Is an inclusive public health construct used to define the sexual behaviours of males who have sex with other males, regardless of the motivation for engaging in sex or identification with any or no particular “community”. The words “man” and “sex” are interpreted differently in diverse cultures and societies, as well as by the individuals involved. As a result, the term men who have sex with men covers a large variety of settings and contexts in which male-to-male sex takes place. Perhaps the most important distinction to make is one between men who share a non-heterosexual identity (i.e. gay, homosexual, bisexual or other culture-specific concepts that equate with attraction to other men) and men who view themselves as heterosexual but who engage in sex with other males for various reasons (e.g. isolation, economic compensation, sexual desire, gender scripts) (WHO, UNDP, UNAIDS, MSMGF, 2011).
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