Nicolette Severson

‘At times, I feel like I'm sinning’: the paradoxical role of non-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming religion in the lives of behaviourally-bisexual Latino men

In this paper, we examine non-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming religiosity among behaviourally-bisexual Latino men as it relates to sexual attitudes, experiences and behaviours. We asked how does religiosity correspond to masculine identities, sex roles and condom efficacy? And how might religiosity influence contexts of health risks? Data were analysed from a mixed-methods study of 142 behaviourally-bisexual Latino men, aged 18–60 years. Major findings include positive correlations between religiosity and (1) masculine ideologies, (2) internalised homonegativity, (3) less comfort with receptive sex, (4) low condom efficacy and (5) higher levels of loneliness and incidents of discriminatory events. Results are paired with illustrative, descriptive case studies from life history interviews. It is suggested that non-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming religiosity plays a paradoxical role in the lives of behaviourally-bisexual Latino men – on one hand, increasing internalised homonegativity and attendant health risks and, on the other, providing social support to members of a marginalised population.

Occupations, social vulnerability and HIV/STI risk: The case of bisexual Latino men in the New York City metropolitan area

This article examines the relationship between the work environment, type of occupation and sexual risk-taking among behaviourally bisexual Latino men, in which data were analysed from a mixed-methods study of 148 behaviourally bisexual Latino men, aged 18–60. The authors draw on both sex market theory and the literature on structural violence and labour to situate sexual risk-taking within broader dimensions of social inequalities and organisation. Manual labour, hospitality and retail/professional fields are examined and compared. Major findings include (1) a high incidence of unprotected anal intercourse among manual labourers (2) a high incidence of unprotected vaginal intercourse with alcohol use and concurrent sex with females among hospitality workers (3) less sexual risk behaviour, sexual risk behaviour with alcohol and fewer concurrent sex partners among those in the retail/professional fields. Findings are discussed in relation to global economic forces, masculinity and social and symbolic capital.

Differential impact of types of social support in the mental health of formerly incarcerated Latino men.

The role of social support in the mental health of formerly incarcerated Latino men (FILM) is an issue overlooked in public health prevention efforts. The objectives of this analysis were to (a) describe the levels of social support perceived and received by FILM; (b) identify the associations, if any, between levels of social support and mental health indicators such as depression and anxiety; and (c) explore the impact of familism and hypermasculinity on the receptivity of social support and the potential role of these factors in mediating associations between social support and mental health indicators. To accomplish the objectives, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with FILM (n = 259), ages 18 to 59, in New York City, and one nominated member of their social network (n = 130 dyads). In this analysis, we examined four dimensions of social support (instrumental, informational, appraisal, and emotional) from two perspectives: provided (as reported by members of the social networks) and perceived (as reported by FILM). The major outcome variables for this analysis were the presence/absence of major anxiety and depressive symptoms. Our logistic regression analyses suggest that perceived emotional support was inversely associated with both anxiety and depression. Our findings suggest that familism mediated the association between perceived emotional support and anxiety/depression. Therefore, we must consider designing network enhancement interventions that focus on both FILM and their social support systems.

Generational changes in the meanings of sex, sexual identity and stigma among Latino young and adult men

In this paper we examine the sexual identities of Latino men who have sex with men and women, in which an analysis was made of 150 sexual histories of Latino men aged 18–60. This study asks how the bisexual identity and experience of stigma is different for Latino men along the generational spectrum and how do these differences relate to kinship support and gender ideology? In the process of analysis, two main clusters of characteristics were identified to reflect this population: young men aged 18–25, whose open bisexual identity correlated positively with kinship/peer support and flexible gender and sexual roles, and men aged 26–60, who refused or were reluctant to identify as bisexual despite the fact that they were sexually active with both men and women. This group as a whole had less kinship and peer support, were more likely to identify with traditional gender roles and were less sexually versatile. Finally, a third group reflected Latino men across the generational divide who were less concerned with same-sex stigma, but who nevertheless felt the bisexual label to be confining, illegitimate or otherwise negative.

“I Kick It to Both, but not in the Street”: Behaviorally Bisexual Latino Men, Gender, and the Sexual Geography of New York City Metropolitan Area

This article examines how behaviorally bisexual Latino men negotiate, modify, and perform their gender within distinct social spheres. An analysis was made of 148 sexual histories of Latino men aged eighteen to sixty, from a cross-sectional, multiyear study in New York City. A familial sphere of gender norm negotiation was sharply contrasted with conformity to elements of dominant or hegemonic forms of masculinity performed on streets of neighborhoods of residence. Rather than a strict dichotomy, our participants revealed a spectrum of masculine representations that worked to manage the risk of nonheterosexual stigma. Participants adopted variable configurations of masculinity to reconcile the plurality of their sexual practices, distinct social spaces, and socially sanctioned gender norms.