‘Men who have sex with men’ and the corresponding acronym ‘MSM’ refer to all men who engage in homosexual behaviour, regardless of gender identity, motivation for engaging in sex, or identification with any particular ‘community’. The words ‘man’ and ‘sex’ are interpreted differently in diverse cultures and societies as well as by the individuals involved. As a result, the term MSM covers a large variety of settings and contexts in which male to-male sex takes place. The term ‘gay’ is used by some people to refer to a sexual identity that they apply to themselves and other men that is based on the sex they have with other men.   Download this document.