Responses from the lesbian & gay psychology section to Crossley's 'Making sense of 'barebacking''

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to summarize key responses to Crossley's (2004) article `Making sense of barebacking' from members of the British Psychological Society's Lesbian & Gay Psychology Section. These responses are assembled into four main themes: (1) terminology, including descriptions of sexual behaviour that are inaccurate and pejorative; (2) representations that endorse culturally dominant and stigmatizing stereotypes of gay men as hedonistic, promiscuous, morally irresponsible and interested in sex rather than relationships; (3) methodology, particularly the use of autobiographical and fictional accounts as reliable sources of data about HIV risk; (4) ethics, especially the infringement of the dignity and the worth of those researched or represented. We welcome attempts to address the continuing problems of HIV/AIDS but recommend that authors and editors enter into dialogue with colleagues who are members of sexual minority communities as part of the research process.