Exploring how HIV/AIDS Organizations Combat Stigma and Discrimination Faced by the Gay men, Other men who have sex with men, and Transgender individuals (GMT) in the Dominican Republic

     Stigma and discrimination (S&D) are manifested on self, social, and structural levels that hinder the gay, other men who have sex with men, and transgender (GMT) community from accessing employment, health services,... [ view full abstract ]

     Stigma and discrimination (S&D) are manifested on self, social, and structural levels that hinder the gay, other men who have sex with men, and transgender (GMT) community from accessing employment, health services, treatment, and support on a global scale. In the Dominican Republic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a concentrated epidemic disproportionately affecting this community. This paper explores how two human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) organizations located in contrasting regions address stigma and discrimination faced by GMT through their outreach and programming. I conducted qualitative research via participant observation and 14 in-depth interviews with key actors, some of whom were members of the GMT community. Narrative analysis and systematic coding were used to identify major themes related to stigma reduction intervention methods and access to health services. I conclude that S&D are reduced through multilayered stigma approaches that are related to both HIV/AIDS and gender and sexual identity combined with self, social, and structural level responses lead by members of the marginalized community.