Intersectional Effects of Sexual Orientation Concealment, Internalized Homophobia, and Gender Expression on Sexual Identity and HIV Risk Among Sexual Minority Men of Color

Though the transmission of HIV is preventable, there were still 37,968 new documented cases in the United States in 2018. HIV incidence is disproportionate in sexual minority men of color. The purpose of this study was to examine sexual relationship power risk profiles to identify distinct subgroups within the profiles who carry the highest HIV risk. Latent class profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of sexual minority men of color at the highest risk for contracting HIV based on their sexual power profiles. Among 322 sexual minority men, we identified four latent profiles. Profile 1: Low transactional sex and high power (n = 133; 14.3%); Profile 2: Transactional sex, high decision-making in sexual relationships, and low control in sexual relationship (n = 99; 30.7%); Profile 3: Low transactional sex, low decision-making, and moderate control (n = 43; 13.4%); Profile 4: High transactional sex and low power (n = 47; 14.6%). LPA was useful to identify distinct subgroups based on measures of sexual risk and relationship sexual power. Findings carry significant implications for developing tailored strategies to increase HIV knowledge and related HIV prevention and risk reduction services for sexual minority men of color who engage in transactional sex.

Download Full-text

HIV risk management among sexual minority men in China: context, lived experience, and implications for pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation

Culture Health & Sexuality ◽

10.1080/13691058.2021.1885740 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Yumeng Wu ◽

Kathrine Meyers ◽

Lu Xie

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Download Full-text

Substance Use, General Health and Health Literacy as Predictors of Oral Health in Emerging Adult Sexual Minority Men of Color: A Secondary Data Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041987 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1987

Author(s):

S. Raquel Ramos ◽

David T. Lardier ◽

Rueben C. Warren ◽

Melba Cherian ◽

Sarwat Siddiqui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Emerging Adult ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Men Of Color ◽

Minority Men

There is limited evidence surrounding oral health in emerging adult, sexual minority men of color. This study examined the association between sociodemographic factors, health literacy, cigarette, e-cigarette, and alcohol use on oral health outcomes. Secondary data analysis was conducted with 322 sexual minority men ages 18–34 in the United States. Between-group, mean-level, and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined differences on oral health outcomes. Increased cigarette (aOR = 1.84, p = 0.03), e-cigarette (aOR = 1.40, p = 0.03), and alcohol use (aOR = 2.07, p = 0.05) were associated with extended time away from the dentist. Health literacy (aOR = 0.93, p = 0.05) was negatively associated. Increased cigarette (aOR = 1.17, p = 0.04) and cigarette use (aOR = 1.26, p = 0.04) were associated with tooth loss. Health literacy was negatively associated (aOR = 0.65, p = 0.03). Increased e-cigarette (aOR = 1.74, p = 0.04) and cigarette use (aOR = 4.37, p < 0.001) were associated with dental affordability issues. Lower health literacy and racial identification as Black were associated with dental affordability issues; demonstrating an urgent need to address these factors to improve oral health in emerging adult sexual minority men of color.

Download Full-text

‘Why aren’t you on PrEP? You’re a gay man’: reification of HIV ‘risk’ influences perception and behaviour of young sexual minority men and medical providers

Culture Health & Sexuality ◽

10.1080/13691058.2021.2018501 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Kevin Hascher ◽

Jessica Jaiswal ◽

Julianna Lorenzo ◽

Caleb LoSchiavo ◽

Wanda Burton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Risk ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Medical Providers ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

Download Full-text

Refining POSSIBLE: A Multicomponent Intervention to Increase HIV Risk Perceptions and PrEP Initiation Among Black Sexual Minority Men (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.34181 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Derek Dangerfield ◽

