ay groups rallied around a newly-named, but as yet largely-faceless, enemy.
In early 1980's Brazil, virtually no organized gay groups existed. No clear, urgent bell was sounded. There was less of an "us (gays) against it (the HIV virus) mentality than that found in the U.S. This is partly because Brazilians do not classify one's sexual identity on the basis of object choice. In terms of identification, one's active or passive role in a sexual relationship is more defining than one's choice of a same sex partner. In other words, a heterosexual male can still identify himself as heterosexual as long as he assumes the active role in a sexual relationship. Therefore, many Brazilians carrying on unsafe sexual practices did not consider themselves to be homosexual.
In sociological terms, Brazilians do not consider choice of a same sex partner to contribute to master status. Although a person usually holds many statuses at one time, one status often has far greater significance than any of the others. A master status is a status that has exceptionally great significance for shaping a person's entire life. A master status, therefore, is usually a crucial element of a person's self-concept and social identity.
As Macionis (1989) has pointed out, "For victims of acquired imm
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