MSM (men who have sex with men) - meaning and definition
AlsoMSMmen who have sex with mengay and bisexual menGBMSM
Definition
A public-health term for men who have sex with men, regardless of how they identify. It describes behaviour, not identity.
At a glance
- A public-health term for men who have sex with men.
- Describes behaviour, not identity.
- Includes men who identify as gay, bisexual, straight or with no label.
- Used in research, STI testing and HIV prevention, for example advice about PrEP and vaccination.
- People rarely use it about themselves outside health settings.
In detail
MSM is used in research, STI testing and HIV prevention because it includes men who do not call themselves gay or bisexual, such as men who identify as straight or who are on the down-low. Health advice, for example about PrEP or vaccination, is often aimed at this group.
Because it focuses on behaviour, MSM is not an identity label and people rarely use it about themselves outside health settings.
In a sentence
- The clinic leaflet explained which vaccines are offered to MSM.
- The study recruited MSM regardless of whether they identified as gay, bisexual or straight.
Where the word comes from
Came into use in public-health research in the early 1990s, during the HIV epidemic, to reach men whose behaviour mattered for prevention even if they did not identify as gay or bisexual.
Not to be confused with
- WLW and MLM
MLM (men loving men) is an identity-focused community term, not a health category.
Common questions
Why do health services use MSM instead of gay?
Because health advice depends on behaviour, not identity. Using MSM makes sure men who do not call themselves gay or bisexual still get relevant information about testing, PrEP and vaccines. A sexual health clinic can explain which services apply to you.
Is MSM an identity?
No. It is a category used in research and health services. Most people describe themselves with words such as gay, bisexual or queer instead.