Straight Males Research Articles

The Dreamer and the Dream: Afrofuturism and Black Religious Thought by Roger A. Sneed

Reviewed by: The Dreamer and the Dream: Afrofuturism and Black Religious Thoughtby Roger A. Sneed Ruth Myers Shaping God and Shaping Change. Roger A. Sneed. The Dreamer and the Dream: Afrofuturism and Black Religious Thought. Ohio State UP, 2021. xiv+ 181 pp. $99.95 hc, $29.95 pbk & ebk. Roger A. Sneed's The Dreamer and the Dream: Afrofuturism and Black Religious Thoughtis an important contribution to the critical scholarship that addresses Black science fiction and spirituality. Given his academic background, Sneed offers a corrective to traditional forms of Black spirituality found in Black liberation theology. For scholars such as bell hooks, James Cone, and Cornell West, Black spirituality remains tied to Christian ideology, [End Page 401]limiting the possibilities for Black queer identities and thought. Sneed's perspective, however, is unbounded by previous ideas regarding Black religious thought. Necessarily, then, he begins his book by making a distinction between Black religion and Black church in order to clarify his terminology. Distinguishing himself from traditional schools of Black spirituality, Sneed likewise encourages readers to broaden their views of Black spirituality to encompass the imaginative properties essential to Afrofuturism. Free from the limitations of rigid theological confines, the Afrofuturist can engage in all modes of spirituality, which is inextricable from both "nam[ing] (and shap[ing]) God" (3). Mirroring the spiritual endeavors of Lauren Olamina in Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower(1993), Sneed likewise contends that "God is change. Change is God. We shape that change, and that change shapes us" (2). For Olamina and Sneed alike, institutionalized forms of spirituality often "rob us of the creative possibilities inherent in the encounters with God-as-world" (2). According to Sneed, regardless of their spiritual backgrounds, human beings are critically involved in shaping God and shaping future possibilities for Black people. Afrofuturism is an eschatological endeavor in which humans create a future that, if we are to have any hope, does not mirror the horrors of a collective racist history. Despite the fact that theological training comprises much of his educational background, Sneed asserts that he is "not writing theology" (xii). Yet his writings are not entirely agnostic either. In opposition to spiritual binaries, Sneed offers an alternative space by bringing Black spirituality together with Afrofuturism, a combination he sees as productive and helpful for imagining future possibilities freed from oppressive bounds of racist thinking. For Sneed, engaging in Afrofuturism is inherently both prophetic and imaginative (3). Afrofuturism resists not only the religious circumscription of former modes of Black spirituality, but is also an important tool of resistance against white supremacy that delimits the potential possibilities for Black life. Although Afrofuturism counters the racist ideology of white supremacy, "racism is not necessarily Afrofuturism's central concern" (151). Likewise, as a formidable counter to narratives that center white characters and marginalize Black ones, Afrofuturism is unabashed in its assertions of Black centrality: "Afrofuturistic consciousness yields a vision of Blackness that … is not bound by whiteness" (2). Afrofuturism not only represents Black concerns but also centers on the power and triumph of Black hope. In this way, Afrofuturism maintains a focus both on Black characters and Black audiences. Sneed defines Afrofuturism as "Black people throughout the African diaspora taking science fiction, horror, fantasy, and other forms of speculative fiction and repurposing them into the service of more fully describing Black lives, experiences and concerns" (20). As such, Afrofuturism can be seen as a mechanism to expose the systems of oppression that have historically (and presently) function to threaten and exploit Black lives. According to Sneed, Afrofuturism at its best is intersectional, providing space for a multitude of [End Page 402]Black identities. In contrast to both the white straight males pictured in much of traditional sf and the heteronormative Blackness inherent in Black liberation theology, Sneed argues that Afrofuturist writers often write, sing, and envision characters with expansive, intersectional identities. For example, as Sneed suggests, all of Octavia Butler's protagonists are Black women who often hold non-traditional beliefs and/or orientations. Following this model, Afrofuturism is concerned not just with representing peoples of various races and genders, but also those who maintain different modes of being in the...

