The Basics
The Basics is an introduction to Party and Play (PnP) for social services and healthcare providers, researchers, and anyone new to the topic of PnP. The Basics offers a synthesis of various peer-reviewed journal articles and community articles worldwide on PnP. Readers will become familiar with the PnP terminology, language, and sub-cultures of men who have sex with men and how to engage them in PnP discussion. The reader will learn about the possible drugs interactions between various drugs and substances used in PnP.
Additionally, we will explore different types of methods and programs to initiative a 101 of harm reduction in the context of PnP. The contents in The Basics provide readers a sound foundation to learn more and how to apply the learning in a professional setting while building skills in providing culturally competent care for clients who inquire about PnP or use PnP.
Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list of journal articles and community news on Party and Play. At the GMSH, we strive for the last evidence-based information for our readers. If you know of journal articles and community articles on PnP and would like GMSH to review and showcase the contents, please email us at office@gmsh.ca
The provider perception inventory: Psychometrics of a scale designed to measure provider stigma about HIV, substance abuse, and MSM behavior
This research discusses the perceptions, attitudes, beliefs of healthcare providers that impact the stigma for the MSM population. A provider perception inventory (PPI) of 39-item scale has been developed to explore healthcare providers’ stigma toward HIV, substance use and MSM behaviour.
Current Research on Methamphetamine: Epidemiology, Medical and Psychiatric Effects, Treatment, and Harm Reduction Efforts
Methamphetamine is widely used and has a high prevalence of use and abuse. The heavy use and high dose of methamphetamine used results in neurobiological deficiencies, which cause negative health outcomes. It is administered via intranasal, smoking, oral, and injected. Methamphetamine use has implications for psychiatric care, dental, medical, and STBBIs. The research explores the efficacy of various treatments for methamphetamine addictions.
Party and play in Canada: What is its impact on gay men’s health?
The resource by CATIE, is an essential guide to learning more about party and play (PnP) or the sexualized use of substance by some gay, bi, men who have sex with men. It discusses the why, who, what, the prevalence in Canada and tips for service providers when working with PnP clients.
Chemsex: origins of the word, a history of the phenomena and respect to the culture
This article is a great read for all who want to learn more about the origins of chemsex. David Stuart describes the history, cultural context of chemsex and how it is unique to gay, bi, men who sex with men (GBMSM). He explores further the systemic oppressions of homophobia that create the unique challenges for GBMSM in the era of dating apps, hook-ups, and the trauma of HIV/AIDS. Chemsex may be a coping strategy for some, but it also empowers other GBMSM to enjoy pleasure, intimacy, and gay sex and find access to services that validate their identity and health care needs.
Goodyear, T., Numer, M., Coulaud, P.J., Mniszak, C., Schwartz, C. (2019). What’s the T on PnP. Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility
At the summit on Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility, the panel of researchers answers the questions on substance use, consent at Party and Play, and policy implications. The questions are on contamination of popper (amyl nitrite), the ability to give consent when using drugs, and the steps to move drug use into a health perspective and drug use policy.
Gavin Bejaimal presents on Exploring Satisfaction Among Guys who Party and Play. The Investigators: Addressing Queer & Trans Knowledge Gaps Through Community Based Research
In this presentation, Gavin provides an overview of the history of gay, bi, men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and their relationship with substance use. The research question for this presentation was, “Do gay guys who engage in PnP (chemsex) feel more satisfied with the community than guys who do not?”
ChemSex and Hepatitis C: A Guide for Healthcare Providers
Directed toward all service providers working with men who have sex with men (MSM) who PnP, this comprehensive guide from the UK overviews the intersections between crystal use and HCV, recognizing how a disproportionate HCV burden may be faced by MSM living with HIV who PnP. As well, the case studies and exemplar discussion questions included make this guide highly practical and user-friendly.
Chemsex Training: Substance Use and Sexual Activity Among Gay Men and Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
Although extrapolated from the Australian context, this training module serves as a comprehensive introduction to PnP for all service providers, however, is perhaps most relevant for traditional drug services. The module covers important queer-related history to establish the current PnP-related situation, outlining key terminology and concepts.
Treatment Approaches for Users of Methamphetamine: A Practical Guide for Frontline Workers
This practical guide from Australia is tailored toward frontline workers and harm reductionists, and relies on research, national and international guidelines and expert opinions to inform best practices for working with folks who use methamphetamines. The guide can be extrapolated to inform service provision for working with gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who PnP.
Chemsex101: Everything You Wanted to Know (But Didn’t Know Who to Ask)
This easy-to-read and straightforward toolkit is recommended for clinicians, front-line staff and counsellors, and is equally beneficial for MSM and sex workers who PnP. Organizations can adapt this toolkit to serve diverse clients following a client-centered model to reduce stigma, shame, discrimination, and barriers for MSM and sex workers who PnP.
