Asian Gay Men Research Articles

HIV-related knowledge, risk perception, and minority stressors among South Asian sexual minority men in the United States.

South Asian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in the United States have been persistently overlooked in HIV research and programming. To address this limitation, this article describes their HIV-related knowledge, risk perception, and minority stressors, with a focus on identifying variations between American-born individuals and immigrants. Participants were recruited from April-July 2022 through social media advertising and peer referral and surveyed about their sociodemographic and HIV-related behavioral characteristics. Previously validated scales were used to assess their HIV-related knowledge, risk perception, disclosure of sexual identity, experienced homophobia, and perceived racism within the sexual and gender minority community. Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests were conducted to compare those born in the United States and those born abroad. Of the 112 participants, 26 (23.21%) were American-born individuals and 86 (76.79%) were immigrants. Despite similar levels of sexual risk behaviors, such as having multiple male sex partners, engaging in condomless anal sex, and using alcohol or drugs immediately before or during sex, immigrants had lower levels of HIV-related knowledge (p = .0480) and risk perception (p = .0114) compared to American-born individuals. Immigrants were also less likely to have disclosed their sexual identity to family, friends, and society compared to American-born individuals (p = .0004). No differences were identified with respect to experiences of homophobia (p = .2303) or perceptions of racism (p = .4011). Comprehensive HIV prevention efforts that address the social and cultural norms of South Asian GBM in the United States are needed.

Who’s Eating Rice? Gay Vietnamese American Men’s Experiences With (Sexual) Racism

Recent studies on the experiences of gay Asian men demonstrate that members of these groups experience both subtle and blatant forms of racism within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities. This study expands on previous research by examining how gay Vietnamese American men experience racism within the gay community of Southern California, how racism affects members of this group mentally and emotionally, and their responses when facing racism. Based on 17 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with self-identified gay Vietnamese American men living in Southern California, this study found that they experienced racism similarly to other gay Asian men. Race and racism shape the everyday experiences of gay Vietnamese American men through the racial paradox of gay desire as they are either deemed undesirable and rejected as a potential sexual and romantic interest, or they are racially fetishized. However, members of this group do not experience racism passively but actively respond through various acts of resistance and intra-racial and ethnic community-building.

Parental accepting and rejecting behaviors: Experiences of South Asian gay and bisexual men in Canada

AbstractObjectiveThis article explored the coming out experiences of South Asian gay and bisexual young men at home.BackgroundIntersectionality theory suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth of color may experience double minority stress, due to facing the multiple stressors of sexual minority stigma and racism. Although family support has been identified as important social support for youth, little research has considered how well families support South Asian LGBTQ youth.MethodSemistructured interviews were conducted with 15 gay and bisexual South Asian young men. Data were systematically analyzed according to the principles of interpretive description.ResultsThree overarching themes were identified in the analysis including that (a) parents were very concerned about what others would think about their child's sexual orientation; (b) parents demonstrated a wide range of reactions to their child's disclosure, which most commonly included anger, denial, and avoidance; and (c) there are a lack of resources for South Asian sexual minority youth.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that because of traditional homophobic attitudes espoused by South Asian cultures, South Asian gay and bisexual youth find it very challenging to navigate coming out to their parents. For the same reasons, it makes it very difficult for South Asian parents to accept their child's sexual orientation.ImplicationsIt is important that interventions to increase parental support of South Asian gay and bisexual youth are culturally relevant.

HIV and STI Testing Among South Asian Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States.

South Asian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States are subsumed under the broad, heterogeneous category of Asian GBMSM in national surveillance systems. Disaggregated data on their rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing are not publicly reported. This is problematic as the diversity of ancestries, cultures, and customs across subgroups of Asian GBMSM may contribute to differential HIV and STI testing experiences. To address this deficit in knowledge, 115 South Asian GBMSM recruited through social media advertising and peer referral were surveyed about their patterns of HIV and STI testing. In the past 6 months, almost two-thirds (n = 72, 62.61%) had two or more male sex partners, and more than a quarter (n = 33, 28.70%) had condomless anal sex with two or more male partners. In the past year, more than one in four (n = 32, 27.83%) had not been tested for HIV, and more than two in five (n = 47, 40.87%) had not been tested for STIs. The prevalence of past-year HIV and STI testing was lower among participants aged ≥35 years and those who had never used pre-exposure prophylaxis. Participants who were partnered were less likely to have been tested for HIV, and those who were born outside the United States were less likely to have been tested for STIs in the past year. Findings highlight gaps in domestic HIV- and STI-prevention efforts with respect to adequately engaging South Asian GBMSM and suggest that some segments of this subgroup may benefit from targeted outreach.