Genetics or Environment: Tracing the Root Cause of Increasing Homosexual Population

The number of homosexuals at present is enormously increasing in the Philippines. These homosexuals established themselves in the academe, government, services, industry and in the private sectors. They contributed a lot in the society shaping government policies where they were given attention especially in their demands of acceptance and equality. However, some homosexuals are also contributing the spread of disease particularly HIV-AIDS due to their sexual practices and activities. The increase of this group of individuals causes a distortion on the growth of human population since they do not produce offspring due to same sex partnership. This study investigated the root cause of homosexuality and the link of these homosexual’s sexual orientation and behavior with its family influences, environment, exposure to violence and childhood experiences. It has been a long debate known as nature-nurture debate whether homosexuality is caused by genetics or environment. Using a constructed validated questionnaire, four hundred fifty-five persons that have tendencies to be homosexuals were selected and their responses were gathered. Describing their sexual orientations, out of the total 455 individuals, 56 (12.3%) were straight males and 88 (19.34%) were straight females, 96 (21.09%) admitted to be bisexual, 123 (27.03%) were gays and 91 (20%) were lesbians. The results of data analysis using Chi-square test, showed that there was a significant association between the sexual orientation and the birth order as well as an individual having a homosexual sibling and history of childhood abuse.

Prevalence and Sociodemographic and Behavioral Correlates of Psychological Distress among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States, 2013-2018

Background: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population comprises approximately 5.6% of the total US population. Levels and patterns of psychological distress in the LGBT population are less well known compared with the general population. This study examines the prevalence and sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of psychological distress among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults in the United States. Methods: Using the pooled cross-sectional data from the 2013-2018 National Health Interview Surveys (N=183,020), differentials in serious psychological distress (SPD) and factor-based psychological distress scores were analyzed by multivariate linear and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of SPD was 8.0% for the LGB population aged ≥18, 7.0% for gay and bisexual males, and 8.9% for LGB females, compared with 3.4% for the total straight/heterosexual population, 2.7% for straight males, and 4.0% for straight females. Mean psychological distress index scores were highest among LGB females (109.8), followed by gay and bisexual males (105.8), straight females (100.6), and straight males (97.7). Compared with the straight population, LGB adults had higher education, unemployment, and poverty levels and were more likely to be non-Hispanic White and single. LGB adults were more likely to smoke and drink alcohol and more likely to be physically active than straight adults. LGB females had higher obesity but gay and bisexual males had lower obesity rates than their straight counterparts. After controlling for covariates, LGB adults had 89% higher odds of SPD and significantly higher distress levels than straight adults. Younger age, lower-income, divorce/separation, lack of health insurance, functional limitation, smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity were significant predictors of SPD and higher psychological distress levels in LGB adults. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: Significant disparities in mental health exist, with LGB adults at substantially increased risk of psychological distress and likely in greater need of appropriate social and mental health services. Health policies aimed at improving the material conditions and social environments may lead to improved mental health outcomes among LGB adults and the general population. Copyright © 2022 Singh, et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

Gender and Sexual Orientation Disparities in Smoking, Cadmium Exposure, and Estimated GFR: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2014

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease characterized by structural, molecular, and functional nephron changes that eventually result in permanent loss of function. CKD can lead to heart disease, stroke, and end stage kidney disease. Studies have linked cadmium exposure to decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal pathogenesis. The main non-occupational pathway for cadmium exposure is from tobacco smoke. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals have one of the highest subpopulation smoking rates, yet studies have not examined if they have higher cadmium exposure or renal disease burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender and sexual orientation disparities in cadmium exposure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2014 in 16,576 individuals. METHODS: The analysis used a combination of geometric means and survey linear regression to evaluate cadmium burden and eGFR. RESULTS:The percentage of smokers among LGB participants was higher (44.2%) than in straight participants (28.7%). Comparing geometric mean blood cadmium of males showed that straight men have the lowest cadmium levels (0.297 ng/L) and bisexual men have the highest cadmium levels (0.347 ng/L). Among females, straight females have the lowest cadmium levels (0.354 ng/L) and gay females have the highest cadmium levels (0.446 ng/L). There were statistically significant differences between odds ratios of low eGFR by gender and sexual orientation. Compared to straight males, the odds ratio for low eGFR among gay males was 0.824 (95% CI 0.820, 0.827; p0.0003) bisexual males was 0.634 (95% CI 0.549, 0.555; p0.0001), straight females was 0.844 (95% CI 0.843, 0.845; p0.0001), gay females was 0.783 (95% CI 0.778, 0.788; p0.0001), and bisexual females was 1.092 (95% CI 1.089, 1.096; p0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:This analysis highlights the need for additional research specifically addressing disparities related to gender identity and sexual orientation. KEYWORDS: NHANES, cadmium, kidney disease, sexual orientation, gender, disparities

