African American Gay Youth and Their Families: Redefining Masculinity, Coping with Racism and Homophobia

Abstract

The findings of this small, exploratory qualitative study of young African American gay men and their parents, combined with the extant theoretical literature, describes the unique challenges facing black gay male youths and their families. Parents and youths alike worry that gay men cannot meet the rigid expectations of exaggerated masculinity maintained by their families and communities, and they also struggle to cope with the intersecting oppressions that challenge black gay youths. These unique difficulties warrant the development of targeted interventions that can assist such families with the burdens of homophobia and racism. It is vital that clinicians engage fathers as they assist young black gay men and their families to resolve the clash between homosexuality and the male gender role expectations in their communities. In addition, clinicians are advised to help these families recognize, harness, and build upon their existing coping skills, and it is also recommended that they facilitate family discussions that lead to expanded and more flexible views of masculinity.

KEYWORDS:

• African American gay male youth
• racism
• homophobia
• masculinity
• intersectionality
• family relationships

Notes

The terms African American and black are used interchangeably throughout this article (see also Boyd-Franklin, 2006).