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Category emergence has been a central question in organization theory. Yet, we still do not understand what drives category persistence and updating during emergence as new information arises. We investigate this question through a rich set of oral histories and archival materials on the emergence of the category AIDS from 1978 to 1985. We show that the initial proto-category's features and causal theories cohered with its stigmatized moral meanings. Over time, anomalies challenging these features and theories spurred a minority of medical professionals to update the category's causal theory. However, a silent majority resisted updating the category because the new causal theory conflicted with the proto-category's moral meanings, challenging the clear moral boundary dividing what was perceived as worthy from what was perceived as unworthy. As a result, the majority silenced the vocal minority's updated understandings and withheld resources from the category. This article contributes to the literature on categorization by showing that conflicts between category dimensions can stifle updating, amplify imprinting, and prolong category persistence. Particularly, the dichotomous nature of the moral dimension might hinder the updating of other dimensions, such as the causal one, despite accumulated evidence suggesting the need for updates. We show that calls for category updating backed solely by rational arguments may fail to persuade the silent majority and may falter until the moral boundary is punctured and the category is morally reappraised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoactive substance use (PSU) among gay men (GM) has been examined through a biomedical-epidemiological lens. While national studies offer a general overview from a biopsychosocial viewpoint, they fail to explore the cultural influences on PSU. The objective was to analyze the cultural aspects of PSU among GM in Mexico by exploring the social construction of identity as men with a non-normative sexual orientation who experience a distinct form of masculinity while engaging in PSU during sexual activities. Utilizing a symbolic approach in anthropology, specifically in identity and gender studies, three focus groups comprising 19 middle-class gay men aged 22 to 42 were conducted in May 2022 via Zoom Meetings. The information was coded and analyzed using targeted content analysis. Identity, masculinity, and homoeroticism play a crucial role in shaping PSU practices among GM in Mexico, with the interplay of these three cultural dimensions manifesting in the ritualistic practice of sexualized drug use (chemsex), particularly concerning crystal meth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homonegativity refers to prejudice towards same sex relationships. We examined the psychometric properties of the 12-item Modern Homonegativity scale (internal consistency reliability, construct validity), exploratory factor analysis, and factors associated with homonegativity. The study used survey data from 198 Asian Americans in 2019 (mean age = 34, SD = 14). The scale demonstrated good reliability (ordinal alpha = 0.93) and satisfactory model fits for a 4-factor construct (RMSEA = 0.19, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.9, SRMR = 0.07). The construct validity showed that greater homonegativity associates with lower levels of acculturation, social norms about HIV testing, and fewer years in immigration. Overall, the Modern Homonegativity scale was found to be a reliable and valid measure to assess prejudice towards Asian American gay men. Future efforts to validate the scale among Asian Americans should consider investigating these properties among a more diverse sample with regards to geographies and sub-cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While considerable studies have revealed that homosexual individuals are negatively and stereotypically portrayed, little is still known about how the negative portrayals are challenged and delegitimated in the Chinese media. To address this gap, the article investigates how lesbian and gay (LG) people are represented in Chinese newspapers by employing a positive discourse analysis approach. Data for this study are gathered from China Daily and Global Times. Drawing on van Leeuwen’s social actors model, this article reveals how both newspapers actually construct positive discourses to legitimate the status of LG individuals. The significant positive discourses include (a) resisting the stigmatization of LG people as unhealthy, (b) endorsing external support for LG rights, (c) legitimating LG-themed social activities, and (d) recognizing LG people’s value to Chinese society. Given that same-sex marriage is still oppressive and illegal in China, potential factors that underlie the positive media coverage of LG individuals are finally discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have examined the stereotypes attributed to gay men or lesbian women. However, there are less studies which explore the behaviours considered stereotypical, or counterstereotypical, of gay men and lesbian women, particularly when these individuals might not conform with stereotypes. In this project, we tested the behaviours attributed to straight men, gay men, straight women, and lesbian women across two small studies emphasising a societal point of view in Portugal. Study 1 supports the implicit inversion theory suggesting gay men were correlated with straight women, and lesbian women were correlated with straight men. Study 2 extended the findings by manipulating the perceived stereotypicality or counterstereotypicality of individuals by attaching masculine or feminine occupations to each group from Study 1. As predicted, individuals with counterstereotypical occupations were perceived as less stereotypical of their