“Let’s Hook Up When the Pandemic is Over:” Latinx Sexual Minority Men’s Sexual Behavior During COVID-19

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 led to substantial changes in individuals’ lives due to preventive measures, including social distancing and “stay at home” orders. One type of social interaction likely impacted is intimacy and sexual relationships. Sexual minority men have long navigated the impact of another pandemic, HIV, on their sexual lives. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on Latinx sexual minority men’s (LSMM) sexual behaviors in South Florida, an HIV and COVID-19 epicenter. A rapid qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with LSMM (N = 20) revealed five themes: (1) increased sex with a primary partner, (2) fewer sexual partners, (3) continued pre-COVID-19 sexual activity, often following “quarantine fatigue,” (4) opportunities and challenges related to navigating COVID-19 prevention and sex, and (5) using sexual networking apps in new ways. The findings suggest LSMM’s resilience and their ongoing health needs during COVID-19, with implications for interventions to promote LSMM’s safe and satisfying sex.

Acknowledgments

This work was completed with support from the Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities -U54MD002266 (Behar Zusman), the Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health –P30MH116867 (Safren), and the Miami Center for AIDS Research - P30AI073961 (Pahwa). Author time was supported by K23MD015690 (Harkness) and K24DA040489 (Safren). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Declaration Of Interest

Dr. Safren receives royalties from Oxford University Press, Guilford Publications, and Springer/Humana press for books on cognitive behavioral therapy. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial competing interests to report.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [P30AI073961]; National Institute of Mental Health [P30MH116867]; National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities [K23MD015690,U54MD002266]; Safren [K24DA040489].