Sexualised drug use is not a new phenomenon; in fact, it dates back to the origins of humanity. However, in recent decades, the term “chemsex” – specifically referring to drug use in sexual contexts, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) – has captured global attention, leading to scrutiny of these communities and their practices. With the term often thrown around and with multiple meanings, this article delves into chemsex in Colombia, specifically in Bogotá, based on yet unpublished research I conducted – exploring the questions it raises, how it adapts to the unique Colombian context, emerging trends, and future directions.
The emergence of chemsex
The earliest studies into this topic in Colombia are from 2010 and 2016; both focused on understanding sexual behaviours, HIV prevalence and drug use among MSM. Although these early investigations did not directly address this phenomenon as chemsex, as they were mostly focused on identifying HIV prevalence across cities, they illustrated the convergence of various practices and highlighted a latent reality.
It was not until 2016 that news articles began to appear, describing the global emergence of chemsex and its connection to Colombia in dramatic tones. The media focus prompted more studies in the following years, including literature reviews and exploratory research by academics and civil society organisations. Currently, there is no significant institutional response from the State regarding chemsex, but community-led collectives like Parche Dulcero are proactively addressing the subject.
To better explore chemsex and how it exists within Colombia, I launched a call on social networks within chemsex spaces; I secured 10 in-depth interviews as well as a focus group discussion. Although the results are not representative in quantitative terms, they offer a valuable qualitative description of the phenomenon and its nuances, providing a basis for future research. The testimonies I collected underscore a remarkable growth within Bogotá’s chemsex scene, evidenced by a growing number of parties and events. This increase has been accelerated by apps such as Grindr or Scruff, which facilitate connections between people with similar interests. However, as chemsex gains popularity, common concerns have emerged around safety, inequality and community.
Personal safety and the risk of violence
Interviewees expressed their concern for the personal safety of those involved in the chemsex scene, due to experiences of robbery, abuse, and violence.
This sense of vulnerability has been amplified in recent years, particularly in cities such as Medellín and Bogotá, where alarming incidents of violence and even homicides have been reported, where men were targeted through apps for parties or sexual encounters. These serious incidents, which are perceived to be systematic, triggered a broad debate as to whether they constituted hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community in general.
This sense of insecurity leads to ambivalent feelings among chemsex participants who come from rural areas of Colombia, where legal and illegal armed groups have been particularly violent towards LGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV, and people using drugs. On one hand, urban spaces offer a unique opportunity for people to explore and express their sexual identity freely, in stark contrast to the oppression they faced in their hometowns. However, they are also exposed to high levels of stress and anxiety due to ongoing violence and insecurity in these cities, adding to existing traumas.
People who have experienced chemsex in other global regions, like Europe, North America or even Mexico, note marked restrictions upon returning to Colombia. While personal safety is rarely a concern abroad, in Colombia they face a more conservative environment with greater security risks. This limits the freedom and spontaneity that often accompanies chemsex.
Inequality, access to services and the burden of contemporary urban life
Despite belonging to a medium-high socioeconomic class, all ten interviewees agreed that the health system in Bogotá does not adequately meet the needs of chemsex participants, particularly around mental health. The stigmatisation of queer sexual practices and drug use has forced many into private health services, impossible to access for many. In addition, bureaucracy and system fragmentation hinder timely access to quality care, leaving people without the necessary support. As a result, many chemsex participants have had to manage their distress through isolation or through peer support.
Likewise, several of the participants mentioned how chemsex spaces are not only focused on the search for pleasure and connection, but also as a form of relief from modern life. However, participating in quality chemsex spaces involved significant economic costs which was felt as unsustainable over long periods of time.
From collective to individual-hyperconnected practice
Chemsex is evolving from collective practices to individualised and highly connected encounters, as a result of changes in how people manage privacy and risks.
First, there is a growing interest in using private spaces such as personal homes, hotels or rented venues to arrange safe encounters. This arrangement allows for extensive control over the environment and participants, often involving detailed advance planning. By carefully selecting attendees and locations, participants not only better manage security risks, but also protect their privacy. This is particularly important for those in prominent social positions, for whom public exposure could impact their work and personal lives.
Second, there is an increase in the use of digital platforms for chemsex, where participants connect via digital calls (or teleconferencing). In these virtual sessions, individuals consume substances and engage in sexual activities individually, while visually interacting with others from a distance. In addition, some people organise private chemsex sessions in their homes, combining drug use with access to pornographic material for a more personalised experience, finding that this fits their life dynamics better.
Redefining chemsex
A recurring theme in the interviews is the need to redefine chemsex to include diverse identities and practices. Chemsex spaces are not only frequented by a heterogeneous group of men who have sex with men (a contentious category with strong epidemiological connotations), but also non-binary and trans people, who are often rendered invisible by conventional descriptions that privilege cis gay men.
Research has also shown that heterosexual men living with HIV face similar risks from drug use and sexual activities, limited by heteropatriarchal performances of masculinity. However, due to limited resources, privatisation, and the focus of sexual health policies on MSM, these dynamics are often left unaddressed.
Ultimately, in order to foster a more effective understanding of chemsex, we must view it as a complex phenomenon that includes social, cultural and technological elements, and not just through a public health lens. Broadening our perspective will allow us to develop inclusive strategies that respect the diverse experiences of those involved, ultimately leading to more holistic health and wellness approaches.
This reconceptualisation recognises the importance of personal freedoms and pleasures as central to participants’ experiences.
This article is based on interviews conducted by the author with Bogotá participants as part of an exploratory study on chemsex in Latin America, coordinated by the Red de Jovenes Positivos de América Latina y el Caribe Hispano (J+LAC), the Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Personas que Usan Drogas (LANPUD), and academics from the region, with the support of UNAIDS. It covers four cities: Mexico City, San José, Bogotá and São Paulo.
Thank you to these organizations for allowing the use of the information for additional analyses, such as this article. The opinions and analyses expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the organizations involved. To read the original study, visit: https://www.redlanpud.net/uncategorized/estudio-chemsex-en-lac/