original group while gay men and lesbian women with stereotypical occupations were perceived as more stereotypical of the opposite gender and sexual orientation. Importantly, this project highlights how members of certain groups are perceived as more, or less, typical of their group based on the expectations about stereotypical occupations for that group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on the Malayalam film Ka Bodyscapes (2016), this article attempts to historically trace and critically engage with the representations of gay sexuality in Malayalam cinema from the South Indian state of Kerala. It interrogates how Ka Bodyscapes brought to the forefront hitherto unexplored visual dynamics of the gay male body and homoeroticism on screen while troubling the heterosexual dynamics of the Malayalam film industry. By situating this film within the history of representation of male homosexuality in Malayalam cinema and the changing regimes of queer politics and feminist interventions in Kerala in the last decade, the article argues how the film's radical visual representation of gay sexuality at the intersection of caste and religion problematizes the heterosexual family/state, thereby challenging the patriarchal masculinity that marginalizes women and sexual minorities in Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fear of COVID-19 can exacerbate social stigma and prejudice against individuals living with HIV (PLWH). This research delved into the behaviors of MSM (men who have sex with men) who practice physical-distancing from PLWH. Data from 878 respondents were collected through a web survey conducted on Korea's largest LGBT portal site over one month in July 2022. The study examined various independent variables encompassing socioeconomic characteristics, health status, media consumption habits, and homosexual attributes of MSM. The dependent variable assessed was the extent of physical-distancing perceived by MSMs without HIV toward PLWH. The statistical analysis employed nested regression models. In Model I, it was observed that physical-distancing from PLWH decreased as the age and education level of the respondent increased. In Model II, a decrease in physical-distancing was noted among respondents with underlying health conditions. Model III indicated that increased use of traditional media corresponded to greater physical-distancing from PLWH. Lastly, Model IV revealed a reduction in physical-distancing when the respondent was themselves a person living with HIV. This study underscores the existence of physical-distancing toward PLWH within the gay community. Consequently, fostering solidarity and providing support becomes imperative to prevent the isolation of PLWH within this community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darna is a female superhero from the Philippines who first appeared in Pilipino Komiks on May 13, 1950. Her image in Filipino society has evolved from being a role model for young children to an object of desire for cisgender men to an icon of female empowerment to an aspirational figure for the Filipino bakla (gay men). However, through all these roles, she has never resonated with nor connected to Filipino queer women – that is until the Darna 2022 television series. This essay looks at how Filipino female queer fans, known as Darlentina, have queerly read the Darna 2022 TV series and produced queer fan works such as queer fanfiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the theory of normative social behavior, this research investigated the moderating role of three forms of sexual stigma – enacted, felt, and internalized – in the relationship between perceived descriptive norms and intentions of gay and bisexual men to engage in three preventive behaviors during the 2022 mpox outbreak in the U.S. Through an online survey conducted among 439 gay and bisexual men in September 2022, we observed that participants’ perceived descriptive norms regarding mpox preventive behaviors among gay and bisexual male friends and among gay and bisexual men in general were both positively related to their intentions to adopt the recommended mpox preventive behaviors. However, these norm-intention associations were moderated by sexual stigma. Specifically, the positive associations between friend descriptive norms and intentions were significant only when participants held low internalized sexual stigma. Except for the behavior of practicing hand hygiene, the positive associations between general descriptive norms and intentions were significant only when participants held low felt sexual stigma. Enacted sexual stigma did not interact with either perceived descriptive norms among friends or those among gay or bisexual men in general. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed in the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the biological determinants of male homosexual preference has long realized that the older brother effect (FBOE, i.e., a higher fraternal birth rank of homosexuals) and the antagonist effect (AE, i.e., more fertile women have a higher chance of having a homosexual son) can both generate family data where homosexual men have more siblings and more older siblings than heterosexual men. Various statistical approaches were proposed in the recent literature to evaluate whether the action of FBOE or AE could be discriminated from empirical data, by controlling for the other effect. Here, we used simulated data to formally compare all the approaches that we could find in the relevant literature for their ability to reject the null hypothesis in the presence of a specified alternative hypothesis (tests based on regression, Bayesian modeling, or contingency tables). When testing for the FBOE, the relative performance of the different tests was different depending on the specific function generating the older brother effect. Even