Developing Resilience: Gay Men’s Response to Systemic Discrimination

Abstract

Gay men experience marked health disparities compared to heterosexual men, associated with profound discrimination. Resilience as a concept has received growing attention to increase understanding about how gay men promote and protect their health in the presence of adversity. Missing in this literature are the perspectives and experiences of gay men over 40 years. This investigation, drawing on grounded theory methods, examined how gay men over 40 years of age develop resilience over the course of their lives to promote and protect their health. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 25 men ranging between 40 and 76 years of age who experienced an array of health concerns including depression, anxiety, suicidality, and HIV. Men actively resist discrimination via three interrelated protective processes that dynamically influence the development of resilience over their life course: (a) building and sustaining networks, (b) addressing mental health, and (c) advocating for respectful care encounters. Initiatives to promote and protect the health of gay men must be rooted in the recognition of the systemic role of discrimination, while supporting men’s resilience in actively resisting discrimination.

“Am I gonna get in trouble for acknowledging my will to be safe?”: Identifying the experiences of young sexual minority men and substance use in the context of an opioid overdose crisis

“…Within the context of the opioid overdose crisis, our findings highlight how young sexual minority men are resilient and willing and able to operationalize harm reduction practices (e.g., drug checking technologies, Naloxone kits, not using alone) to mitigate potential substance use-related harms, including overdose. In line with previous research in other substantive areas (e.g., syndemics of mental illness, discrimination, HIV, and other STBBIs) [59][60][61][62][63][64][65], our study identifies how sexual minority men engage in diverse protective processes (e.g., modifying individual and peer health practices, building social support networks) that promote resiliency and foster positive health outcomes in response to the health risks they face. Our study also revealed how similar protective and risk mitigation strategies are being taken up to reduce overdose risk, including a variety of behavioral interventions and accessing trusted drug supplies.…”

Overcoming adversity: a grounded theory of health management among middle‐aged and older gay men

“…2013) with direct negative effects on the resources necessary for health such as income security, access and receipt of health care and freedom from violence; all of which can detrimentally affect men’s opportunities for effective health management (Handlovsky et al . 2018, Ferlatte et al . 2015, Yep 2002).…”

“…Health management scholars have also focused on social supports used by gay men of diverse ages, particularly in contexts including homophobic violence and harassment experienced (Handlovsky et al . 2018, Harper et al . 2015, Mustanski et al .…”

“…Both structural‐level discrimination (heteronormativity) and homophobia have been cited as barriers to help‐seeking (Aguinaldo 2008, Handlovsky et al . 2018), with substantial evidence illustrating how gay men were constructed by healthcare providers as the ‘risky other, in opposition to heterosexual men as the (hetero)normal’ (Johnson et al . 2012: 1).…”

“…2014, Handlovsky et al . 2018, Race 2010). The overemphasis by health providers on HIV and other STIs has contributed to gay men’s other health concerns going untreated, and feelings of disrespect and shame, which limits their capacity for positive health management (Handlovsky et al .…”