Gay Men Research Articles

Cultural-Psychological Differences, Social Acceptance of Same-Sex Relationships, and Dating App Use Motives of Young GBMSM: A Comparative Study Across Hong Kong, Taipei, and Osaka

ABSTRACT Gay-specific mobile dating apps such as Grindr are popular among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) worldwide. However, how the use of these apps differs between regions is underexplored. In this study, we drew on the uses and gratifications literature and cross-cultural studies to examine how cultural-psychological differences (sensation seeking and communication apprehension) and social acceptance of same-sex relationships are associated with the motives for using gay dating apps in three East Asian cities. Using a sample of 18–34-year-old GBMSM (217 participants from Hong Kong, 330 from Taipei, and 175 from Osaka), we found that the Taiwanese participants scored higher than their Japanese counterparts on almost all motives. Sensation seeking was positively associated with using gay dating apps for casual sex, self-worth validation, and thrill of excitement in both Taipei and Osaka. Communication apprehension was positively associated with using the apps for ease of communication in all three cities. Social acceptance of same-sex relationships had positive relationships with using the apps for love in Hong Kong and casual sex in Taipei but negative relationships with other motives in Taipei and Osaka. These inconsistent relationships between the variables across the three cities point to the importance of cultural and regional specificity in predicting gay dating app use motives.

Optimal strategies to improve uptake of and adherence to HIV prevention among young people at risk for HIV acquisition in the USA (ATN 149): a randomised, controlled, factorial trial

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and sexual partner reduction help to prevent HIV acquisition but have low uptake among young people. We aimed to assess the efficacy of automated text messaging and monitoring, online peer support, and strengths-based telehealth coaching to improve uptake of and adherence to PrEP, condom use, and PEP among adolescents aged 12-24 years at risk of HIV acquisition in Los Angeles, CA, USA, and New Orleans, LA, USA. We conducted a four-arm randomised controlled factorial trial, assessing interventions designed to support uptake and adherence of HIV prevention options (ie, PrEP, PEP, condom use, and sexual partner reduction). We recruited young people aged 12-24 years who were at risk of HIV acquisition from 13 community-based organisations, adolescent medicine clinics, and organisations serving people who are unstably housed, people who were previously incarcerated, and other vulnerable young people, and through dating apps, peer referrals, and social venues and events in Los Angeles, CA, USA, and New Orleans, LA, USA. Young people who tested seronegative and reported being gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, transgender men or women, or gender diverse (eg. non-binary or genderqueer) were eligible for inclusion. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups in a factorial design: automated text messaging and monitoring (AMMI) only, AMMI plus peer support via private social media, AMMI plus strengths-based telehealth coaching by near-peer paraprofessionals, or AMMI plus peer support and coaching. Assignment was further stratified by race or ethnicity and sexual orientation within each interviewer's group of participants. Participants were masked to intervention assignment until after baseline interviews when offered their randomly assigned intervention, and interviewers were masked throughout the study. Interventions were available throughout the 24-month follow-up period, and participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments, including rapid diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and substance use, at 4-month intervals over 24 months. The primary outcomes were uptake and adherence to HIV prevention options over 24 months, measured by self-reported PrEP use and adherence, consistent condom use with all partners, PEP prescription and adherence, and number of sexual partners in participants with at least one follow-up. We used Bayesian generalised linear modelling to assess changes in outcomes over time comparing the four study groups. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03134833) and is completed. We screened 2314 adolescents beginning May 1, 2017, to enrol 1037 participants (45%) aged 16-24 years between May 6, 2017, and Aug 30, 2019, of whom 895 (86%) had follow-up assessments and were included in the analytical sample (313 assigned to AMMI only, 205 assigned to AMMI plus peer support, 196 assigned to AMMI plus coaching, and 181 assigned to AMMI plus peer support and coaching). Follow-up was completed on Nov 8, 2021. Participants were diverse in race and ethnicity (362 [40%] Black or African American, 257 [29%] Latinx or Hispanic, 184 [21%] White, and 53 [6%] Asian or Pacific Islander) and other sociodemographic factors. At baseline, 591 (66%) participants reported anal sex without a condom in the past 12 months. PrEP use matched that in young people nationally, with 101 (11%) participants reporting current PrEP use at baseline, increasing at 4 months to 132 (15%) and continuing to increase in the AMMI plus peer support and coaching group (odds ratio 2·31, 95% CI 1·28-4·14 vs AMMI control). There was no evidence for intervention effect on condom use, PEP use (ie, prescription or adherence), PrEP adherence, or sexual partner numbers. No unanticipated or study-related adverse events occurred. Results are consistent with hypothesised synergistic intervention effects of evidence-based functions of informational, motivational, and reminder messaging; peer support for HIV prevention; and strengths-based, goal-focused, and problem-solving telehealth coaching delivered by near-peer paraprofessionals. These core functions could be flexibly scaled via combinations of technology platforms and front-line or telehealth HIV prevention workers. Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions, US National Institutes of Health.