if no tests were found to always perform better than the others, some tests performed systematically poorly, and some tests displayed a systematic high rate of type-I error. For testing the AE, the relative performance of the tests was generally not changed across all parameter values assayed, providing a clear ranking of the various proposed approaches. Pros and cons for each candidate test are discussed, taking into consideration power and the rate of type-I error but also practicability, the possibility to control for confounding variables, and to consider alternative hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male sexual functioning is a prerequisite for conception and consequently for reproduction and is thus a crucial mechanism from an evolutionary and social perspective. Previous studies reported better sexual functioning in coupled compared to single individuals. However, it is not clear whether sexual functioning increases or decreases with a short-term casual sexual strategy, which is another possibility, along with a long-term strategy. Furthermore, sexual orientation may represent yet another mating strategy that may influence sexual functioning. Here, we aimed to test the possible associations between male sexual functioning and sexual strategies, as measured through sociosexuality, relationship status, and sexual orientation. We hypothesize that due to its relationship with the evolved motivation of mate acquisition and mate retention, both stable relationships and sociosexuality would be positively associated with male sexual functioning. We did not expect significant differences in sexual functioning among men with different sexual orientations. We sampled 427 healthy men of different sexual orientations (203 heterosexuals, 77 bisexuals, and 147 gay men) who completed the Male Sexual Function Index (MSFI) and its subscales of desire, arousal, erection, orgasm, and satisfaction; the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory-Revised; and sociodemographic questions. A multivariate general linear model showed that, compared to single individuals, partnered individuals reported greater MSFI-arousal, MSFI-erection, MSFI-orgasm, and MSFI-satisfaction. Sociosexuality and sexual orientation only weakly predicted MSFI domains. Male sexual functioning thus seems to be moderately associated with a long-term mating strategy and can thus serve for relationship maintenance rather than for acquiring new partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wellbeing of gay men in China is shaped by a combination of cultural, social, and political factors, yet research on this topic remains fragmented despite growing global interest in LGBTQ+ health. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research trends on wellbeing of gays (MSM) in China, using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for a systematic search strategy and VOSviewer for bibliometric mapping. Data from Scopus were analyzed to examine publication output, top journals, and authors, along with a co-occurrence analysis of keywords and co-authorship networks across countries and authors. Results show a steady rise in publications over the past decade, particularly after 2015, revealing strong domestic collaboration and emerging international partnerships. The study identifies key contributing journals and themes, while revealing that most research remains narrowly focused on HIV/AIDS, leaving gaps in understanding gay wellbeing from broader societal and cultural perspectives. Surprisingly, very few studies specifically examine or measure overall wellbeing, whether using quantitative or qualitative approaches, and there is limited exploration of how cultural factors influence the experiences of gay men in China. These findings underscore the need for more holistic research approaches that move beyond public health and HIV prevention to address the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging gay and bisexual men may have negative self-image s due to body image dissatisfaction and internalized ageism, resulting in psychological distress. Gay and bisexual men with HIV may be at greater risk for distress because of research linking HIV to accelerated aging. We examined associations between self-image and psychological distress, and potential mediating effects (resilience, fitness engagement), and whether these relationships were moderated by HIV serostatus. We tested our hypotheses with structural equation modeling using data from gay and bisexual men with HIV (n = 525, M age = 57.6) and without HIV (n = 501, M age = 62.2). We observed significant positive associations between self-image and distress and significant mediation effects (resilience, fitness engagement) that were moderated by HIV serostatus (resilience was only significant for men with HIV). We conclude that resilience interventions may be beneficial in alleviating distress from negative self-image among aging gay and bisexual men with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minorities reclaim derogatory labels to change their meaning. However, previous research on reclamation has focused on the perception of self-labeling with derogatory labels in an ecologically invalid context, using self-reports that may be influenced by norms. We examined how recordings containing derogatory terms against gay people are perceived, using both a self-report and an unobtrusive heartbeat measure. In the experiment (n = 103), we showed that individuals perceived statements with derogatory labels as less offensive when participants of the Gay Pride (a pro-LGBT+ march) used them and as more offensive when they were used by participants of the March for Life and Family (a conservative march). This effect was stronger among gay men. Nonetheless, the sexual identity and the content of speech played no role in the case of the heartbeat. The