Sexuality Disclosure Among Black South African MSM and Responses by Family

Abstract

Although South Africa protects sexual orientation in its Constitution, homosexuality is socioculturally contested and unaccepted. This lack of acceptance may impact the coming-out process of men who have sex with men (MSM). This study explored diverse factors that influenced whether Black South African MSM disclosed their sexual practices and identities to their families, how their families responded, and how family responses affected them. In-depth interviews were conducted with 81 Black MSM from four Tshwane townships about their sexual and gender identities, sexual practices, social networks, and familial relationships. Interview transcripts were analyzed with ATLAS.ti using a priori codes and inductive coding. Most participants disclosed their sexual identities to at least one person in their families or assumed their families knew despite no explicit disclosure about their sexual identity; a significant minority had not disclosed. Families of those who disclosed were either supportive, in denial, confused, or unsupportive in their responses. Whether or not family was supportive, silence around the participants’ same-sex sexualities was prevalent within families. Family responses affected how participants perceived their sexuality and their confidence. Further studies are required to better understand the underlying processes of coming out for Black South African MSM and how these processes impact health outcomes and social well-being.

Funding and Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH083557; Principal Investigator: Theo Sandfort, PhD). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Institutes of Health. The HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies is supported by a center grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (P30 MH43520; Principal Investigator: Robert Remien, PhD). This work was also supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH19105-28; Principal Investigator: Susan Kegeles, PhD, to support Akua O. Gyamerah). We wish to thank OUT Well-Being, the communities that partnered with us in conducting this research, and the study participants for their contributions. We also thank study staff at all participating institutions for their work and dedication.

Notes

¹ Initiation schools in South Africa are shaped by tradition and customs where young men are prepared for and initiated into manhood through numerous rituals, including circumcision. It is a rite of passage that is practiced primarily by the Xhosa people, although other groups practice it as well. Although initiation schools are regulated by the government, there are some schools that are not legally certified.