Towards a community-based research agenda on the experiences and HIV risk environment of men in the sex industry: The CHAPS Project

HIV incidence and prevalence in Canada continues to rise, with nearly half of existing and new infections occurring among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Commercial sex sexual networks can play a key role in the risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), due to heightened exposure and high-risk sexual activities within networks, and social and structural vulnerabilities of individuals involved in sex work. There is little known in the Canadian context about how gender and sexual orientation can influence HIV risk to male sex workers (MSWs) and sex buyers. Male sex workers who have sex with men may experience additional and unique forms of stigma and marginalization, including homophobia and transphobia. To date, research on sex work in Canada and globally has focused on female sex workers. This critical gap in existing knowledge MSWs (transgender inclusive) and sex buyers, has resulted in only a partial understanding of the lives and realities of men involved in the sex industry. We therefore propose to initiate the Community Health Assessment of Men Purchase and Sell Sex (CHAPS) Project, a community-based partnership between the Gender and Sexual Health Initiative (GSHI) and the HUSTLE Program of the Health Initiative for Men (HIM). The purpose of this catalyst grant is to develop the GSHI-HIM CBR partnership, conduct exploratory ethnographic mapping and pilot qualitative interviews to examine themes such as initiation into sex work/buying, sexual services provided/purchased, negotiation of condom use, gender and sexuality, and drug/alcohol use or abuse. In addition, community consultations as well as participatory analysis and knowledge translation activities will ensure that the voices of the men themselves are integrated into this qualitative work as well as the future research agenda. This research will be guided by the expertise and experience of HIM's peer-driven HUSTLE outreach program for male and trans sex workers.