paper discusses the discrepancy between declarative and nondeclarative measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, a global outbreak of mpox (formerly 'monkeypox') emerged in non-endemic countries, including Australia, predominantly affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Public health advice on transmission and isolation emerged rapidly from different sources, sometimes conflicting and producing uncertainty. Using the concept of 'counterpublic health', which acknowledges the incorporation of official science and experiences of affected communities into embodied practice, this paper investigates how people affected by mpox in Australia managed risk of transmission and navigated self-isolation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 people: 13 people diagnosed with mpox and three close contacts. All participants were cisgender gay and bisexual men living in Australia. Participants thought critically about public health advice, often finding it restrictive and unresponsive to the needs of people with mpox. Participants' decisions about reducing mpox risk and isolating often drew on experiences with other infections (i.e. HIV; COVID-19) and were made collaboratively with the people closest to them (e.g. partners, friends, family) to sustain relationships. Future public health responses to infectious disease outbreaks would benefit from identifying more opportunities to formalise and embed mechanisms to obtain feedback from affected communities so as to inform responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Apart from a few studies with limited sample sizes, we have little data on attitudes toward lesbian and gay (LG) people in Greece. Methods: This study examines this topic in 949 heterosexual Greek participants. Based on previous research in cultural contexts other than Greece, we hypothesized that four demographics (gender, age, education, area of residence) and religious and political orientation predict a substantial amount of variance in homophobia (i.e., anti-LG attitudes). Results: We verified all observed variables except area of residence as significant predictors. Regarding the "intergroup contact hypothesis," we distinguished the direct effects of the predictor variables from indirect effects mediated by contact with lesbians and gay men. All variables except area of residence showed a direct effect and, except for education, also an indirect effect on homophobia. The strongest effects were found for religious and political orientation, followed by gender. Highly religious, right-wing oriented, and male participants reported the highest levels of homophobia, partially mediated by their low level of contact with LG people. Discussion/Conclusion: The results confirm and further explain the detrimental role the Greek Orthodox Church, right-wing political parties, and traditional gender roles play in the acceptance of sexual minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study explored how coping moderates the association between discrimination and health outcomes in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual midlife and older adults. Methods: This study analyzed longitudinal data from 163 LGB and 326 propensity-matched heterosexual midlife and older adults over approximately 20 years, using the Midlife in the United States study. Results: Discrimination was associated with slower chronic condition accumulation over time for LGB individuals. Problem-focused and avoidance coping moderated discrimination's impact on mental health in LGB participants over time, and in heterosexual participants, they moderated the association between discrimination and chronic conditions. Discussion: The results suggest a potential "steeling" effect in LGB midlife and older adults facing higher discrimination levels. Furthermore, the findings suggest that effective coping strategies for mitigating the adverse impacts of discrimination on physical and mental health may vary by sexual orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the experiences of the first ‘out’ gay male British professional footballer for three decades: Thomas Beattie. Following an in-depth interview with Beattie, this research documents three main findings: (1) while the near-total institution of professional football promotes closer friendships with teammates than in previous research, this did not extend to discussions of homosexuality; (2) Beattie’s coming out experience was both overwhelmingly positive and also transformative for his improved mental health; and (3) that the ‘ruthless cultures’ of English football, as well as the inaction of football’s governing bodies, were preventative barriers for more gay male professional footballers coming out of the closet. Thus, while Beattie’s assertions are evidence that men’s professional football has become more acceptant of homosexuality, more action is still required to support gay male professional players coming out of the closet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A breadwinner is the one obligated to support the family's needs. It requires sacrifice and work-life balance to meet ends. Various studies have shown that many are struggling to keep up with being the sole provider in the household, with the fact that the Philippines has one of the highest income tax rates in the world, what more for those homosexual males who are breadwinners of their family with challenges in revealing their identity? A study by McPhail (2014) expressed that living out your sexual orientation is a double-edged sword for homosexual male workers in terms of their careers. This descriptive phenomenological study focused on the lived experience of homosexual male breadwinners to determine the role their obligation plays in their identity along with its relationship with work-life balance. Following Paul Collaizi's descriptive phenomenological method, the researchers created a structured interview consisting of 10 questions. