MSM

MSM (Men having Sex with Men). Acronym. An inclusive term that describes men who have insertive or receptive sex with other men, including transgender or gender non-conforming people. MSM can refer to a range of sexual behaviors, and doesn’t necessarily mean anal sex. People who identify as MSM may identify as gay, bisexual, queer, non-binary, transgender, or heterosexual, or they may not identify as gay or have had sex with men yet. 

The term “MSM” originated around 1990 in HIV-related discourse, and the acronym was first used in 1994. It’s now commonly used in research communities, and some say it can be useful when used with specificity and can help draw attention to risk behaviors. However, others have criticized the term, saying it’s been misused to describe transgender people and that it hasn’t lived up to its potential. Some researchers have suggested looking for alternatives to “MSM” that are easier to implement