The impact of social connections and discrimination to HIV risk among Asian gay and bisexual men in Australia.

Asian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are overrepresented in new HIV diagnoses in Australia. Social engagement with other GBMSM has been associated with HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake. Asian GBMSM may be socially disconnected from LGBTQ+ people, which may increase their HIV risk. This analysis assessed the contribution of social connection on HIV risk among Asian GBMSM. Using an online cross-sectional survey of Asian GBMSM in Australia, we measured condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) in the last 6months without PrEP or an undetectable viral load (UVL), i.e. CLAI with a risk of HIV transmission. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to compare demographic characteristics and social engagement of participants who had CLAI without PrEP or UVL to those who had not. Analyses were restricted to participants who reported sex with casual partners in the last 6months. Among 509 participants who had casual partners in the last 6months, 151 (29.7%) reported CLAI without PrEP or UVL. CLAI without PrEP or UVL was negatively associated with full-time employment, and recently being tested for HIV and was positively associated with experiencing discrimination based on sexual orientation. Social engagement with LGBTQ+ people was not associated with CLAI without PrEP or UVL. CLAI without PrEP or UVL was not related to social connections with LGBTQ+ people but was more likely among Asian men who had experienced sexuality-related discrimination, suggesting that mitigating homophobia and biphobia may assist in improving HIV prevention among Asian GBMSM who live in Australia.

57. Recommendations for Parents and Communities to Support South Asian Sexual Minority Youth in Canada

Intersectionality theory suggests that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth of colour – including South Asian youth – may experience double minority stress, due to facing the multiple stressors of sexual minority stigma and racism. There is relatively little research focusing on what is needed to improve support for South Asian LGBTQ youth according to their lived experiences. The purpose of this study was to identify the actions that South Asian gay and bisexual young men recommended for parents and communities to improve support for South Asian sexual minority youth living in Canada.

The Creepy White Guy and the Helpless Asian: How Sexual Racism Persists in a Gay Interracial Friendship Group

Abstract How is sexual racism maintained in an organization that claims to resist it? This article applies the concept of sexual racism to an organizational case study of a friendship group of gay Asian and white men that aims to uplift Asian men’s erotic capital, but which actually upholds white desirability. Through ethnographic observations and interviews, the author first compares Asian and white men’s unequal positions on the gay sexual hierarchy before joining the group. The author unpacks four dimensions of organizational experience in which sexual racism is reproduced and white desirability is maintained: (1) a group monitoring practice that reproduces interracial stereotypes; (2) the normalized Asian-white pairing norm and the necessity of whiteness in romantic formation; (3) Asians vs. whites’ personal experiences of change in sexual capital that stabilize white desirability while Asians’ desirability increase with a cost; and (4) the reproduction of anti-Blackness in group-level constraints against non-white, non-Asian members. These findings contribute to sociological understandings of the racialization of sexuality and the sexualization of race by showing how an alternative space of desire for minority groups can still manifest sexual racism on individual and organizational levels.

Effect of Sexual Racism on Partner Desirability in Gay Asian Men

ABSTRACT Sexual racism—including or excluding racial minority members in partner selection based on race—negatively affects Asian men who have sex with men (MSM) across various domains. The current study aims to investigate the effect of potential partners’ racial preferences on desirability in Asian MSM. The relationship between sexual racism awareness and partner desirability when evaluating white partners with racial preferences was also investigated. A sample of Asian MSM (N = 128) responded to hypothetical online dating scenarios in which the racial background (Asian/white) and racial preference (none/Asian/white) of facial stimuli were manipulated. A two-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni analyses confirmed that, as hypothesized, among potential white partners, those that exhibited no racial preferences were most desirable, F(1.66, 210.54) = .11.37, p < .001, ηp 2 = .08. Among potential Asian partners, those that preferred white men were least desirable, F(1.82, 231.60) = 81.95, p < .001, ηp 2 = .39. Unexpectedly, there was no relationship evident between sexual racism awareness and desirability for potential white partners (in any racial preference condition; all rs < .20). Our findings suggest that overt expression of certain racial preferences can negatively affect desirability in online dating applications.