Use of a meningococcal group B vaccine (4CMenB) in populations at high risk of gonorrhoea in the UK.

The meningococcal group B vaccine, 4CMenB, is a broad-spectrum, recombinant protein vaccine that is licensed for protection against meningococcal group B disease in children and adults. Over the past decade, several observational studies supported by laboratory studies have reported protection by 4CMenB against gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhoea is a major global public health problem, with rising numbers of diagnoses and increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics. In England, more than 82 000 cases of gonorrhoea were diagnosed in 2022, with nearly half of the cases diagnosed among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. There are currently no licensed vaccines against gonorrhoea but 4CMenB is estimated to provide 33-47% protection against gonorrhoea. On Nov 10, 2023, the UK Joint Scientific Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation agreed that a targeted programme should be initiated using 4CMenB to prevent gonorrhoea among individuals at higher risk of infection attending sexual health services in the UK. This decision was made after reviewing evidence from retrospective and prospective observational studies, laboratory and clinical data, national surveillance reports, and health economic analyses. In this Review, we summarise the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea in England, the evidence supporting the use of 4CMenB for protection against gonorrhoea, and the data needed to inform long-term programme planning and extension to the wider population.

Identifying Implementation Strategies to Enhance HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake Among Black Cisgender Women in New Orleans, Louisiana.

There is an unmet need for HIV prevention among Black cisgender women. From January to November 2020, we conducted formative research to develop locally informed implementation strategies to enhance pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among Black cisgender women in New Orleans, Louisiana. Following an iterative process, we conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with Black women who were not taking PrEP and used those findings to inform IDIs with Black women taking PrEP. We asked about PrEP awareness, social support, PrEP-related norms, medical mistrust, motivation to take PrEP, and potential implementation strategies. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. We established the Black Women and PrEP (BWAP) Task Force-a diverse group of 25 Black female community representatives who reviewed the IDI findings and identified strategies to address these determinants of PrEP uptake. We interviewed 12 Black women who were not taking PrEP and 13 Black women who were taking PrEP. Two main PrEP uptake barriers were identified from the IDI findings and Task Force discussions. First, Black women do not know of other Black women taking PrEP. Women perceived PrEP as a drug for gay men. Most said that testimonials from Black women taking PrEP would make its use more relatable. Second, Black women are not frequently offered PrEP by their providers. Many preferred accessing PrEP through women's health providers. The Task Force identified two strategies to address these barriers: a social media campaign for women and an educational initiative to train providers to discuss and prescribe PrEP. These implementation strategies require further study.

