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August 15, 2012, St. John’s, Antigua–Almost one in four Caribbean men who took part in a recent study described themselves as bisexual.
The findings were among preliminary results in the regionwide Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey (CARIMIS).
“We have a fair population in the Caribbean that identify as bisexual. Across the entire sample … about 20 to 23 per cent say they are bisexual,” facilitator of the CARIMIS project and director of UNAIDS, Caribbean Regional Support Team, Ernest Massiah said.
The CARIMIS study is being touted as the “largest sample” of the Caribbean MSM (men who have sex with men) population of its kind, done via Internet—surveying 2,560 men throughout 33 territories in the region.
Massiah also revealed that 15 per cent of the men did not define themselves in any category. Although they engaged in sexual activity with other men, they “do not want a label”, he said.
According to the director, the most “shocking” aspect of the study involves the amount of physical and verbal abuse and visual intimidation levied against MSMs in their respective countries.
“What we are seeing across the region is that between five and 10 per cent of people have been assaulted because they were perceived to have a different sexual orientation,” Massiah said.
In some nations half of the MSM population identified with being verbally abused and visually intimidated.
“What we are seeing is that as a society, if you have a sexual orientation that is perceived as different, you can be physically abused and in a lot of cases you receive verbal abuse,” he said.
For the first time, the study identified a new population of men – the educated MSM man.
“We are getting a population that we have not been able to get data from before, that is men with secondary and tertiary level education. We have a very educated sample here,” the director said.
Previously, face-to-face surveys were the norm, but only accessed “certain members” of the MSM population. Massiah said that the use of the Internet and redefining their target populations was the key to the survey’s success.
“It is a good way of doing research because you can get to people in a much quicker way than you would have if you tried to do an interview with an individual person,” he added.
The study’s results will be given to governments of participating nations to help develop policies and initiatives that will protect and service the MSM community.
The UNAIDS-funded initiative was launched online last November and concluded in June.
The MSM population is defined by the survey not only as openly gay men but also men who do not self-identify as gay or bisexual but participate in sexual activities with other men. The survey is being implemented throughout the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries.
Editor’s note:
The survey inquired about the lives of the Caribbean’s MSM (men who have sex with men) community. During an editorial rewrite of the headline and first sentence, the initial meaning was inadvertently obscured. This was not the fault of the reporter. The above story has since been updated and the editor apologises for any inconvenience.
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For over six months more than 3,500 Caribbean men who have sex with men (MSM) confided about their sex lives. They did so while seated at their computers. From Suriname to St Lucia, the US Virgin Island to Haiti, Cuba to Belize, 33 countries and territories were represented.
UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team Director, Dr Ernest Massiah, presented preliminary findings of this study at the Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF) Pre-Conference meeting at the FHI 360 Headquarters Building in Washington DC.
Massiah explained that the Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey (CARIMIS) received part-funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Technical support came from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The study set out to do something no traditional face-to-face survey could. It aimed to include the men that researchers wouldn’t typically reach. These include the types who never go to gay parties and aren’t among “community” networks.
The men who responded to CARIMIS embody the diversity of the region. Every single religion was counted—from Baptist to Baha’i, Catholic to Church of God. So too was every race.
Typical MSM surveys haven’t attracted much participation from highly educated men. This one did, with more than three-quarters of the sample having had some post-secondary education.
For the first time in the Caribbean, the possibility of using the internet to reach so varied a population was tested. The premise? The internet provides opportunities for social and sexual networking.
Only 25 per cent of respondents had ever had contact with a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community organisation. A mere 28 per cent had gone to a gay-friendly social space like a club or café. But 85 per cent connected with other MSM online.
One of the lessons CARIMIS will ultimately teach is whether the Caribbean could viably conduct behavioural studies on the internet with other hard-to-reach groups such as sex workers.
The wide-ranging questionnaire sought to determine men’s HIV risk as well as their access to prevention, testing and treatment services. It started by seeking insight into the complex issues of identity and openness in Caribbean societies. The survey asked men who they’re sexually attracted to with options reflecting the full spectrum of human sexuality, including degrees of attraction to both men and women.
Significantly, just under a quarter of the sample also have sex with women. What do they call themselves? Gay? Bi? Homosexual? 15 per cent of respondents didn’t think of their sexuality in any of these terms.
The survey tried to find out how many Caribbean MSM are living their lives in relative secrecy, and what impact this might have on their happiness and access to healthcare services. Overall there was limited disclosure. Just over half of all respondents indicated that either few people or nobody knows that they are attracted to men.
Participants were asked whether they are happy with their sex lives. If not, why not? Concerns ranged from interpersonal relationships to health. One key finding was that being more open often increased men’s vulnerability to verbal and physical abuse.
The range of questions on HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were about access to information, awareness of status, experience of confidentiality and adherence to treatment.
The frequency and nature of sexual contact, condom-use and sexual decision-making were also investigated.
Thousands of Caribbean men made the investment of time and honesty to contribute to a better understanding of their lives.
Final results will first be shared with the community at country and regional level before generating key messages for the full spectrum of stakeholders.
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This was a much better written article. Still, the verisimilitude of the results of this survey seem a little low due to the relatively small sample. 33 territories? Then did they just interview MSMs or did they interview heterosexual men as well? Was this to discover how many men are attracted to men or the HIV risks? If it’s the first, then the lead of this article was maybe misleading, considering the sample.
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THE HEADING IS INCORRECT. THE SMAPLE HAD 20% IDENTIFYING AS BISEXUAL.
IT WAS NEVER SAID THAT 1 IN 4 CARIBBEAN MEN ARE BISEXUAL.
THIS IS BAD JOURNALISM. SENSATIONALISM TO SELL NEWSPAPERS.
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Ah, “Simple Maths” is correct. But why the number of ‘gay’ men (to use the term lightly) who actually identify as bisexual is newsworthy I don’t know.
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Never. No one in Antigua does these things.
Do They?????????????
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People, the population surveyed is MSMs (Men who have Sex with Men), and of those 20 to 23 percent report that they also have sex with women. The headline does not reflect what Massiah told the reporter. And lest you think I am Massiah, let me also point out that “20 to 23 percent” means he hasn’t done his math and is just making a guess. Sigh.
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I really doubt this Survey……
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Considering the world average is closer to 2-3%, compared to this study that shows 20-23% in this very homophobic area of the world, I have doubts about the method used to do this survey.
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