(Un)tethered masculinities, (mis)placed modernities: Queering futurity in contemporary Singapore

This article considers how socio-political prescriptions can bring about the queering of futurity in Singapore. In Singapore, state-sponsored narratives of progress view futurity in terms that are bound to place, and reproduced through the heteronormative family unit. These factors have caused constructions of masculinity to be tethered to the family, and placed within public housing. Recently, this narrative has become an increasingly inflexible and marginalizing construct that can cause straight males to be queered by their prescribed futures. In contrast, gay males are more likely to be untethered from their families, and thus occupy “unplaced” positions in Singapore’s social structure.

Violent Victimization Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations in the United States: Findings From the National Crime Victimization Survey, 2017-2018.

Objectives. To estimate US nonlethal violent victimization rates for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) males and females aged 16 years and older and to compare disparities among LGB and straight males and females, controlling for other correlates of victimization.Methods. We used data from the 2017 and 2018 National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to provide nationally representative rates of various forms of violent victimization for self-identified LGB and straight persons. Multivariable models assessed the risk for violence associated with LGB status.Results. Total violence rates were 2 to 9 times higher among LGB persons compared with heterosexuals. For some forms of violence (e.g., rape and sexual assault, violence with serious injuries, and multiple offender violence) there were notably high disparities between bisexuals and heterosexuals. With adjustment for covariates, LGB orientation was associated with odds ratios nearly 2 to 4 times those of heterosexuals.Conclusions. This is one of the first known uses of NCVS data to estimate LGB victimization, revealing substantially higher rates of violence directed at LGB individuals.Public Health Implications. Sexual orientation and gender identity questions in federal surveys such as the NCVS enable monitoring of violent victimization rates and should continue. Collecting these data can help researchers understand victimization risk and guide appropriate resources toward victim services, especially important given the high violent crime levels experienced by LGB individuals.

Child and Adolescent Pornography Exposure.

Child and Adolescent Pornography Exposure.

The Secret Engineer

A call for diversity in a profession dominated by white, straight males

Sexual Orientation Trajectories Based on Sexual Attractions, Partners, and Identity: A Longitudinal Investigation From Adolescence Through Young Adulthood Using a U.S. Representative Sample

Defining sexual minority status longitudinally over critical developmental periods is essential for understanding the roots of health disparities. Theory supports multidimensional continuums, but current research often examines single measures of sexual activity, sexual attractions, or self-labeled identity separately. Here, a new typology of longitudinal latent classes describes dynamic multidimensional processes continuing from late adolescence (ages 16 to 18) through the late 20s. Using Add Health data (N = 6,864), longitudinal latent class analysis (LLCA), a person-centered approach, showed significant differences between the orientation experiences of males and females (invariance tests led to stratification by sex). The male LLCA model predicted four classes: straight males (87.4%), minimal sexual expression males (6.5%), mostly straight and bi males (3.8%), and emerging gay males (2.4%). The female LLCA model predicted five classes: straight females (73.8%), minimal sexual expression females (7%), mostly straight discontinuous females (10.2%), emerging bi females (7.5%), and emerging lesbian females (1.5%). Some classes represent generally consistent indicators across dimensions over time, while other classes describe more emerging or discontinuous trajectories. Substantial changes were common not only from late adolescence to the early 20s but also from the early 20s to the late 20s, indicating that sexual orientation development continues throughout emerging adulthood.

Online tobacco marketing among US adolescent sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic minorities

IntroductionThe tobacco industry has previously targeted sexual/gender and racial/ethnic minorities with focused campaigns in traditional, offline marketing. We assess whether these populations report more engagement with online tobacco marketing compared with heterosexual and non-Hispanic white youth. MethodsData were from 8015 adolescents sampled between 2014 and 2015 in the nationally-representative Population Assessment for Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Engagement with online tobacco marketing within the past year was assessed through eight forms of engagement. A weighted logistic regression model was fit with engagement as outcome and socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics, internet-related and substance use behavior, tobacco-related risk factors, tobacco use status, and prior engagement with online tobacco marketing as covariates. ResultsAccounting for other covariates including tobacco use status and prior engagement with online tobacco marketing, the odds of past-year engagement were higher for sexual minority males (aOR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.05–2.35) compared to straight males and higher for sexual minority females (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.13–1.87) compared to straight females. The odds of past-year engagement were also higher for Hispanics (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11–1.56) and non-Hispanic Blacks (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.14–1.77) compared to non-Hispanic Whites. ConclusionsSexual/gender and and racial/ethnic minority youth reported higher engagement with online tobacco marketing than their heterosexual and non-Hispanic white peers, respectively.

