(Bio)markers of ageing in gerontology knowledge: between the global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the (re)pathologisation of homosexuality

Abstract

Since the late 1980s, the gerontology studies on homosexuality reproduced and crystalized (bio)markers from biomedicine and biosciences field related to epidemiology. These (bio)markers - synthesised as "risk", "MSM", "sex", "men", "HIV/AIDS" and "anal" descriptors (as identified by the current doctoral project FAPESP/1723665-9) - have created intelligibilities and repathologised representations on practices, affects, sociabilities and health (no longer under the prism of psychiatrisation of affective/sexual behavior, but based on generalized and pathological notions of risk that associated the contamination and dissemination of HIV/AIDS almost exclusively to sex between men). In methodological terms, the project (i) aims to develop documental research in Harvard Library in order to collect and analyse printed materials published since the 1970s and map information related to the interdisciplinary literature on biology, psychology and social sciences focused on sexuality, health, illness, bodily, aging studies and HIV/AIDS in the US; (ii) develop fieldwork at the National Institute of Health and at the National LGBT Health Education Centre in order to collect historic and descriptive data related to research on HIV/AIDS and LGBT people, its groups, private funds and agencies that have supported research, nucleus and specialized centres, involvement with social movements for human rights etc.; and (iii) participate in activities, seminars and research meetings at the Department of the History of Science and at the Harvard School of Public Health. The research design is qualitative, which might contribute to understanding genealogically and historically the production in North America, its demands, interests and affiliations, since the US - and Harvard University - concentrate the highest indicators of production, materials and authors in the interdisciplinary areas related to gerontology from an intersectional perspective.