"You're an open target to be abused": A qualitative study of stigma and HIV self-disclosure among black men who have sex with men

J.D.P. Bird and D.R. Voisin

American Journal of Public Health, 2013, vol. 103, issue 12, 2193-2199

Abstract: The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related stigma presents a primary barrier to sexual communication and effective HIV prevention. Using in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with 20 HIV-positive Black MSM between 2007 and 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, we explored the themes related to HIV-related stigma and the underlying messages HIV-positive Black MSM receive regarding their status. Stigmatizing messages stem from family, churches, and the gay community and from negative, internalized, beliefs HIV-positive Black MSM held about infected individuals before their own infection. HIV stigma influences sexual silence around HIV disclosure, especially to sexual partners.

Keywords: adult; African American; clergy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; interpersonal communication; male; male homosexuality; middle aged; psychology; qualitative research; sexual behavior; social stigma; United States; young adult; African American; article; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; male homosexuality; psychological aspect, Adult; African Americans; Chicago; Clergy; HIV Seropositivity; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Qualitative Research; Sexual Behavior; Social Stigma; Truth Disclosure; Young Adult, Adult; African Americans; Chicago; Clergy; HIV Seropositivity; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Qualitative Research; Sexual Behavior; Social Stigma; Truth Disclosure; Young Adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301437_0

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301437

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