Abstract
AIDS as an epidemic has evolved from a terminal illness to a chronic condition resulting in HIV prevention efforts being altered and reevaluated to meet the changing trends in HIV infection. These campaigns are generally targeted toward confirmed high-risk populations and typically fail to include the realities of certain populations, such as bisexual individuals. In HIV Prevention and Bisexual Realities, Namaste and her colleagues strive to address this gap in Canada’s public health not only by questioning the failure of a collective response for HIV/AIDS education among bisexuals but also by involving such individuals to provide insights into HIV and sexual health education. This is most beneficial to their needs and thereafter developing appropriate prevention material for dissemination.
This engaging text presents a detailed and thorough review of HIV/AIDS research, policies, and services that have been shaped by the epidemiology of the illness that has historically underestimated and effaced references to bisexuals. The authors accurately illustrate the exclusion of bisexuals from research on the basis of the mainstream overemphasis on behavioral identification that typically fails to allow participants to define their own sexuality. They present examples of how research involving men who have sex with men usually leads to an exclusive concentration on aspects of same-sex encounters with disregard for female partners. Bisexual women are often limited to their heterosexual encounters during prevention campaigns as a result of the low documented transmission rates for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in female-to-female partnerships.
Qualitative research with members of the target population captures insights into their HIV prevention needs. The participants include women, swinger couples, and others who have sexual relations with both men and women but do not necessarily identify as bisexual. This reviewer considers the characteristics of the population included in the study to be well chosen because it allows a more accurate reflection of individuals who have sex with both men and women but who may not necessarily confine themselves to society’s definition of how they should be classified on the basis of their sexuality. The research by Namaste and her associates, formally known as Project Polyvalence, resulted in the development of original material that is more relevant to those who have sexual relationships with both men and women. The book’s fresh content presents examples of these materials, including posters and billboard samples, and details of the website that was constructed to provide information on the symptoms of HIV to STD, treatment, and links to care services through other key resources within the community.
The book is likely to appeal to those who are involved with HIV prevention, research, and advocacy as well as women’s health and human sexuality. Overall, the authors have challenged the traditional options for HIV prevention by presenting an alternative approach to meet the unique needs of bisexuals. As with the social work adage of “starting where the client is,” this book undeniably introduces readers to intimate aspects of the realities of bisexuals. It is a perfect example of action-based research in university-based scholarship.