Public Sex in a Latin Society Books In Print
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Public Sex in a Latin Society

Haworth Hispanic/Latino Press, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY, 13904-1580. 190p., bibliog., index. ISBN 1-56023-985-9, 1-56023-986-7pbk. $49.95, $19.95pbk..
Jacobo Schifter. 2000.

The main mission of the Latin American Health and Prevention Institute in studying public sex in the Latin society "was to investigate patterns of gay behavior in order to take effective prevention measures against HIV infection." It has never denounced public sex nor sought to persecute those who practice it. Instead, they believe "that public sex provides a number of opportunities that enable a sector of the population to work through certain problems of sexual communication and even to learn about safe sex."

This is a book that does not hold back on how the men tell their story using a language that may be coarse and rude to sensitive ears. The authors believe "it is better to portray them as they really are, without the terrible censorship of their language that is so characteristic of Latin American social science." This is an excellent book and one that should help greatly in AIDS education in the Latin communities where the Church and social protocols work against the gay men. More research needs to be conducted in this area in order to understand how public sex can work in a positive manner rather than in a negative manner. This is a recommended book for all academic libraries and large public libraries. It should be in all libraries that serve Latinos.

Keywords: Costa Rica; Gay Men; Sexual Behavior; Public Spaces; Health Aspects; Safe Sex in AIDS PreventionKWDcostarica;gaymen;sexualbehavior;publicspaces;healthaspects;safesexinaidsprevention
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