Identity management strategies among HIV-positive Colombian gay men in London

Abstract

This study set out to explore the social-psychological aspects of living with HIV among a group of HIV-positive Colombian gay men in London, and the strategies that they deployed to manage ensuing threats to their identities. Focus group and individual interview data were collected from 14 Colombian gay men living with HIV, and were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis and identity process theory. The following themes are discussed: (1) identity struggles and conflicts in Colombia, (2), managing multiple layers of social stigma in England, and (3) changing interpersonal and intergroup dynamics, which highlight the inter-connections between sexual prejudice, sexual risk-taking and HIV stigma. Identity may be chronically threatened due to the multiple layers of stigma, which can limit the coping strategies available to individuals. Findings strongly support the need for action and programmes to highlight and tackle both racism and HIV stigma on the gay scene and to fund more specific resources for sub-communities of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, which employ appropriately trained and culturally competent staff.

HIV knowledge, sexual health and sexual behaviour among Black and minority ethnic men who have sex with men in the UK: a cross-sectional study

“…This will be challenging due to cultural taboos around sexuality and HIV and will necessitate a culturally competent approach to awareness raising. 16 There was a high prevalence of both racism and homophobia in our sample of BME MSM, with Black respondents reporting the highest frequency of these forms of prejudice. Prejudice is aversive for both psychological well-being 26 and, as demonstrated in studies conducted in the US, 18 for sexual health outcomes in BME MSM.…”

“…Furthermore, given the well documented relationship between drug use and decreased engagement with HIV care, poor ART adherence and overall HIV outcomes, 28 HIV care for BME MSM, and especially for Latino MSM, should incorporate the possibility of potential drug use. 16…”

“…Conversely, as migrants, some Latin American MSM may perceive a lack of social support, which, in turn, may lead to the adoption of maladaptive strategies, like drug use. 16 Prejudice and social exclusion, such as experiences of racism and homophobia, have been linked to engagement in sexual risk-taking behaviours. In a sample of Latino gay men, social exclusion was associated with participation in sexually 'difficult' situations.…”

Navigating double marginalisation: migrant Chinese sexual and gender minority young people’s views on mental health challenges and supports

“…Recent studies in the USA and UK indicate that double minority youth can develop coping strategies for resiliency in the face of double marginalisation (Li et al 2017; Rios and Eaton 2016;Jaspal and Williamson 2017). These strategies include skills in identity management, whereby double minority youth learn to selectively prioritise aspects of their identity that are less stigmatised and seen as appropriate to the given social context (Wang, Bih and Brennan 2009;Szymanski and Sung 2013;Jaspal and a The term sexual and gender minority refers to all gender diverse people who are not cisgender (i.e. a cisgender person is someone whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth) and all those people who are not heterosexual, as well as those that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) (Mayer et al 2008).…”

Sexual abuse and HIV-risk behaviour among black and minority ethnic men who have sex with men in the UK

“…This will include assessing and addressing possible victimisation (e.g., racism and homophobia) and maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., drug use). Interventions must be led by appropriately trained and culturally component staff for BME MSM (Jaspal & Williamson, 2017;Scott, Fuqua, & Raymond, 2014). This recommendation has been echoed in a recent systematic review of interventions for BME MSM .…”