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Culture, Health & Sexuality
An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care
Volume 13, 2011 - Issue 4
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Original Articles

‘Stuck in the quagmire of an HIV ghetto’: the meaning of stigma in the lives of older black gay and bisexual men living with HIV in New York City

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Pages 429-442 | Received 15 Mar 2010, Accepted 02 Nov 2010, Published online: 11 Jan 2011
 

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the life history narratives of 10 poor gay and bisexual Black men over the age of 50 living with HIV/AIDS in New York City, focusing on experiences of stigma. Three overarching themes are identified. First, participants described the ways in which stigma marks them as ‘just one more body’ within social and medical institutions, emphasising the dehumanisation they experience in these settings. Second, respondents described the process of ‘knowing your place’ within social hierarchies as a means through which they are rendered tolerable. Finally, interviewees described the dynamics of stigma as all-consuming, relegating them to the ‘quagmire of an HIV ghetto’. These findings emphasise that despite advances in treatment and an aging population of persons living with HIV, entrenched social stigmas continue to endanger the well-being of Black men who have sex with men.

Dans cet article, nous analysons les récits de vie de dix hommes âgés de plus de 50 ans, vivant avec le VIH/sida à New-York, noirs, gays, bisexuels et pauvres, en nous intéressant particulièrement à leur expérience de la stigmatisation. Trois thèmes déterminants sont identifiés. Premièrement, les participants indiquent comment la stigmatisation les définit comme rien d'autre qu'un simple élément de plus au sein des institutions sociales et médicales, en mettant l'accent sur la déshumanisation à laquelle ils font face dans ces environnements. Ensuite, ils décrivent le processus selon lequel il faut se positionner au sein des hiérarchies sociales, comme un moyen pour eux de devenir tolérables. Enfin, ils définissent la dynamique de la stigmatisation comme dévorante et les reléguant au bourbier du ghetto du VIH. Ces résultats soulignent que malgré les progrès de la thérapeutique et le vieillissement des personnes vivant avec le VIH, des formes de stigmatisation sociale retranchées continuent de menacer le bien-être des hommes noirs qui ont des rapports avec les hommes.

En este artículo analizamos los relatos biográficos de diez hombres pobres de raza negra homosexuales y bisexuales de más de 50 años seropositivos/con sida de Nueva York, prestando especial atención al estigma que sufren. Se identificaron tres temas predominantes. En primer lugar, los participantes describieron el modo en que el estigma les marca cuando son tratados como un simple número en las instituciones sociales y médicas y recalcaron la deshumanización que sufren en estos entornos. En segundo lugar, los entrevistados describieron el proceso de conocer su lugar en las jerarquías sociales como medio para ser considerados seres tolerables. Para terminar, los entrevistados describieron las dinámicas del estigma como una experiencia avasalladora que les relega al cenagal del gueto de seropositivos. Estos resultados destacan que pese a los avances en el tratamiento y el envejecimiento de la población de personas seropositivas, los estigmas sociales arraigados continúan poniendo en peligro el bienestar de los hombres de color que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH).

Acknowledgements

Organizations that provided funding for this study include the Michigan Center for the Demography of Aging, the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, and the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School. Rahwa Haile is currently supported by Award Number T32 MH019139 (PI: Theodorus Sandfort, Ph.D.) from the National Institute of Mental Health. We are also particularly grateful to the directors and staff at CHEST, SAGE, and ACRIA, and to Danya Keene for reviewing earlier versions of the manuscript. And, most importantly, we are grateful for the generous and courageous participation of the men in this study.

Notes

1. All italics reflect participant emphasis.

2. T-cells refer to CD4 cells, which are a type of White blood cell. Among people living with HIV the number of T-cells is often used as a measure of immune functioning.

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