La transmission du VIH / sida : Risques et sentiments parmi des bisexuelles de Montréal

Abstract

Denise Medico, Joseph J. Lévy & Joanne Otis Transmitting HIV / AIDS : risks and feelings among the bisexual community in Montréal This article off ers a description of differential representations of risk in the face of HIV in a sample of bisexual women living in Montréal. In-depth interviews were carried out with 18 women aged 18 to 40 with bisexual behaviours and/or identifying themselves with such behaviour. The analysis of the data indicates that the perception of risk and protection practices depend mainly on the gender of the partners. In relations between women, an absence of perceived risk and safety behaviour is observed. These practices are centred on two representations. The first refers to the social function of sexuality and how it is controlled in relationships between women where HIV is perceived as being external to the group and where the sexuality of other women is controlled. Secondly, representations of female sexuality which are specific, external and self-merging, and which contribute to creating a feeling of immunity in sexual relationships between women. In the context of sexuality with men, the risk of transmission is generally referred to. However, the use of protection seems to depend mainly on aff ective, symbolic and relational referents. The results indicate that the build-up of risks does not only follow cognitive referents but calls into play aff ective and erotic dimensions which must be taken into account more fully in interventions.