Lesbian Lives in Soviet Latvia: The Narratives

This article employs narrative analysis to examine three testimonies provided by individuals who were contemporaries of lesbians in Soviet Latvia. The author’s research is based on two oral history interviews and the diary entries of a homosexual man, dating between the 1950s and 1980s. The research was carried out in four stages: (1) story analysis; (2) identification of main topics and characters; (3) identification of main terms and tone; and (4) extraction of three key narratives. The findings demonstrate, firstly, the lack of terminology to describe homosexual/non-heterosexual relationships between women when referencing the Soviet time. This indicates that contemporary terms used by the LGBTQI+ community may not be valid for analysing the experiences of non-heterosexual people in Soviet Latvia. Secondly, the testimonies described in this article view same-sex women’s relationships through heteronormative lens as deviating from the norm. Thirdly, the article highlights how rigid expectations of “manly” and “womanly” behaviour and traits are used to judge compliance with or deviation from societal norms. The understanding of non-heterosexual relationships between women, as evidenced by the sources, cannot be standardised. While the testimonies reference non-heterosexual relationships between women, they also mention same-sex relationships, which may have formed due to socioeconomic conditions and different intimate bonds.

Protocol for a systematic review and critical discourse analysis of research on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programme use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Background HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill that prevents the transmission of HIV from sexual partners living with HIV; it is frequently taken by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). PrEP is often provided through formal PrEP programmes. Research on these programmes may employ discourses shaped by heteronormativity and homophobia. Given that expert language influences how HIV prevention is understood and delivered, problematic discourses in research likely extends into PrEP programme implementation. This review will use critical discourse analysis (CDA) to explore research on PrEP programme implementation for gbMSM. Within this literature, we will identify interpretive repertoires used to discuss gbMSM; the subject positions afforded to gbMSM; and the implications of these interpretive repertoires and subject positions for gbMSM engaging with HIV PrEP programmes. Methods Relevant articles will be identified through timebound searching (2012-present) in ProQuest ASSIA, EBSCOhost PsycInfo, OVID Medline, OVID Embase, and EBSCOhost CINAHL, with forward and backward citation searching of included studies. Grey literature will be identified through ProQuest and Google Scholar. Screening will be conducted by two independent reviewers, who will conduct double screening for titles, abstracts, and full texts. Data will be analysed and synthesised using CDA informed by critical realism (CR). CDA focuses on relationships between language and power, including how language enables inequality. The analytic process will explore the background of included studies, identify overarching themes, analyse external and internal relations in included studies, and interpret the meaning of identified themes and relations. Conclusions Highlighting issues with discourses in PrEP implementation may enhance reflective engagement with assumptions underlying this research, preventing further stigmatisation of gbMSM’s sexual and protective practices. As PrEP programmes become more common globally, more diverse and inclusive perspectives in PrEP programme research may inform interventions that enhance their acceptability and ultimately their implementation.

Affective and Attitudinal Features of Benevolent Heterosexism in Italy: The Italian Validation of the Multidimensional Heterosexism Inventory

Abstract Introduction People who belong to a sexual and gender minority often face prejudices that have their roots in heterosexism, a sociocultural system that can manifest itself in different ways and sometimes in a seemingly benevolent fashion. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Heterosexism Inventory (MHI), a scale assessing aversive, amnestic, paternalistic, and positive stereotypic heterosexism, in an Italian sample. Methods Two hundred one cisgender and heterosexual individuals (129 women and 72 men) aged 18 to 81 years (M = 36.42, SD = 12.56) were recruited online between May and October 2022 and answered questions about social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, ambivalent sexism, and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Results Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original 4-factor model of the scale fit the data well. Predictive and convergent validity of the Italian version of the MHI was adequate, whereas discriminant validity was not fully achieved due to overlap of multidimensional heterosexism with hostile and benevolent sexism and authoritarianism. Scores were higher for aversive and amnesic heterosexism in men than in women, but not for paternalistic and positive stereotypic heterosexism. Finally, less educated participants, those with no LGBTQI + friends, and religious participants were higher in all MHI subscales than their counterparts. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence for the validity and reliability of an Italian version of the MHI. Policy Implications Using the MHI can help to make visible not only the explicit but also the subtle forms of heterosexism, thus recognizing the multidimensional nature of heterosexism produced in social institutions.

