SER GAY, VIVER COM HIV E RESISTIR: NARRATIVAS DE SOFRIMENTO E CUIDADO NO CONTEXTO BRASILEIRO

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.378122507048

• Palavras-chave: HIV/AIDS; minorias sexuais e de gênero; estigma relacionado ao HIV; homossexualidade; estudo qualitativo

• Keywords: HIV/AIDS; sexual and gender minorities; HIV-related stigma; homosexuality; qualitative study

• Abstract: We investigated the experiences of Brazilian gay men with HIV, focusing on the moment of diagnosis and its potential biopsychosocial impacts. This clinical-qualitative study involved 15 participants interviewed online and synchronously by a clinical psychologist in 2021. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The interpretations were based on Minority Stress Theory. Four thematic axes emerged, including “Diagnostic disclosure”, “Social and internalized stigma”, “Biopsychosocial effects of living with HIV” and “Gratitude for advances in treatment and the Brazilian health system”. The diagnosis was often experienced as traumatic, exacerbated by the lack of empathy and emotional support from health professionals. Participants commonly reported guilt, fear upon learning of their HIV status, social isolation, loneliness, lack of social support and damage to affective-sexual relationships. Many also noted a decline in mental health, even those without HIV-related medical complications. Despite more than 40 years since the start of the HIV epidemic, the prevalence of homophobia and serophobia among gay men remains widespread, even within the multidisciplinary teams of specialized services. This indicates that the stigma associated with homosexuality and HIV persists, despite significant biomedical progress in the diagnosis and treatment of the infection, especially in Brazil.