Safe on Blued? A Qualitative Exploration of Sex, Risk, and Stigma on a Gay Social Application in China

Abstract

Introduction Mobile dating apps emerged with the development of technology, for example, Blued in China, becoming a new risk field for gay men in the AIDS era. Users use social apps to chat online and date offline to achieve the satisfaction of lust or sexual practice, but the risk of AID looms over the whole process of using apps. Methods Nineteen interviewees were invited to participate in this study, which included gay men who were using or had used Blued. The content of the semi-structured interviews focused on the relationship between gay social apps and HIV risk. Results The study finds Blued interweaved with sex, risk, and stigma. Blued is sexualized due to sexual intentions and practices. There is also a sexual stratification of risk with Blued and its users based on socioeconomic factors. Users experience a dilemma between pursuing sex while being concerned about latent risk within a context of stigmatization. Conclusions Blued is sexualized in terms of the process of stimulating sexual gratification and facilitating sexual practices. The experience of Blued is an example of sexual stratification, and a structure of desire based on app users and app uses. Furthermore, the social stigma against men who have sex with men is transferred to Blued, which bears the stigma of “AIDS-Blued” with a dual stigma—HIV-related and homosexual stigma. However, with the authorized approval of Blued in public health, Blued could play an essential role in HIV/AIDS prevention and control.