Materializing gay identity

Abstract This paper aims at investigating (1) whether young Thai adults can distinguish between straight male and gay-sounding speech and (2) how listeners feel about speech sounds performed by Thai straight and gay speakers in varying situations in terms of likeability and annoyance. Two experiments were conducted: first, straight males, gay males and females listened to voice stimuli of self-identified straight males and gay males and were asked to identify the sexual orientation of the speakers; second, another three groups of listeners were asked to rate the speakers’ levels of likeability and annoyance using a 5-point Likert scale. The findings indicate that there exist voice characteristics of gay- as opposed to straight-male sounding speech. Regarding the listeners’ perception in relation to speech style in four varying situations, the results indicate that listeners’ perception is not affected by situations in which the speech is delivered.

Sexistential Crisis: An Intersectional Analysis of Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation in Masculine Overcompensation

ABSTRACTMasculine overcompensation—a phenomenon where men react to masculinity threats by endorsing hypermasculine ideals—has been demonstrated among straight men but has yet to be examined among gay men. The current study therefore proposed to examine whether gay men overcompensate similarly to their straight counterparts by providing participants with randomized feedback that threatened their masculinity. Overcompensation was measured in 867 online respondents by administering a series of questionnaires regarding views of pornography, rape, sex roles, and political orientation. Although our hypothesis was not confirmed, results revealed the intersectionality of both sexual orientation and self-reported gender expression regarding the formation of different views and beliefs. Specifically, masculinity was differentially related to homophobic attitudes, more callous views toward victims of sexual assault, and various components of attitudes toward pornography in gay and straight men. Masculine gay males held stereotypically masculine views less strongly than their masculine straight counterparts, providing evidence that gay males adopt a different type of masculinity than straight males—something of a “masculinity lite.” Such findings point to the converging influence of sexual orientation and gender expression as contributors relevant to the attitudes of gay and straight men. This information adds to a growing body of literature on differences between gay and straight men and can be used to inform theory, education, and clinical practice, particularly in settings where men grapple with the implications of their masculinity.

Club Carib: a geo-ethnography of seduction in a Lisbon dancing bar

Over the last three decades, nightlife has become one of the most important time–spaces for the reproduction of human relationships. In this paper, we examine Club Carib, a particular nightlife space in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto neighbourhood. Our focus is on the flirting strategies that occur during dance sessions. We examine the ways in which these seduction strategies operate in relation to particular constructions of race, class, cultural capital and gender. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which young adult straight males use their bodies to negotiate the dance space. We describe how the dance space is an environment in which the (hetero)normative and patriarchal character of Lisbon’s nightlife is often reinscribed, but also at times contested.

Oznog the great and powerful

ABSTRACTI am an American gay pornographer. That is the lens through which I see and understand things. For both straight and gay males, the sex in pornography is meaningful to the extent that it works against the predetermined structures associated with ‘functional’ sex. While there are similarities in the behaviours of gay and straight males in porn sex, the meanings of the specific syllabic gestures of the sex are different. For straight men, the allure of unfettered, unlimited sex derives from the fact that each heterosexual man exists in society as a proxy for the children he may generate. For gay men, sex is devoid of this generative remove. In this Forum piece I examine the ways in which queer porn functions by arousing the viewer, and then presenting behaviours, institutions and ideas with which the viewer can identify.

Reflections on the Life Histories of Today's LGBQ Postsecondary Students

This qualitative multiple-case study utilized a life history methodology in which written and oral narratives were obtained from six postsecondary students who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or queer (LGBQ). Through the construction of life histories, the researcher endeavored to understand how past experiences and behaviors shaped the participants’ identity and established their sense of resiliency. The researcher's analysis of the data revealed discrepancies between the participants’ stories and commonly cited sexual-identity development models. In addition, some of the participants expressed resistance to sexual categories or labels and suggested that a shift has occurred in the dynamics between gay and straight males. Correlations to past research and possible implications to sexual-identity development theory, forms of masculinity, and perpetuation of LGBQ art, literature, and history are discussed.

