender and sexuality II: Charting scholarship on health

Tucker

2024

Progress in Human Geography

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Health has become a key focus for scholarship within the geographies of gender and sexualities. This progress report offers a schematic overview of the multiple ways in which the study of health (and especially disease and the lack of good health) has been studied in relation to such geographies. It explores the multiple ways in which an understanding of place has been operationalised, considers the potential importance still for large-scale quantitative studies, and highlights the importance of studies of health for broader debates and interests within the discipline. This progress report then concludes with some questions for future scholarship.

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“…Studies have also shown that chemsex practices vary among different places and communities, influencing the choice of drugs used and the specific sexual practices involved. Cultural, social, and demographic factors can contribute to variations in chemsex practices, such as the availability and preferences for certain drugs, local norms and attitudes toward drug use and sexuality, and the influence of peer networks [9]. While the term "chemsex" was originally coined to describe a specific phenomenon within the MSM population, recent studies, drawing from clinical data, have expanded the use of the term to incorporate populations of various sexual orientations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Characteristics of Chemsex: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Bellomi,

Manenti,

Gheda

et al. 2023

Eur Addict Res

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Introduction: Chemsex has been defined until now as the use of specific psychoactive substances during sexual activities in men who have sex with men (MSM) contexts to facilitate, enhance, and prolong the experience. Many studies have investigated this phenomenon in specific communities, such as MSM, or have explored the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of chemsex in an Italian group and describe its main characteristics. Additionally, the study aimed to suggest prevention strategies addressing the risks associated with drug use. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study. The survey was conducted among 1,828 individuals residing in Italy. Data were collected through a self-completed online survey consisting of 44 questions. Results: 248 people (13.6%) disclosed that they had practiced chemsex, 89 of which (35.9%) were female. Moreover, 13 people (5%) defined themselves as addicted to chemsex; 173 people (69.8%) would like to have more information about the risks related to chemsex, and 79 people (31.8%) would like to talk about this to a professional working in the addiction field. Discussion: The prevalence found in our Italian survey is consistent with findings from other studies. Notably, our survey reveals the presence of chemsex among women. Our results emphasize the necessity for a more comprehensive understanding of chemsex, highlighting the significance of engaging specialized services such as addiction units, STD outpatient clinics, and mental health services. These healthcare facilities can effectively share information and implement risk prevention campaigns focused on chemsex.

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Here, there, everywhere: The relational geographies of chemsex

Abstract: I laugh when guys on Grindr tell me 'I don't do drugs', then we meet and they get high as shit. (Gab,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45) London, personal interview)

Cited by 10 publications

References 92 publications

‘I guess I really survived many crises’: On the benefits of longitudinal ethnographic research

‘I guess I really survived many crises’: On the benefits of longitudinal ethnographic research

Geographies of gender and sexuality II: Charting scholarship on health

Prevalence and Characteristics of Chemsex: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

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