Correlates of Homonegativity Towards Men Who Have Sex With Men Among Black Individuals in the United States

ABSTRACT

This study aims to identify the factors that are associated with homonegativity toward men who have sex with men (MSM) within Black communities since the expansion of LGBTQ rights. A survey was completed in 2016 by a nationally representative sample of 868 Black respondents, 18–50 years old, via e-mail. Demographics, perception of same-gender sexual behaviors, religiosity, experienced racism, and contact with the carceral system (CS) were assessed. 61.6% of respondents endorsed at least one homonegative belief. Being male, residing in the South, attending religious services, receiving homonegative faith messaging, and having contact with the CS were significantly associated with homonegativity toward MSM while experiencing racism, older age, and residing in a non-metropolitan area were not. Education efforts on LGBTQ identities in Black communities should engage faith communities, extend to metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of the South, and include younger and older adults. Programs that decrease the arrest of Black individuals may also help reduce homonegativity toward MSM.

KEYWORDS:

• Black
• homonegativity
• homophobia
• men who have sex with men (MSM)
• religiosity
• carceral system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

This manuscript presents a secondary analysis of the original study (2016 National Survey on HIV in the Black Community). This secondary analysis has not been previously presented or published. The data from the original data collection will not be publicly accessible. Several secondary analyses have been performed and published using the original study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health under Grant [K23 MH107316 (BOO)]; the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), an NIH funded program under Grant [P30 AI060354 (BOO)]; Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services under Grant [P30 MH058107 (LMB)]; the National Institute of General Medical (NIGMS) Interdisciplinary Training Grant for Biostatisticians under Grand [T32 GM74905 (TFM)].