To think MSM means MainStream Media?

[Dinosauria]

And not Men (who have) Sex with Men?

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/25/monkeypox-may-have-been-circulating-in-uk-for-years-scientists-say

Can we no longer say gay and bisexual men

Isn’t it both, which is why context is so important?

I did a degree which included epidemiology modules and MSM was a common term, meaning men who have sex with men. It's a scientifically precise term.

Maybe, I did Google it first as had never heard of it used like that. I know language changes but I don't understand the desire for obfuscation when dealing with sexuality.

Interesting cat I guess this covers all variations as some men who have sex with men may not consider themselves as bi/gay

It means both, in different context!

MSM in terms of sex is an accurate term, and has been around for years. "Gay" is a socially contructed label. Some men may not apply it to themselves, and some may be bisexual.

It's because it relates to disease transmission specifically via sex. Not all gay men have sex, and not all men who have sex with men are lgbt. Many male prostitutes for example are heterosexual but accept male clients. It also tries to avoid stigmatisation of the gay community.

It's a descriptive and helpful term in sexual health circles as it describes the behaviour not how the man identifies. And it's the behaviour that is linked to risk of STIs.

The thing about acronyms is that they can have more than one meaning.

For god's sake be careful if you search for BBC. It also means something else too..

But BBC and MSM aren't acronyms.

I remember the term men who have sex with men being on blood donation forms for decades, can’t get in a froth over it.