Biomedical HIV prevention and sexuality: mediations among bodies, technologies, and self-care

Abstract

Guided by studies on the changes resulting from the biomedical shift in responses to AIDS in the last decade, we organized a Dossier with the purpose of contributing to a critical reflection on contemporary responses to HIV supported by prevention technologies, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Based on the understanding that there is no autonomy or externality of technologies in relation to social life, four articles were brought together capable of broadening the debate on the mediations between biomedical technologies for HIV prevention and sexuality, highlighting their importance for understanding the historical changes in the epidemic. In this sense, priority was given to discussions about the meanings of such technologies and the semantic shifts they operate, the historical context of their production, the ways of governing bodies, desires and pleasures they give rise to; as well as the processes and agents that act in the mediations with sexuality.