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to collect data from a total of 15 participants interviewed through Google Meet. The findings show that being a homosexual breadwinner still entails the usual hardships and stress the normal breadwinner goes under. On a positive point, only a few participants experienced discrimination in their careers. It was found that the lived experience of homosexual male breadwinners indeed has an established relationship between identity formation and work-life balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the critical factors in the psychotherapeutic care of gay Black men. A qualitative and exploratory research was conducted with four psychotherapists from Rondônia, utilizing the Phenomenological Method of Investigation in Psychology for the analysis of the interviews. Four main factors were identified: Intersectional Awareness of Oppression (IAO), Challenges of Intersectional Practice (CIP), Dynamic Intersectional Perspective (DIP), and Psychotherapeutic Identity Dissonance (PID). It concludes that understanding and integrating these critical factors can prevent errors and enhance the effectiveness of care. These factors can contribute to the training of psychotherapists, through a clear adoption of intersectionality with multi-identity marginalized clientele. It is suggested that future studies should evaluate the application of these factors in other intersectional settings and critically investigate care for diverse populations subjected to various forms of oppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay pays homage to the late Danish sociologist Henning Bech's groundbreaking work on sexuality, urban life, phenomenology, and modernity. Bech's contributions are praised for their critical yet affirmative perspective, offering insights into the complexities of contemporary society, particularly regarding gender, sexuality, and urban life. Central to Bech's thesis is the idea that the city itself is a dynamic space where sexuality is not only displayed but also actively generated, influencing people's experiences and interactions. He challenges traditional notions of sexuality by arguing that it is not merely an inherent trait but a sociocultural construct deeply intertwined with urban life. By examining the aesthetic and erotic potential of urban spaces, he sheds light on the role of the city in shaping people's tunings and experiences of pleasure. Bech conceptualizes male homosexuality as a form of existence rather than a fixed identity and explores the experiences of the male homosexuals while emphasizing broader shifts in societal attitudes towards sexuality and intimacy. Bech's sociology provides a valuable framework for appreciating the complexities of late modern social life. By foregrounding the aesthetic dimensions of the urban social world and adopting a critical yet affirmative stance, he offers a nuanced perspective that enriches our understanding of contemporary societies. Ultimately, Bech's legacy lies in his ability to provoke thought and challenge conventional wisdom, and thereby stimulating new innovative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the discursive production of "there are more 0s (bottoms) than 1s (tops)" in a mediated environment, and its implications on gay communities. It explores why many Chinese gay men perceive it as a "sexual truth." Based on ethnographic research from 2017 to 2021, I argue that this popular discourse is produced by the higher threshold to qualify as a 1 than a 0. The unequal threshold prevents many men from self-identifying, and, more importantly, being recognized as a 1. In addition, the wide circulation of this discourse has intensified effeminophobia, and led to unequal sexual opportunities for gay men based on their embodied masculinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceptance of dating violence (ADV) is a cognitive risk factor for violence perpetration and a common target of prevention programs. However, frequently used items assessing ADV are characterized by heteronormative item wording, and limited research has evaluated the degree to which ADV items function equivalently for both heterosexual and sexual minority youth (SMY). The current study sought to determine if there are differences in the way heterosexual and SMY respond to ADV survey items. Secondary data from a total of 2,014 adolescents (M age = 16.78) were used to examine differences in ADV. Results of differential item functioning analysis indicated nonuniform differential item functioning for two of eight ADV items, with heterosexual youth being more likely to express strong levels of agreements with (a) female-perpetrated physical violence in response to male-perpetrated violence and (b) female-perpetrated violence against males broadly, relative to SMY. Although these differences were of negligible magnitude and only resulted in minimal differences in overall expected average scores, heterosexual youth were more likely to strongly accept female-perpetrated dating violence compared to SMY. Findings highlight differences in ADV item response patterns across heterosexual and sexual minority identifying youth and provide preliminary evidence for group differences in acceptance of female-perpetrated dating violence. Implications for prevention programming based on current findings include greater focus on measure adaptation and development as well as more consensus on the necessity of preventing female-perpetrated violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Approximately 10% of people with HIV in Australia had active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prior to availability of government-subsidized direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in 2016. This