Bisexual Communities and Cultures in Costa Rica

The authors 1989/90 exploration of HIV/AIDS-related beliefs and practices of self-identified bisexuals men in prison who have sex with other men and men who are lovers of transvestites has determined that a wide range of behaviorally bisexual men in Costa Rica practice unsafe sex with both male and female partners. While self-identified bisexual men have reasonably good knowledge of HIV and AIDS they continue to expose themselves and their partners to the risk of infection having more unprotected sex with males and females than exclusively homosexual men. The belief that vaginal sex is relatively safe intimacy trust and the perceived difficulty of introducing condom use into an ongoing relationship are factors which impede their condom use with women. In prison the absence of prison policy on HIV prevention and the nonavailability of condoms as well as perceptions of masculinity and femininity encourage the practice of unsafe sex between men. Condom non-use is a symbol of trust and commitment between transvestites in the red light district of San Jose and their lovers something which distinguishes the regular partners of transvestites from clients. These findings are based upon questionnaire responses from 60 self-identified bisexuals; interview questionnaire and focus group data from openly homosexual male prisoners at La Reforma; and interview and questionnaire data from transvestites in San Joses red light district.