Janeane N. Anderson ◽

Charleen Wylie ◽

Renata Arrington-Sanders ◽

Ricky N. Bluthenthal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Risk ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Hiv Prevention Intervention ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Increased HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation is urgently needed to substantially decrease the incidence among Black sexual minority men (BSMM). However, BSMM are less likely than other groups to accept a clinician’s recommendation to initiate PrEP and uptake remains suboptimal. Peers and smartphone apps are popular HIV prevention-intervention mechanisms that are typically used independently. Few studies have combined these strategies into a multi-component intervention to increase PrEP initiation for BSMM. OBJECTIVE This study refined an intervention using a smartphone app and a peer change agent (PCA) to increase HIV risk perceptions (HRP) and PrEP initiation among BSMM. METHODS Data were obtained from 12 focus groups and one in-depth interview among BSMM from Baltimore, MD, between October 2019 and May 2020 (N=39). Groups were stratified by age group: 18-24, 25-34, and 35 and older. Facilitators probed on attitudes towards the app, working with a PCA, and preferences for PCA characteristics. RESULTS Most self-identified as homosexual, gay, or same gender-loving (68%), were employed (69%), single (66%), and interested in self-monitoring sexual behaviors (68.4%). Overall, participants had low HRP and suggested that self-monitoring sexual behaviors could trigger internalized stigma. An acceptable PCA should be a “possible self” for BSMM to aspire. CONCLUSIONS Future research should explore the impact of implementing this strategy on HRP and PrEP initiation among BSMM.

Download Full-text

Minority stress, intra-minority stress and social anxiety: Examining an extended psychological mediation framework among sexual minority men

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.140 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

C Mahon ◽

G Kiernan ◽

P Gallagher

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Rejection Sensitivity ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Lgbt Community ◽

Minority Men ◽

Everyday Discrimination

Abstract Background Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority men (SMM) are at an increased risk of social anxiety disorder. Distal (i.e., everyday discrimination) and proximal (i.e., internalised homophobia, rejection sensitivity, concealment of sexual orientation) minority stress processes are associated with heightened social anxiety for SMM. Stressors emerging from within the sexual minority male community, termed intra-minority stress, and psychological processes that may foster resilience (i.e., a sense of coherence, connectedness to the LGBT community) are less explored in this area. This study examined potential pathways between everyday discrimination, intra-minority stress, proximal minority stressors, resilience and social anxiety. Methods Self-identified SMM (N = 255) residing in the Republic of Ireland completed an online survey containing measures of minority stress, intra-minority stress, resilience and social anxiety. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the model. Results The model yielded a good fit to the data, X2(16) = 26.61, CFI = .99, TLI = .97, RMSEA = .05, and SRMR = .03. Rejection sensitivity and a sense of coherence had a significant indirect effect in the relationships between both exogenous variables (i.e., discrimination and intra-minority stress) and social anxiety. There were no significant pathways to social anxiety involving concealment of sexual orientation, internalised homophobia or LGBT community connectedness. Conclusions For SMM, minority stress processes and intra-minority stress are important determinants of social anxiety. Our findings demonstrate that proximal minority stressors may operate differently in a social anxiety context for SMM in western European countries. A sense of coherence was an integral factor in the model and demonstrated the strongest association with social anxiety.

Download Full-text

Health inequalities among sexual minority youth: a need for sexual orientation and gender expression sensitive school environment

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2012-050522 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 88 (4) ◽

pp. 236-237

Author(s):

Hirut T Gebrekristos

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Health Inequalities ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

School Environment ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Sexual Minority Youth ◽

Gender Expression ◽

And Gender

Download Full-text

A Framework for Using eHealth Interventions to Overcome Medical Mistrust Among Sexual Minority Men of Color Living with Chronic Conditions

Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1080/08964289.2019.1570074 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 166-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. Raquel Ramos ◽

Rueben Warren ◽

Michele Shedlin ◽

Gail Melkus ◽

Trace Kershaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Minority ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Medical Mistrust ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Men Of Color ◽

Minority Men

Download Full-text

Factors Influencing Depression and Anxiety among Black Sexual Minority Men

Depression Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2011/587984 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Louis F. Graham ◽

Robert E. Aronson ◽

Tracy Nichols ◽

Charles F. Stephens ◽

Scott D. Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Identity Development ◽

Sexual Identity ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽

Internalized Homonegativity ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationships between depression and anxiety, and ethnic and sexual identity development, and discrimination and harassment (DH) among Black sexual minority men. Additional aims were to determine whether an interaction effect existed between ethnic and sexual identity and whether coping skills level moderated these relationships. Using an observational cross-sectional design, 54 participants recruited through snowball sampling completed self-administered online surveys. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used. Sixty-four percent of the variance in depression scores and 53% of the variance in anxiety scores were explained by DH and internalized homonegativity together. Thirty percent of the sample had scale scores indicating likelihood of depression and anxiety. Experience of DH and internalized homonegativity explained a large portion of the variability in depression and anxiety among Black sexual minority men. The study showed high prevalence of mental distress among this sample.

Download Full-text