analysis evaluated progress toward HCV elimination among people with HIV in Australia between 2014 and 2023. Methods The CEASE cohort study enrolled adults with HIV with past or current HCV infection (anti-HCV antibody positive) from 14 primary and tertiary clinics. Biobehavioral, clinical, and virologic data were collected at enrollment (2014–2016), follow-up 1 (2017–2018), and follow-up 2 (2021–2023). HCV treatment uptake, outcome, and HCV RNA prevalence (current infection) were evaluated. Death and HCV reinfection incidence and risk were assessed. Results Of 402 participants, 341 (85%) had current HCV infection (RNA positive) at enrollment. Among the sample, 83% were gay and bisexual men, 13% had cirrhosis, and 80% had a history of injecting drug use (42%, past 6 months). DAA treatment was scaled up rapidly, with cumulative treatment uptake increasing from 12% in 2014 to 2015 to 92% in 2022 to 2023. HCV RNA prevalence declined from 85% (95% CI, 81%–88%) at enrollment (2014–2016) to 8% (95% CI, 6%–12%) at follow-up 1 (2017–2018) and 0.5% (95% CI, 0%–3%) at follow-up 2 (2020–2023). Sixteen reinfections occurred (incidence, 1.41 per 100 person-years; 95% CI,.81–2.29) as well as 30 deaths (incidence, 1.64 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.11–2.34). HCV reinfection incidence declined over time while mortality remained stable. Conclusions Universal access and rapid DAA uptake were associated with a dramatic reduction in HCV prevalence and reinfection incidence among people with HIV to levels consistent with microelimination. Registration: NCT02102451 (ClinicalTrials.gov). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voice-based categorisation of others' sexual orientations, known as auditory gaydar judgments, can represent stressful and stigmatising events for targets. This mixed-methods study examined sense-making about others' auditory gaydar judgements. Sixty-seven lesbian women and 77 gay men described negative episodes in which they thought that their sexual orientation was inferred from their voices. Those reporting such experiences also rated their emotional distress and their engagement with coping strategies. Those reporting no experiences explained why they might have had none. We analysed whether participants' judgements represented stigmatising experiences and how gender conformity perceptions shaped individuals' sense-making. Gay men reported experiencing auditory gaydar more often, rated such experiences as more emotionally distressing, and reported engaging more with coping strategies than lesbian women did. Gay men described both being stigmatised by others' gaydar judgements and their own attempts to sound straight. Gaydar experiences of gay men were occasioned by deviations from gender conformity. Lesbians' experiences were sometimes interpreted through emic subcultural gender concepts. In line with the minority stress model, auditory gaydar judgements should be considered as stressors contributing to individuals' wellbeing, at least for gay men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research to date has focused on the potential issues arising from chemsex and often seeks to uncover what is 'wrong' with those who are motivated to engage in chemsex. Critical chemsex studies reaches beyond this harm-orientated focus and instead adopts a social justice approach that recognises chemsex participants as legitimate sexual citizens. The present study – comprising eight interviews with gay men living in Ireland – is situated within this critical research praxis. Using a critical discursive psychology framework, our analysis demonstrates how participants draw on various interpretative repertoires to discursively negotiate chemsex identities in a bid to position themselves in a culturally intelligible manner. Participants deployed three key repertoires, centred around (i) harm, (ii) essentialism, and (iii) ethics. These repertoires are deployed in an interweaving manner to ultimately construct a dynamic, hierarchal continuum of chemsex participants – from flourishing, to flailing. Our analysis demonstrates how chemsex participants construct 'other' chemsex users as 'flailing' towards the bottom of the continuum by mobilising repertoires that draw upon prevailing moralistic notions of 'good' sexual citizenship. We argue that the mainstream construction of chemsex as inevitably harmful is restrictive and produces a deficit understanding of chemsex participants, and discuss the possibilities for discursively reimagining chemsex participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the improvements in the rights of LGBTIQ+ groups, gay men continue to confront prejudice and discrimination in various areas of life, whose effects harm their well-being. Turkey is one of the countries where prejudice and discrimination are high and pervasive. This study tests the possible mediating role of ingroup identification (i.e. satisfaction, solidarity, salience, importance, individual self-stereotyping, ingroup homogeneity), as proposed by the rejection-identification model (RIM), in the negative relationship between perceived discrimination and well-being in a sample of 496 Turkish gay men. Results indicated that identity salience mediated the links from perceived personal discrimination to negative affect and psychological well-being, but the mediating effects were contrary to predictions of the RIM. As for the direct effects, perceived personal discrimination predicted all four outcomes of well-being (i.e. psychological well-being, positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction), whereas perceived group discrimination only predicted negative affect. The results mark the context-dependent nature of the model and are discussed considering the literature regarding the RIM and minority stress theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intersectionality