Identity Threat and Coping Among British South Asian Gay Men During the COVID-19 Lockdown

This study focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on identity, relationships and psychological wellbeing among British South Asian gay men (BSAGM). Interview data from 15 BSAGM were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis and identity process theory. The analysis yielded the following three themes: (1) Fear of involuntary disclosure of gay identity; (2) Anxiety about relationships; and (3) Coping and casual sexual encounters. BSAGM who returned to the family home during the lockdown reported fear of involuntary disclosure of their sexual identity, exposure to stigma in relation to their sexuality, and anxiety about their relationships with significant others. In order to cope with the resultant threats to identity, some individuals concealed their sexual identity, which could undermine their sense of identity authenticity, and some reported engaging in casual sexual encounters as a means of coping with identity threat. BSAGM may be at high risk of identity threat during the COVID-19 outbreak with limited access to social and psychological support in relation to their sexuality. This in turn may lead to a reliance on ineffective coping strategies, such as sexual risk-taking.

Social representations of Britishness among British South Asian gay men

ABSTRACT Nationhood can be conceptualised in many different ways and these conceptualisations determine the level of access that ethnic minorities have to a national identity. This study focuses on social representations of Britishness among British South Asian gay men and their impact for constructing and managing national, ethnic and sexual identities. Fifteen individuals were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule and the data were analysed using thematic analysis and social representations theory. The analysis yielded three themes focusing on the racial representation of Britishness, which emphasised the centrality of race and was perceived to be exclusionary; the multicultural representation, which facilitated both ethnic and British national identification but did not address homophobia in the ethnic ingroup; and the civic/ instrumental representation, which facilitated a sense of belonging in spite of their multiple identities. A civic/ instrumental representation of Britishness appears to be inclusive and may have far-reaching social and psychological benefits.

Rejection and Resilience in a “Safe Space”: Exploratory Rapid Ethnography of Asian-Canadian and Asian-American Men’s Experiences on a Gay Cruise

Similar to other leisure spaces, gay cruises allow for self-expression and development of community, but in potentially sexualized environments over comparatively prolonged periods. Understanding racialized gay men’s resiliency in these spaces is important to leisure theory and practice, yet it has received little empirical attention, with an existing gap regarding resilience strategies of racialized gay men. Informed by minority stress theory and resilience theory, I use rapid ethnography to explore experiences of Asian-Canadian and Asian-American cisgender gay men (n = 7) on a gay cruise. Thematic analysis highlighted the cruise as a “safe space” where participants felt liberated. However, participants discussed rejection based on race and body size in this “safe space.” To cope, participants drew on existing resources rather than creating new ones, speaking to their resources as “my friends are my oasis.” Findings contribute to understanding Asian gay men’s resiliency in leisure spaces, highlighting the importance of social resources.

High levels of engagement with testing for HIV and sexually transmissible infection among gay Asian men in Sydney and Melbourne: an observational study

A survey of 604 GAM residing in Sydney and Melbourne was undertaken. The data identified that a significant proportion of non-HIV-positive men (i.e. HIV-negative men and men whose HIV status was unknown) surveyed (n = 567; 93.9%) had engaged in frequent HIV testing and comprehensive STI testing in the 12 months prior to the survey (n = 180; 31.7%). There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in sexual practices at the bivariate level between those who reported frequent and comprehensive HIV/STI testing and those who did not. Those who tested regularly were substantially more sexually active, were more likely to have multiple partners (P = 0.001) and were more likely to engage in condomless anal intercourse with both casual (P < 0.001) and regular (P = 0.002) partners. Those who engaged with testing initiatives were more likely to discuss HIV status with both regular (P = 0.008) and casual (P < 0.001) partners, and identified more reasons to test than their counterparts (P < 0.001). The data also highlighted key service venues, with gay men most likely to have used public sexual health clinics (46.9%) as their most recent testing venue. The data demonstrate an association between high levels of male-to-male sexual activity and engagement in frequent and comprehensive HIV and STI testing. This likely derives from both self-perceived notions of risk and current reliance on established gay community organisations to convey information around testing. Increasing engagement with testing initiatives beyond GAM who self-identify as being at high HIV and STI risk will require the use of novel routes by which to disseminate this information.

