Negatively framed mediated representations of 'Chemsex' and 'Party N Play'

This article explores some of the mediated representations of queer male drug use - in particular, those concerning chemsex and party and play (PNP) - to reveal the underlying emotionality as well as the cultural dynamics and meanings that contribute to the shaping of society’s understandings of these men and their behaviors. The article presents analyses of several general types of negatively-framed mediated representations of chemsex and PNP – representations that can, in effect, serve to define queer male drug users—definitions which are often provided by ‘experts’ (or, ‘moral entrepreneurs’ [Becker, 1963]) such as documentary directors, addiction practitioners and public/sexual health representatives, to name a few.