Symbolic Violence Experienced by the Masculine Homosexuals in the Health Services: Negotiating the Identity Over Stigma

The inclusion of the minority and the more vulnerable population in Brazil is still a challenge to the planners of the Unique Health System. This study had as objective to analyze how occurs the attending process to masculine homosexuals in the health services being sexually transmitted disease (STD) carriers, using the concepts of Bourdieu’s symbolic violence and Goffman’s stigma. It is a qualitative research with citizens assisted at a health unit reference for sexually transmitted disease and at a Non-governmental organization, in Fortaleza - CE. Data were collected by a semi-structured interview and the analysis made by the Content Analysis technique. It was evidenced many difficulties faced by the homosexuals to obtain attendance in the health services, although, some circumstances were referred as facilitative: others health units guiding, invitation by the sexual partner in case of STD/HIV/AIDS and the presence of some relative or acquaintance working at the unit. The difficulties in contacting the research subjects at the basic health unit, strongly indicated the existence of factors such as discrimination and symbolic violence, related to the stigma imputed to the homosexual especially when are with STD/Aids. It was concluded that the masculine homosexuals feel excluded and discriminated in primary health service units, looking for, in preference, to be assisted at the reference units for STD/Aids. There is a necessity of more studies related to the theme, aiming to contribute for the implantation of health politics that helps the inclusion and reception to this population in the general health services.