Psychological Responses and Coping Mechanisms of Gay Men in Adapting HIV/AIDS: A Qualitative Study

Aims: This study explores the psychological responses and coping mechanisms employed by gay men in adapting to HIV/AIDS. Methods: This research is qualitative research with descriptive methods. The sample was taken using a purposive sampling technique with inclusion criteria, namely: gays who were declared positive for HIV/AIDS as proven by a doctor's statement stating that they were positive for COVID-19, were undergoing medical treatment both inpatient and outpatient, had experience interacting with nurses when undergoing treatment. This study involved four key informants to recruit potential participants who meet the inclusion criteria. Data analysis involved thematic analysis. Results: 14 participants were included. Four themes emerged: (1) anxiety and stress arising from interpersonal conflicts post-diagnosis, (2) diverse stages of the grieving process, (3) feelings of helplessness confronting the reality of HIV/AIDS, and (4) utilization of problem-solving coping mechanisms as a means of acceptance. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of empowering gay men with HIV/AIDS by facilitating access to healthcare and social support. Empowerment enhances their ability to leverage internal resources to manage the disease, ultimately aiding them in leading more fulfilling lives.

Differences in Tobacco Advertising Receptivity Among Young Adults by Sexual Identity and Sex: Findings From the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

Tobacco use is disproportionately high among sexual minorities (i.e., lesbian/gay and bisexual [LGB] individuals). Receptivity to tobacco advertising is an established risk factor for tobacco use among the general population, yet little research has assessed how receptivity to tobacco advertising differs based on sexual identity and sex. Additionally, studies often fail to distinguish between LGB identities, creating a monolith of sexual identity that ignores different underlying risk factors and behaviors. This study examined differences in receptivity to advertising of five tobacco product categories (any tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco) between straight/heterosexual and lesbian/gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults by sex. We used data from Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Restricted Use File. Analyses were limited to young adults (aged 18–24) with complete data on sexual identity (n= 8,839). Multivariable logistic regressions examined the association between receptivity and sexual identity, controlling for demographics, past 30-day tobacco use, and media use, stratified by sex. In the multivariable models, gay males had higher odds of receptivity to cigar advertising and gay and bisexual males had higher odds of receptivity to e-cigarette advertising, compared with straight/heterosexual males. Compared with straight/heterosexual females, bisexual females had higher odds of receptivity to advertising for all products; lesbian/gay females had higher odds of receptivity to any tobacco advertising. In conclusion, our study identified elevated receptivity to tobacco marketing among sexual minorities—particularly sexual minority women. More research is needed to understand the sources of exposure to tobacco advertising and the reasons for elevated receptivity among LGB individuals.

The Role of Animal Companions in the Bereavement Experiences of Australian Lesbians and Gay Men.

All too often, humans who experience the death of a partner are directed towards other humans for support, ignoring the important role that animal companions play in the lives of many humans. For lesbians and gay men specifically - whose grief may be disenfranchised - animal companions may play a particularly important role. This paper reports on a secondary analysis of interviews with 10 Australian lesbians or gay men who had lost a partner due to non-HIV related issues. Six of the participants spoke impromptu about the importance of animal companions following the death of a partner. Thematic analysis resulted in the development of three themes: (1) animals provide comfort and company, (2) animals serve as a reminder of partners, and (3) animals give people a reason to go on. The paper concludes by considering the importance of speaking about animals in the context of research and practice related to human bereavement.

