Other men who privately self-identify as homosexual or gay (often those more educated), may still be having sex with both men and women because of familial pressures to marry and have children 7 – 9. However, these identity labels do not always predict specific sexual behaviours as male-to-male sexual practices are often fluid 2, 4 – 6. For some men, terms such as kothi (receptive or effeminate male partner), panthi (stereotypically penetrative or masculine male partner), “double deckers” (men who engage in both penetrative and receptive anal sex) may be invoked to describe their sexual identity, as opposed to thinking of themselves as “gay” (which may be perceived to be a foreign term) 2, 4, 5. Sexual roles may vary without regard to one's sexual identity or primary orientation 4. heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual) as these often do in Western cultures. Same sex behaviour and relationships in India tend to be much more fluid and the associated sexual identities do not always fall into distinctive categories ( i.e. However, the term ‘MSM’ has evolved in many parts of India to now take on meanings of identity as well 2. Such a person could be categorized as an MSM, even though he might not view or consider such intimacy to be considered as sex in his cultural milieu, and he might not be willing to be forthcoming about his desire to be with other men. For example, a married, self-identified heterosexual male, may still engage in sexual behaviours with other men. Sexual behaviour, as the abbreviation MSM usually addresses, does not correlate entirely with sexual identity and orientation in many cases, but rather focuses on a description of sexual practices.
One's identity is how one identifies oneself, regardless of orientation or sexual desire and behaviour. It is important to understand and distinguish between the concepts of sexual identity, orientation and behaviour.