has facilitated an understanding of the complexities of the adversities and challenges faced by individuals with multiple disadvantaged identities, including gay and bisexual men living with HIV. This study used deficiency- and empowerment-based perspectives together with an intersectionality lens to examine the intersections between sexuality minority and HIV-related stigma and resilience, as well as their compound effects on Chinese gay and bisexual men living with HIV. We conducted in-depth interviews with 21 gay and bisexual men living with HIV in Shenzhen, identifying two overarching themes and six subthemes in the provided accounts via thematic analysis. The theme of 'Interplay between Minority Identities' comprised aggravating effects and alleviating effects at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community and structural levels. The theme of 'Compound Impact of Intersecting Identities' was contributed to by the subthemes 'the pressure to continue family lineage', 'persistent health concerns', 'financial concerns', and 'heightened psychological distress and resilience'. Integrating deficiency and empowerment perspectives, our findings highlight the importance of addressing intersectional stigma and identifying resilience resources to empower Chinese gay and bisexual men living with HIV to thrive amidst compounded adversities. Findings have implications for future intersectional research and intervention practice, especially in fostering resilience within the context of intersectional stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on Israeli single gay fathers' reproductive choices. Thematic analysis of 13 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Israeli single gay fathers yielded two themes related to their reproductive choice. The first theme pertains to their decision to become single fathers. Three dimensions were prominent in the participants' decision to pursue lone parenthood: the choice to fulfill parenthood as gay men; the choice to separate parenthood from couplehood; and the view of single parenthood as empowerment. The second theme pertained to the fathers' decision to use surrogacy, which was influenced by three key factors: the desire to parent a biological child, the desire for exclusive fatherhood, and the perceived advantages of surrogacy for single fathers. The findings indicate that the fathers narrated their reproductive experiences in terms of choice and autonomy, while negotiating with dominant concepts of parenthood as a two-parent, heteronormative and biogenetic phenomenon. These men referred to the challenge they posed to some of these concepts and the social barriers they encountered as factors that facilitated their coping skills in lone parenthood, thereby enhancing their agency. These findings highlight the contextual, multidimensional and relational nature of the reproductive choices of men from minority groups like single gay fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unhealthy alcohol use is a significant public health concern among ethnic minority immigrant gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in North America. The definition of unhealthy alcohol use is any use that increases the risk of health consequences or has already led to negative health consequences. Despite its association with various health problems, this issue remains understudied in this population. Therefore, we aim to synthesize key findings to provide the prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use and related factors among this population in North America. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in multiple scientific databases to identify studies on alcohol use among ethnic minority immigrant GBMSM. Using random-effect modeling strategies, we aggregate and weigh the individual estimates, providing a pooled prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use within this population. Our review included 20 articles with 2971 participants (i.e., 53% were Latino, 45% were Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 2% were African). The meta-analysis revealed that 64% (95% CI 0.50, 0.78) of the participants reported recent alcohol use, while 44% (95% CI 0.30, 0.59) engaged in unhealthy alcohol use. Co-occurring health issues identified in the studies are other substance use (32%; 95% CI 0.21, 0.45), positive HIV status (39%; 95% CI 0.14, 0.67), and mental health issues (39%; 95% CI 0.21, 0.58). We also identified several factors associated with unhealthy alcohol use, including risky sexual behaviors, experiences of discrimination based on race and sexual orientation, and experiences of abuse. However, meta-regression results revealed no statistically significant associations between alcohol use and co-occurring health problems. This is the first study to systematically review unhealthy alcohol use among ethnic minority immigrant GBMSM. Despite the high burden of alcohol use, there is a dearth of research among Asian and African GBMSM. Our findings underscore the need for more research in these groups and provide insights to inform targeted clinical prevention and early intervention strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of unhealthy alcohol use among ethnic minority immigrant GBMSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine in this paper the individual and social process of coming out as gay. Through a sociocultural and developmental psychology theoretical lens, we unfold the process as a liminal experience that starts within the individual and is continuously negotiated in between the person, the social others, and the broader society. Through interviews and autoethnography, we look at this process through the experiences of three young men coming out in Denmark. The findings highlight how coming out is a complex process that starts before one comes out to others and continues