Invisible Victims

Addressing the Sexual and Health Consequences of Stealth Breeding for Brazilian Gay Men

Bibliographic Data

ID3608824
AuthorsWendell Ferrari (0000-0002-4597-5309, Universidade do Porto), Pedro Alexandre Costa (0000-0001-9826-9881, Universidade do Porto), Marcia Thereza Couto (0000-0001-5233-4190, Faculty of Medicine of University of São Paulo), Monique Nascimento (0000-0002-3363-4232, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz), Marcos Nascimento (Fernandes Figueira Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation)
Year2025
Pages1-22
Publication date2025-03-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2025.2480766
PMID40131368
OpenAlexW4408880059
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited36

Stealth breeding is the act in which a man removes a condom during sexual intercourse without the consent of the male partner. This paper explores the context of stealth breeding among gay men in Brazil. Through in-depth interviews with ten gay men who have experienced stealthing, this study highlights its sexual and mental health consequences. The participants, aged 21-49, reside in urban areas of Brazil. Using thematic analysis, the results indicate the dynamics and consequences of stealth breeding, including the decision to seek post-exposure prophylaxis the following day, the reporting of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, the emergence of mental health concerns, and the lack of support from professionals and institutions. This phenomenon has resulted in a significant gap in scientific, legal, and social awareness, which requires urgent attention at the national and global levels. Understanding stealth breeding would assist in the development of preventive strategies, particularly among gay men, thus meriting increased clinical and research attention

Criminology · Homosexuality · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Male Homosexuality · Men who have sex with men · Queer · Reproductive health · Sociology · Syphilis · Demography · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Virology