Problematic alcohol use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada: the role of proximal stressors and anxiety

BackgroundGay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) report high rates of problematic alcohol use, anxiety, and depression. This may, in part, be due to stressors related to their sexual identity (i.e., minority stressors). However, few studies have examined both distal and proximal stressors, as well as the specific psychological mechanisms by which these stressors may be related to alcohol use outcomes, in a representative sample of GBM. We explored the relationship between distal and proximal stressors and alcohol use outcomes, as well as the role of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of these relationships.MethodsWe analyzed the baseline data of 2,449 GBM from Engage, a cohort study of sexually active GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver from February 2017 to August 2019. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the associations between distal minority stressors (i.e., experiences of heterosexist harassment, rejection, and discrimination), proximal minority stressors (i.e., internalized homonegativity, concerns about acceptance, concealment, and lack of affirmation), anxiety and depression, and alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. RDS-adjusted analyses controlled for age, income, sexual orientation, ethnicity, recruitment city, and HIV serostatus.ResultsThere were positive direct associations between distal stress and proximal stress, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use outcomes. Proximal stress had a positive direct association with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use problems, but not alcohol consumption. Anxiety was positively associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. Depression was negatively associated with alcohol consumption but not alcohol use problems. Regarding indirect effects, distal stress was associated with alcohol use outcomes via proximal stress and anxiety, but not via depression.ConclusionsWe found support for a minority stress model as it relates to alcohol use outcomes among GBM. Findings suggest that proximal minority stress and anxiety differentially impact the problematic alcohol use among GBM who experience heterosexist discrimination. Clinical providers should consider incorporating the treatment of proximal minority stressors and anxiety into existing alcohol interventions for GBM.

What Do Different People Look for in a Partner? Effects of Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Mating Strategies on Partner Preferences.

Partner preferences are an important differential in relationship formation and evolutionary fitness, and vary according to individual, ecological, and social factors. In this study, we evaluated the variation in preference for intelligence, kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and socioeconomic level among individuals of different sexes and sexual orientations in a Brazilian sample. We analyzed the preference scores of 778 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women in three budgeted mate design tasks (low vs. medium vs. high budget) and their association with sociosexuality, attachment styles, homogamy, and willingness to engage in short- and long-term relationships. Results indicated a global trait preference order, with intelligence ranking first, followed by kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and lastly by socioeconomic status. Typical sex differences were observed mostly within the heterosexual group, and specific combinations of sex and sexual orientation were linked to variation in preference for physical attractiveness, kindness, and socioeconomic status. We also found unique associations of the other variables with partner preferences and with willingness to engage in short- or long-term relationships. By exploring the partner preferences of non-heterosexual individuals from a Latin American country, an underrepresented group in evolutionary psychology research, our results help understand the universal and specific factors that guide partner preferences and human sexual behavior.

HIV-Related Stigma and Treatment Adherence Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Crystal Meth in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City.

Internationally, HIV-related stigma and crystal methamphetamine (meth) use have been described as barriers to treatment adherence among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). Crystal meth use has been increasing among gbMSM in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between HIV-related stigma and HIV treatment adherence among gbMSM who use crystal meth in the MAMC. This study was undertaken as part of an exploratory study of crystal meth use in the MAMC. The data were collected from September to December 2021 through an encrypted online survey. Participants (n = 89) were gbMSM adults living with HIV who reported crystal meth use in the past month that were recruited through an online snowball sampling. The online survey included questions about HIV treatment adherence, sexual behaviors, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involved Screening Test, and the HIV-Related Stigma Mechanisms Scale. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between HIV-related stigma and HIV treatment adherence. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that, controlling for health insurance [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.13; 95% confidence intervals (CI) =0.02-0.59] and educational level (AOR = 0.16; 95% CI =0.02-0.88), non-adherence to HIV treatment was independently associated with higher HIV-related stigma (AOR = 1.06; 95% CI=1.01-1.12). Public health policies must include HIV-related stigma and substance use in treating gbMSM with HIV.