Boys Just Want to Have Fun? Masculinity, Sexual Behaviors, and Romantic Intentions of Gay and Straight Males in College

Scholars studying college student sexual culture in the United States largely frame men as being detached from emotions, unconcerned with relationships, and in pursuit of sexual conquests. By expanding the examination of college sexual culture, an environment often associated with meaningless sexual encounters, this article tests those stereotypes in gay and straight men. We evaluate sexual behaviors, social opportunity structures, and romantic attitudes of gay and straight males in college. We find evidence that both supports and contradicts existing literature on masculine stereotypes for both groups of men. We also find that gay and straight men report different sexual scripts and romantic desires.

Patterns of cross-orientation friendships in high schools

Previous studies indicate that school friendship networks of sexual minority students (students with non-heterosexual orientations) consist mostly of straight peers, but little is known about these straight friends. This paper examines what background characteristics predict straight students’ chance of having sexual minority friends by analyzing friendship nomination data from two large high schools included in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Straight females are more likely than straight males to have cross-orientation friendships particularly with sexual minority males. Like friendships among straight students, cross-orientation friendships show a strong homophilous tendency—straight students choose sexual minority friends within their grade levels, racial groups, and academic aptitude levels. Beyond homophily, white race and high levels of academic aptitude and parent education increase straight students’ chance of having sexual minority friends in some gender combinations, consistent with previous research showing the links between these backgrounds and positive attitudes toward sexual minorities.

Body Satisfaction in Gym-active Males: An Exploration of Sexuality, Gender, and Narcissism

This study compared 80 gay and straight Australian males on self report measures of body satisfaction, masculinity, femininity, narcissism, and reasons for exercising at gyms to explore factors related to excessive exercise. Gay males are less satisfied with their bodies compared to straight males. Improving appearance was more important for gay men, while fun was considered more important for straight men. Only sexual orientation and masculinity contributed independently to body satisfaction. Straight males who scored high on masculinity were most satisfied with their bodies, while gay males who scored low on masculinity were least satisfied with their bodies, irrespective of femininity and narcissism. Hours exercising per week and fun as a reason for exercising, significantly contributed to body satisfaction.

Consuming Queer: The Commodification of Culture and its Effects on Social Acceptance

Consumers have become attracted to "exotic" or culturally related trends. By extracting and consuming styles and characteristics associated with marginalized cultures, society eliminates diversity through homogenization. Recently popular television programs such as <em>Queer Eye for the Straight Guy</em>, which depicts the make-over of a straight male by five gay hosts, displays characteristics associated with the gay community allowing for the absorption of stereotypes. Following this, the configuration of the "metrosexual" by marketers has allowed straight males to adopt the positive queer styles. Discussion groups were convened to view an episode of <em>Queer Eye</em> to discuss the program and the portrayal of gay images. Focus groups indicate that the program is a positive sign of acceptance although it reinforces mainstream stereotypes. Both <em>Queer Eye</em> and the metrosexual are a result of the break down heterosexual gender norms and production and redistribution of stereotypes which generate profit in a consumer society. Instead of dispelling stereotypes, programs like <em>Queer Eye </em>re-inscribe and validate these images. While the presence of gay characters in the media shows a movement towards greater acceptance of homosexuality, the commodification of gay stereotypes demonstrates the hegemonic nature of mass culture and the justification of exploitation through tolerance.

Queer Masculinities of Straight Men

Many straight men experience and demonstrate “queer masculinity,” defined here as ways of being masculine outside hetero-normative constructions of masculinity that disrupt, or have the potential to disrupt, traditional images of the hegemonic heterosexual masculine. This article proposes language and a typology for such men: (1) straight sissy boys, (2) social justice straight-queers, (3) elective straight-queers, (4) committed straight-queers, and (5) males living in the shadow of masculinity. The benefit of building a typology of straight-queer masculinities is to begin to give voice and legitimacy to the queerness that exists within the straight male world. Naming the diversity of masculinity and its relationship to queerness will ideally provoke greater discourse on the topic and, ideally, extend awareness of the influence of the hegemonically straight masculine context not only over gay men but straight males as well.