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Secret encounters: black men, bisexuality, and AIDS in Alabama
1Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
Medical Anthropology Quarterly
|October 19, 2000
Summary
Black men in Alabama face high HIV rates. Research reveals "sex for money or drugs," "prison sex," and "sneaky sex" are high-risk behaviors, often involving unprotected bisexual activity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Black men in Alabama experience disproportionately high HIV infection rates.
- Existing public health efforts largely overlook HIV risks within this demographic.
- Limited research exists on the specific HIV risks faced by Black men in Alabama.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the research gap regarding HIV risks among Black men in Alabama.
- To identify high-risk scenarios and contributing factors through qualitative inquiry.
- To inform targeted HIV prevention strategies for this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized qualitative data from focus groups, elicitation, and key informant interviews.
- Data was collected as part of an ongoing epidemiological study on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Alabama.
- Employed hypothesis-generating interviews to explore HIV risk behaviors.
Main Results:
- Identified three primary high-risk scenarios: "sex for money or drugs," "prison sex," and "sneaky sex."
- Found that covert, unprotected bisexual activity is common among Black men.
- Reasons include prostitution, same-sex relations during incarceration, and maintaining a heterosexual facade in homophobic environments.
Conclusions:
- Bisexual activity among Black men in Alabama is strongly linked to secrecy and unprotected sex.
- Factors like incarceration, homophobia, drug use, and a public health focus on surveillance exacerbate risks.
- There is a critical need for prevention-focused interventions tailored to the unique circumstances of bisexually active Black men.