Understanding how gay men construct ‘good’ chemsex participation using critical discursive psychology

ABSTRACT Research to date has focused on the potential issues arising from chemsex and often seeks to uncover what is ‘wrong’ with those who are motivated to engage in chemsex. Critical chemsex studies reaches beyond this harm-orientated focus and instead adopts a social justice approach that recognises chemsex participants as legitimate sexual citizens. The present study – comprising eight interviews with gay men living in Ireland – is situated within this critical research praxis. Using a critical discursive psychology framework, our analysis demonstrates how participants draw on various interpretative repertoires to discursively negotiate chemsex identities in a bid to position themselves in a culturally intelligible manner. Participants deployed three key repertoires, centred around (i) harm, (ii) essentialism, and (iii) ethics. These repertoires are deployed in an interweaving manner to ultimately construct a dynamic, hierarchal continuum of chemsex participants – from flourishing, to flailing. Our analysis demonstrates how chemsex participants construct ‘other’ chemsex users as ‘flailing’ towards the bottom of the continuum by mobilising repertoires that draw upon prevailing moralistic notions of ‘good’ sexual citizenship. We argue that the mainstream construction of chemsex as inevitably harmful is restrictive and produces a deficit understanding of chemsex participants, and discuss the possibilities for discursively reimagining chemsex participation.

Relationship status moderates sexual prejudice directed toward lesbian women but not gay men

ABSTRACT To determine whether relationship status moderates sexual prejudice, we compared heterosexual men and women’s self-reported social distancing toward gay and lesbian targets who varied in relationship status (coupled, single, no information). Relationship status of gay male targets did not affect responses (Study 1): heterosexual men reported increased social distancing toward gay compared to heterosexual male targets, whereas women did not. Similarly, in Study 2, heterosexual men reported increased social distancing toward lesbian compared to heterosexual female targets, but women did not, and men reported decreased social distancing toward single lesbian women. Working from an affordance management approach, Study 3 replicated Studies 1 and 2, testing potential mediators of effects. In particular, heterosexual men reported increased social distancing toward gay male targets, compared to responses from heterosexual women. Moreover, heterosexual women reported increased social distancing toward single, compared to coupled, lesbian targets, mediated through perceptions of undesired sexual interest from the target. This work demonstrates the nuanced nature of sexual prejudice and provides further evidence of the role of perceptions of undesired sexual interest in prejudiced responses toward lesbian and gay individuals.

The Use and Perception of Reclaimed Group Labels for Lesbian Women and Gay Men

This research tests whether self-labelling with a derogatory or reclaimed label is perceived as an act of reclamation. A pilot study ( N = 102) identified English terms used to label lesbian women and gay men. The main study ( N = 276) used a between-groups vignette design in which participants read about a woman/man self-labelling with a descriptive (lesbian/gay), reclaimed (queer), or derogatory group (dyke/fag) label. We assessed perceptions of the speaker (control/influence, agency, and efficacy) and group power, label offensiveness, and the likelihood of using the label in the future. Descriptive labels were perceived as less offensive and more likely to be used compared to reclaimed and derogatory labels. For gay men, using a derogatory label compared to other labels decreased perceived agency, but did not influence control/influence and efficacy. For lesbian women, there were no differences in perceptions of power depending on the label used.

Reshaping the narrative: Tracing the historical trajectory of HIV/AIDS, gay men, and public health in Sweden.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) emerged as an endemic health crisis in the United States during the early 1980s. Initially labelled a "gay disease" due to its prevalence among gay men, the spread of HIV led to widespread fear and moral panic, as there was limited medical knowledge on preventing its transmission. While HIV is often associated with Sub-Saharan Africa, this article focuses on Sweden, a pioneering nation that became the first to achieve the remarkable Joint UNAIDS/WHO 90-90-90 continuum in addressing the epidemic. However, despite this significant milestone, the punitive legislation and attitudes prevalent in Sweden have had a counterproductive effect on curbing the virus's spread. Drawing upon a comprehensive triangulation of various data and sources on the evolution of public policy in Sweden, this article argues for the urgent need to reduce stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. By undertaking further measures to combat stigmatisation, we not only have the potential to prevent the spread of HIV but also significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals living with the virus. An essential step in this journey is to eliminate the legally-enforced mandatory disclosure of one's HIV status, which would mark a tremendous victory for all those affected. With limited evidence to support the effectiveness of criminalisation and penal laws, no longer being viewed as criminals for non-disclosure would be a monumental achievement, positively transforming the lives of people living with HIV and fostering a more inclusive and supportive society.