Parental reactions to British South Asian young men who identify as gay

British South Asian gay men may face significant psychological distress as a result of parental rejection due to their sexual orientation. This study is the first in the UK to examine parental reactions to British South Asian young men who come out as gay. Twelve British South Asian parents participated in “conversational enquiries,” a series of unstructured interviews, which explored their experiences of having a son come out as gay. The data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis and identity process theory. Three themes are described. First, threats to self-esteem and continuity associated with having a gay son are described. Second, it is shown that parents favored and, in some cases, continue to favor denial of the fact, or implications, of their son’s coming out. Third, parents may deem isolation from significant others to be necessary in order to avoid social stigma due to their sons’ sexual orientation. Recommendations are offered for supporting the parents of British South Asian young men who identify as gay.

Knowledge of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among immigrant Asian gay men living in New Zealand

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONHIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new bio-medical means of reducing the risk of HIV infection. It’s use by individuals at high risk of HIV acquisition is recommended. AimsThis study identifies the ways immigrant Asian gay men living in New Zealand talk about and understand issues related to PrEP. METHODSA qualitative descriptive methodology was used. Individual interviews were conducted with 18 immigrant Asian gay men who were not users of PrEP. Participants were aged 21 – 36 years and one-third had arrived in New Zealand within 3 years of completing the interview. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTSThree themes evident across the men’s talk in relation to pre-exposure prophylaxis were identified: ‘I’m not sure what PrEP is’; ‘PrEP is not proven’; and ‘PrEP is for others, not me’. DISCUSSIONPrEP is necessary for working towards the elimination of HIV. To improve uptake among Asian gay men, improved literacy around HIV and pre-exposure prophylaxis is required. This knowledge needs to be improved at both the individual level in primary care services and collectively through health promotion initiatives. These services and health promotion initiatives need to be provided in ways that encourage engagement by Asian gay men.

“What do gay Asian men want?”: Desiring otherwise in the work of Richard Fung

A vast literature on queer of color critique, and increasingly on queer of color geographies, has shed greater light on how queer people of color negotiate racialized sexual economies. This paper considers how cultural geography, informed by psychoanalysis and queer of color critique, might contribute additional sophistication and critical insight to conversations about sexual racism – by not only decrying sexual racism, but by shedding light on racialized people's complex forms of psychical agency, as well as political agency, in relation to it. It turns to the work of gay Trinidadian-Canadian artist and scholar Richard Fung, whose films and essays both proffer underrepresented images of racialized queer sexual subjectivities and grapple with the ways in which queer people of color can themselves become enlisted in racial-sexual hierarchies. Providing geographical and historical context for Toronto's stratified racial and sexual politics as they play out in ordinary life, I point to moments in which Fung's films both decry such inequality and meditate on alternatives that detour from dramas of mis/recognition by whiteness.

Exploring talk about sexuality and living gay social lives among Chinese and South Asian gay and bisexual men in Auckland, New Zealand

