Black Sexuality, Social Construction, and Research Targeting ‘The Down Low’ (‘The DL’)

Ford, Chandra L.; Whetten, Kathryn; Hall, Susan A.; Kaufman, Jay S.; Thrasher, Angela D.

doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2006.09.006

Cited by 117 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Interestingly after controlling for demographic factors and other psychosocial health problems, IH was significantly associated with identifying as gay but still having a meaningful sexual relationship with women, depression, and violence. This supports evidence from previous studies which suggested that discordance between sexual behavior and sexual identity may be greatest among MSM who report a high level of stigma [6]. Notwithstanding controlling for other factors in the model predicting HIV seropositivity, the odds of being diagnosed with HIV infection were positive but not significantly associated with being gay but still having a meaningful sexual relationship with women.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Syndemic Production of HIV Infection among Tanzanian MSM

Adeboye¹,

Ross²,

Wilkerson³

et al. 2017

J Health Edu Res Dev

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Syndemic Production of HIV Infection among Tanzanian MSM

Adeboye¹,

Ross²,

Wilkerson³

et al. 2017

J Health Edu Res Dev

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“…First, sample recruitment targeted sexually active, HIV-negative MSM with subscriptions to online social and/or sexual networking sites; thus, findings may not generalize to MSM who are HIV-positive, not recently sexually active, do not use the Internet, cannot afford a subscription to one of the designated sites, and/or are not invested in meeting new partners. Previous research has found great diversity in the sexual identities and activities reported by Black MSM, 10 and some Black MSM who are not open about their male sexual preference may be particularly difficult to access; thus, it is likely that our data do not capture the full range of HIVnegative Black MSM in the U.S. and do not represent the sexual practices of all. Second, for the sake of analyses, ''Black'' participants were treated as a homogeneous group and encompassed any participant who self-identified as ''African American/Black'' based on a list of choices that included an ''other'' category.…”

Section: Calabrese Et Almentioning

confidence: 84%

“…7,8 Although selfidentification with the down low lifestyle has been documented among other racial groups, 9 the label is commonly affiliated with Black men in particular and perpetuates stereotypes of Black men's sexuality as excessive, deviant, predatory, reckless, and proximal to disease. 10,11 Black MSM, particularly those who also have sex with women, have been regarded as promiscuous and vectors of HIV transmission even by other Black men.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An Event-Level Comparison of Risk-Related Sexual Practices Between Black and Other-Race Men Who Have Sex with Men: Condoms, Semen, Lubricant, and Rectal Douching

Calabrese

Rosenberger

Schick

et al. 2013

AIDS Patient Care and STDs

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Black men who have sex with men (MSM) living in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. An online survey of sexual behavior was completed by Black, White, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and other-race MSM (n = 11,766) ages 18-87 years. Complete condom use, semen exposure, pre-coital rectal douching (enema use), and lubricant use at last male-partnered sexual event were compared by race, controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables and stratifying by sexual position (receptive, insertive, or both). Across sexual positions, 55-62% of Black MSM reported condom use, 5-8% reported semen exposure, 18-53% reported douching, and 33-43% reported lubricant use. Reported behavioral profiles were not significantly different from other races, except that Black MSM reported greater condom use than White MSM in the insertive position. Although findings argue against disproportionate rates of risk behavior accounting for racial disparities in HIV prevalence, they nonetheless highlight a need for continued behavioral intervention.

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“…In particular, gayidentified men are expected to desire emotional connections with another man because of a level of presumed comfort with and acceptance of their sexual identity (Adam, 2000;Crawford et al, 2002;Floyd & Stein, 2002;Mohr & Fassinger, 2006). Non-gay-identified men (i.e., bisexual and heterosexual), however, are expected to primarily search for physical or sexual connections with other men because of the uneasiness with, denial about, and lack of acceptance of their sexual identity (Ford et al, 2007;Miller et al, 2005;Williams et al, 2004).…”

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Validity and Statistical Utility of a Racism Scale Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

Smith¹

2012

Am J Mens Health

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The primary purpose of this two-phased study was to examine the structural validity and statistical utility of a racism scale specific to Black men who have sex with men (MSM) who resided in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and Baltimore, Maryland. Phase I involved pretesting a 10-item racism measure with 20 Black MSM. Based on pretest findings, the scale was adapted into a 21-item racism scale for use in collecting data on 166 respondents in Phase II. Exploratory factor analysis of the 21-item racism scale resulted in a 19-item, two-factor solution. The two factors or subscales were the following: General Racism and Relationships and Racism. Confirmatory factor analysis was used in testing construct validity of the factored racism scale. Specifically, the two racism factors were combined with three homophobia factors into a confirmatory factor analysis model. Based on a summary of the fit indices, both comparative and incremental were equal to .90, suggesting an adequate convergence of the racism and homophobia dimensions into a single social oppression construct. Statistical utility of the two racism subscales was demonstrated when regression analysis revealed that the gay-identified men versus bisexual-identified men in the sample were more likely to experience increased racism within the context of intimate relationships and less likely to be exposed to repeated experiences of general racism. Overall, the findings in this study highlight the importance of continuing to explore the psychometric properties of a racism scale that accounts for the unique psychosocial concerns experienced by Black MSM.

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Black Sexuality, Social Construction, and Research Targeting ‘The Down Low’ (‘The DL’)

Cited by 117 publications

References 46 publications

Syndemic Production of HIV Infection among Tanzanian MSM

Syndemic Production of HIV Infection among Tanzanian MSM

An Event-Level Comparison of Risk-Related Sexual Practices Between Black and Other-Race Men Who Have Sex with Men: Condoms, Semen, Lubricant, and Rectal Douching

Exploring the Validity and Statistical Utility of a Racism Scale Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

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