open access publication

Article, 2023

The workings of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) citizenship amongst queer men in Denmark

In: Kvinder Køn & Forskning, ISSN 0907-6182, 2245-6937, 1, Pages 102-117, 10.7146/kkf.v35i1.133799

Contributors (2)

Primdahl, Nina Langer [1] Skovdal, Morten (0000-0002-2068-1814) [1]

Affiliations

  1. [1] University of Copenhagen
  2. [NORA names: KU University of Copenhagen; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]

Abstract

In 2019, oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a HIV prevention pill, was made available for ‘at-risk’ populations in Denmark, with uptake primarily seen amongst men who have sex with men. While PrEP has revolutionised HIV prevention by simultaneously providing sexual freedom and protection from HIV, it is accompanied by firm medical and social surveillance, through which, some commentators argue, PrEP citizenships are produced. This article draws on visual ethnographic data to explore how PrEP users in Denmark experience and reflect on the types of ‘work’ involved with, and moralities arising from, this PrEP citizenship. We argue that PrEP citizenship is contingent on the resources and abilities of individuals to proactively engage with this ‘work’ and balance the moral ambiguities of PrEP in relation to both local communities and their obligations concerning the Danish welfare state.

Keywords

Danish welfare state, Denmark, Denmark experience, HIV, HIV prevention, PrEP, PrEP users, ability, ability of individuals, ambiguity, article, citizenship, commentators, community, data, ethnographic data, experience, freedom, individuals, local communities, men, moral ambiguity, morality, obligations, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, pills, population, pre-exposure prophylaxis, prevention, prophylaxis, protection, queer men, relation, resources, risk, sex, sexual freedom, social surveillance, state, surveillance, types, uptake, users, welfare state, work, working