After a few months of ethnographic fieldwork at Clínica Condesa, I decided to attend several support groups offered there. In one session, after introducing myself to other participants, one young man approached me to ask me some questions about serodiscordant experiences. He was quite insistent on the efficacy of condoms in sexual intercourse among serodiscordant individuals, as well as about the possibilities to continue with romantic and erotic life after being diagnosed with HIV. More than fifteen people approached me to hve talks about similar subjects during my fiedlwork. Presenting myself as another group member allowed me to get in touch with people in serodiscordant relationships.
Field notebook
César Torres Cruz, "Fieldnote no. 2 - Taking part in HIV support groups", contributed by César Torres Cruz , STS Infrastructures, Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography, last modified 26 August 2019, accessed 23 April 2024. https://stsinfrastructures.org/content/fieldnote-no-2-taking-part-hiv-support-groups
Critical Commentary
Doing this was very relevant, since it let me know several dynamics of people living with HIV. I heard them about their fears, doubts, and desires. All the groups’ sessions were extremely emotional. Emotions were the connection channel among all participants, including myself.