ABSTRACTObjective: To identify ways Chinese and South Asian gay and bisexual men living in Auckland talk about issues related to sexuality and experiences of living ‘gay social lives.’ Results will be available to inform health policy and practice.Design: A qualitative design with individual interviews and thematic analysis was used. Semi-structured digitally recorded interviews were undertaken with 27 Chinese and 17 South Asian gay and bisexual men living in Auckland.Results: Four themes in the data related to talk about sexuality and living gay social lives are reported: (a) ‘Happy in my skin’: Being gay is Ok! (b) ‘To come out or not’: Managing sexual identity, (c) ‘Places to go, people to see’: Connecting with others, and (d) ‘What's wrong with being Asian’: Tolerating discrimination.Conclusion: There are many similarities in the ways these men talked about their identity and sexuality that can be usefully considered by health policy makers and service planners. The concept of gay (and bisexual) sexuality had some salience for the men interviewed, despite the adoption and acknowledgement of same-sex identity being a relatively new phenomenon in some Asian countries. This supports the use of these terms in local health interventions. However, as these men closely managed their gay identity and typically had not disclosed their sexuality to others, including healthcare professionals, interventions to address the skills and comfort of healthcare providers in addressing sexuality in clinical settings appear warranted to facilitate optimal healthcare. These men are not well connected with others and this has implications for HIV health promotion that is based on creating cultural norms among networks to encourage safe sex. Discrimination results in many Chinese and South Asian gay and bisexual men disengaging from connecting with others and should be addressed.

Queering Spirituality and Evolving Sexual Ethics

ABSTRACTGay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (GLBTIQ) people from culturally diverse and religious backgrounds may sometimes feel that we must choose between keeping connected to our religious/ethnic communities while denying our gender-identities/expressions and sexuality, or connecting to a broader Australian GLBTIQ-community that is White/Anglo-dominant and normatively hostile to overt expressions of faith, religiosity and spiritual longing. In this paper, I explore working definitions of the terms ‘spirituality’, ‘religion’ and queer corollaries of spiritual community, paying particular attention to non-religious secular manifestations. I will argue that gender, sexual and political liberation within a multicultural society can and must accommodate both pluralist and integrative approaches to seemingly paradoxical ideas around secularism and religiosity. I will discuss my experiences as a cisgender gay Buddhist Malaysian-Chinese Australian man and my relationships with a group of Asian gay men from religiously diverse backgrounds as case examples, to explore possible frameworks for how these may be manifested and enacted.

Travel preferences of Asian gay men

ABSTRACTLesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travel is an emerging theme within tourism academia. However, most research to date has focused on the Western context. The reviewed literature appears to assume gay market to be homogenous. The present study contributes to understanding of Asian gay men travel preferences. Qualitative analysis of interviews with Asian gay men is undertaken. Findings suggest that the following categories impact travel decisions among Asian gay men: centrality of being gay to self-identity, degree of disclosure of personal sexuality to others, level of disposable income, purpose of travel, safety and conservativeness of the destination. Moreover, the findings provide a classification for gay tourist attractions. The classification of gay attractions includes the following categories: site/event, exclusivity, popularity, commercialisation, type of benefits provided and political activism. The results point to high diversity of travel preferences among Asian gay men. Treatment of LGBT travellers as a single market is critiqued.

Coping with perceived ethnic prejudice on the gay scene

ABSTRACTThere has been only cursory research into the sociological and psychological aspects of ethnic/racial discrimination among ethnic minority gay and bisexual men, and none that focuses specifically upon British ethnic minority gay men. This article focuses on perceptions of intergroup relations on the gay scene among young British South Asian gay men and the effects of perceived prejudice for their identities. Twelve young British South Asian gay men were interviewed about their experiences. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which yielded the following themes: (a) ethnic otherization on the gay scene, (b) mechanisms of rejection on the gay scene, and (c) nowhere to turn: double rejection and identity threat. The data indicate that young British South Asian gay men may face multiple layers of rejection—racism and homophobia from the general population, homophobia from the ethnoreligious community, and racism from White British gay men. This can deprive young British South Asian gay men of the only remaining source of social support that they perceive—namely the sexual ingroup—inducing negative social and psychological outcomes for identity processes.

Geisha of a different kind: race and sexuality in gaysian America

Introduction: Geisha of a Different Kind 1. Being an Oriental, I Could Never Be Completely a Man: Gendering Men 2. Sexy Like a Girl and Horny Like a Boy: Contemporary Gay Western Narratives about Gay Asian Men 3. It's Like They Don't See Us at All: Race and Racism in Gay America 4. Girls Are Prettier: How Drag Queens Saved Us 5. Finding Home in Gaysian America: Constructing Gay Male Identities Conclusion: Who Gets to Be Gay, Who Gets to Be Asian? References Notes Index About the Author