Initial Development and Validation of the Brief Internalized Heterosexist Racism Scale for Gay and Bisexual Black Men: A Measure of Internalized Heterosexist Racism.

We introduce internalized heterosexist racism (IHR), or the internalization of damaging stereotypes, harmful beliefs, and negative attitudes about being a sexual minority person of color. We also present the initial development and validation of the Brief Internalized Heterosexist Racism Scale for gay and bisexual Black men (IHR-GBBM), a unidimensional, 10-item measure of IHR. Exploratory factor analyses on an internet-obtained sample of gay and bisexual Black men (N = 312; Mean age = 30.36 years) show that the IHR-GBBM had evidence of good internal consistency, and good convergent, discriminant, concurrent, and incremental validity. The IHR-GBBM was positively correlated with internalized racism, internalized heterosexism, and discrimination (racist, heterosexist). IHR was also negatively correlated with race stigma consciousness, weakly positively correlated with sexual identity stigma consciousness, but not correlated with either race identity, sexual identity, or social desirability. Hierarchical regressions showed that the IHR-GBBM explained an additional variance of 2.8% and 3.1% in anxiety symptoms and substance use coping, respectively, after accounting for (1) sociodemographics, (2) internalized racism and internalized heterosexism, and (3) an interaction of internalized racism and internalized heterosexism. Older participants and those who were "out" about their sexual identity reported lower IHR. Those who did not know/want to report their HIV status reported greater IHR. Results revealed no sexual identity, sexual position, relationship status, income, education, or employment status differences in IHR. We hope the development of the IHR-GBBM spurs future research on predictors and consequences of IHR. We discuss limitations and implications for the future study of internalized heterosexist racism.

A dyadic analysis of anti-fat attitudes and partners’ diet-related influence among gay married men

Objectives The focus on physical appearance among gay men has potential implications for anti-fat attitudes, including those directed toward romantic partners. Partners often influence each other’s behaviors including those linked to weight, but most research has examined the consequences of these influence strategies versus their antecedents. To address this research gap, we examined how men’s own and their partners’ anti-fat attitudes were related to both health-promoting (control) and health-compromising (undermining) types of diet-related influence and whether these associations differed by weight status. Methods and Results Analyzing data from a cross-sectional online survey of 450 U.S. adult gay married men (225 couples), Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed that individuals’ own anti-fat attitudes (all types) were positively associated with more frequent receipt of spousal control and undermining. Additionally, partner’s fears about gaining weight were positively associated with more frequent receipt of spousal control and dislike of higher weight people and fear of gaining weight (among those of higher weight status) were positively associated with more frequent receipt of spousal undermining. Conclusion Our findings add to the literature on diet-related interactions among gay married men, highlight the value of examining these processes dyadically, and suggest the importance of including both members of couples in health promotion and intervention efforts.

"…full of opportunities, but not for everyone": A narrative inquiry into mechanisms of labor market inequity among precariously employed gay, bisexual, and queer men.

This study brings lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (trans), and queer (LGBTQ+) populations into scholarly discourse related to precarious employment through a political economy of queer struggle. Drawing on narrative inquiry, 20 gay, bisexual, and queer men shared stories of precarious employment that were analyzed using Polkinghorne's narrative analysis. Results tell an overarching narrative in three parts that follow the trajectory of participants' early life experiences, entering the labor market and being precariously employed. Part 1: Devaluation of LGBTQ+ identities and adverse life experiences impacted participants' abilities to plan their careers and complete postsecondary education. Part 2: Participants experienced restricted opportunities due to safety concerns and learned to navigate white, cis, straight, Canadian ideals that are valued in the labor market. Part 3: Participants were without protections to respond to hostile treatment for fear of losing their employment. These stories of precarious employment illustrate unique ways that LGBTQ+ people might be particularly susceptible to exploitative labor markets.