“Never reflected anywhere”: Body image among ethnoracialized gay and bisexual men

Brennan, David J.; Asakura, Kenta; George, Clemon; Newman, Peter A.; Giwa, Sulaimon; Hart, Trevor A.; Souleymanov, Rusty; Betancourt, Gerardo

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2013.03.006

Cited by 75 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Body dissatisfaction and body image concerns have historically been seen as a problem affecting women, yet there is a growing literature base documenting body dysmorphia and body dissatisfaction among men (Blashill, 2010; Brennan et al, 2013; Daniel & Bridges, 2010; Parent, 2013; Pope, Phillips, & Olivardia, 2000). While there is significant variation across studies, there is evidence that gay men and other sexual minority men may experience greater body dissatisfaction than their heterosexual peers (Morrison, Morrison, & Sager, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Few studies have explored racial and ethnic differences in sexual minority men’s body image and attitudes (Brennan et al, 2013; Siconolfi, Halkitis, Allomong, & Burton, 2009). In general populations of men (without regard to sexual orientation), differences in body image across racial and ethnic groups have been largely inconsistent, although Black men in the U.S. may tend to have better body image than White men (Ricciardelli, McCabe, Williams, & Thompson, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Body Dissatisfaction in a Diverse Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: The P18 Cohort Study

et al. 2015

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Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) may be at greater risk for body dissatisfaction, compared to their heterosexual peers. However, differences within YMSM populations are understudied, precluding the identification of YMSM who are at greatest risk. This study examined body dissatisfaction in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of YMSM ages 18–19 in New York City. Using cross-sectional data from the baseline visit of a longitudinal cohort study of YMSM (N = 591), body dissatisfaction was assessed using the Male Body Attitudes Scale. Three outcomes were modeled using linear regression: (1) overall body dissatisfaction, (2) muscularity dissatisfaction, and (3) body fat dissatisfaction. Covariates in the models included race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, BMI, gay community affiliation, and internalized homonegativity. White YMSM experienced greater body dissatisfaction across the three models. Internalized homonegativity was a statistically significant predictor of dissatisfaction across the three models, though its association with body dissatisfaction was relatively small. The findings point to future avenues of research, particularly qualitative research to explore demographic and cultural nuances in body attitudes among YMSM.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Dissatisfaction in a Diverse Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: The P18 Cohort Study

et al. 2015

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“…Social power differentials between black and white MSM and men of other ethnicities may influence their decision to have sex without a condom. Brennan et al (2013) suggests that black men may be intrigued that their bodies are desired by non-black men and are willing to discard safety for such an encounter (Brennan et al, 2013). We were not able to test if black men "trade-off" safe sex in interracial encounters, as suggested by Adam et al (2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Sexual health determinants in black men-who-have-sex-with-men living in Toronto, Canada

George

Makoroka

Husbands

et al. 2013

Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a profile of the sexual behavioural characteristics of black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada who constitute a unique mixture in terms of background, race, ethnicity, and culture. Having a profile of the sexual health and risk taking behaviours of these men is important since it provides information on these black Canadian men in comparison other black MSM. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected as part of a cross-sectional study of black MSM in GTA. Survey participants completed a questionnaire requesting information on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, general and mental health, and awareness of social marketing strategies for gay men. The study was conducted in 2007-2008, through convenience sampling. Based on the data collected, the authors characterized the profile of black MSM with respect to sexual risk behaviours. Findings – The authors collected data on 168 black MSM. These men perceived their general health to be good. However, a large proportion of them practiced inconsistent condom use but this varied according to the ethnicity of the partner. Inconsistent condom use also varied by place of birth with Canadian-born men and Caribbean-born men less likely to consistently use condoms than African-born men. In multiple regression analysis, being born in Africa favoured condom use. Men were also more likely to practice inconsistent condoms use when the sexual partner was non-black. Further, when sex with other black men was examined, those who were older (30 years) and had not disclosed their sexuality were more likely to stop using condoms. Other variables which were expected to have associations with inconsistent condom use, based on studies in other jurisdictions – such as previous sexually transmitted infections, sex with women, sex while travelling, and drug use were not related to inconsistent condom use. Research limitations/implications – While the survey data were based on a relatively small sample size and may not be representative of the entire black MSM population in the GTA, it provides a basis for ongoing and targeted support for black MSM particularly those born in Canada. Older men who are not open with their sexuality may be at a risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Future research should focus on these men. Originality/value – This report provides a perspective on the sexual health and risk taking behaviours of black MSM in Canada. This is particularly important since their social history and health determinants are different from those of US African Americans. The results will stimulate further research targeting this group, and support HIV programmes and services for these men.

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“…Consumption of stereotyped imagery may have implications for the partners of Black men who could develop racialised and fetishised sexual expectations, in which they expect Black men to perform in sexual encounters (Paul, Ayala, and Choi 2010; Ro et al 2013; Wilson et al 2009). Moreover, the hypermasculine imagery depicted by Black models could also have the potential to induce psychological distress among Black men who view these depictions as subtle forms of racism (Paul, Ayala, and Choi 2010; Coltrane and Messineo 2000), as well as lead to a diminished sense of self-esteem among Black men who do not meet this stereotypical ideal of Black masculinity (Brennan et al 2013; Wilson et al 2009; Ro et al 2013; Paul, Ayala, and Choi 2010; Icard 1986). Indeed, research among diverse male samples shows that men who are frequently exposed to sexually explicit media and other media depictions of an ‘ideal’ body image, experience higher levels of depression, muscle dissatisfaction, and social physique anxiety (Duggan and McCreary 2004; Agliata and Tantleff-Dunn 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexually explicit racialised media targeting men who have sex with men online: a content analysis of high-risk behaviour depicted in online advertisements

White

Dunham

Rowley

et al. 2015

Culture, Health & Sexuality

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Sexually explicit media may perpetuate racial and sexual norms among men who have sex with men. While men may be exposed to sexually explicit media in the online settings where they seek sex with other men, no studies to our knowledge have explored the relationship between the racial and sexual content of advertisements appearing in these spaces. In 2011, 217 sexually explicit advertisements on a male sex-seeking website were coded for themes, actor characteristics, and sexual acts depicted using a detailed codebook. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between skin colour, theme, sexual acts, and condomless sex acts. Nearly half (45%) featured a ‘thug’ theme (style emphasising Black masculinity/hip-hop culture), 21% featured a college theme, and 44% featured condomless sex. Ads featuring only Black men, ads featuring Black men with men of other skin tones, and ads depicting a thug theme were positively associated with depictions of condomless sex. Online sexually explicit ads featuring Black themes and actors more frequently depicted risky sex than ads with White men alone. Future research should examine whether risky depictions of Black men in online ads influence the sexual norms and cognitions of Black men who have sex with men and their partners.

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“Never reflected anywhere”: Body image among ethnoracialized gay and bisexual men

Cited by 75 publications

References 38 publications

Body Dissatisfaction in a Diverse Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: The P18 Cohort Study

Body Dissatisfaction in a Diverse Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: The P18 Cohort Study

Sexual health determinants in black men-who-have-sex-with-men living in Toronto, Canada

Sexually explicit racialised media targeting men who have sex with men online: a content analysis of high-risk behaviour depicted in online advertisements

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