to develop as a meaning-making process as the person starts coming out to others, where others' responses are internalized and continue to form this person's identification within society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that the 1990s was a distinctive period in the British queer experience. A perceived rise in violent homophobic attacks marks the decade out, as does the activist culture which emerged to counter it. The article argues that ideas of citizenship became an important vehicle for queer activists, especially when challenging legal inequalities such as the age of sexual consent for gay men. Queer citizenship campaigns highlighted the state of legislated inequality for queer Britons which was seen to be worsening during the 1990s. This article examines two main examples of such campaigns, grassroots direct-action movements and legal test cases, arguing that queer citizenship was an increasingly useful concept for queer activists and campaigners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who are living with HIV are at an increased risk of experiencing poor mental health due to their exposures to intersectional stigma and discrimination, but often do not seek traditional mental health care. We qualitatively explored conceptualizations of mental health through interviews with 40 participants and analyzed our data using a phenomenology-informed approach. Participants conceptualized mental health as having inward-facing (cultivation of a healthy relationship with oneself, maintaining a peaceful state of mind, lack of depressed mood) and outward-facing components (goal-oriented behavior, resilient coping mechanisms). Some participants espoused an internal locus of control over one's mental state, while others focused on structural or environmental factors as key drivers of mental health. Our findings suggest that provider trainings and service integration, consistent with a more holistic conception of mental health, could help providers support well-being among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The school, like many other social institutions, is not immune from the far reaches of heteronormativity. To further understand and challenge such an oppressive regime, our study paid closer attention to how selected gay men wield their agency in the context of higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines. Our analysis is anchored on the assumptions of the theory of the Chordal Triad of Agency (CTA). This theory sees agency as constructed temporally (past, present, and future) through social engagements or relational contexts of action. Data were drawn from in-depth interviews with 30 self-identified gay faculty. This empirical study reveals that the critical forms of social engagement in exercising gay agency are academic, interpersonal, and public in nature. Informed by the dimensions of the CTA, the specific ways of wielding gay agency are distancing strategically and displaying masculinity (iterative dimension); dissenting intellectually (practical-evaluative dimension); and segueing lessons, transforming time stereotypes, and queering tasks (projective dimension). This article not only reveals the power of dissent, as evident in the multiple and creative ways gay agencies are wielded, but also examines the conducive role of academic freedom offered by HEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence that people with multiple stigmatized identities sometimes experience psychological invisibility—perceivers show difficulty remembering information about these targets (e.g., their faces, spoken statements). In three experiments (total N = 397; within-subject design), we examined how North African gay men's invisibility is impacted by the perceived incongruence between their minority identities. Across all studies, participants made more memory errors for North African gay men's statements when they personally believed that being both gay and North African is highly incongruent. In addition, evidence for the salience of intersectional categories as an underlying psychological mechanism was found (Study 3). The present work adds to the literature by showing that invisibility depends on the characteristics of the targets but also on perceivers' beliefs about targets' identity incongruence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cross-sectional survey data from 226 heterosexual and 201 gay men in the UK and Germany, analysed using moderation analyses, showed a positive relationship between identity resilience – self-efficacy and engaging in condomless sex and drug use in sexualised settings in gay men only. It is proposed that higher self-efficacy may lead to increased feelings of invincibility in gay men, which in turn is associated with sexual risk-taking. Understanding the relationship between psychological constructs, such as self-efficacy, and sexual risk-taking behaviours is key. This study examines associations between identity resilience – self-efficacy and frequency of both condomless sexual encounters and drug use in sexualised settings in a sample of heterosexual and gay men. Higher identity resilience – self-efficacy was found to be associated with greater sexual risk-taking behaviours in gay men only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the personality traits and social circumstances of two gay male literary characters in the context of US small towns of early 20th century. These are Paul and Wing, protagonists of Willa Cather's short story "Paul's Case" (1905) and Sherwood Anderson's "Hands" (1916), respectively. Their unhappiness stems from the homophobic beliefs and behaviors that their respective communities hold and exert. In the case of Paul, he learns to survive by hating others back, thus viciously increasing the contempt that others feel for him. His perceived arrogance precludes him from making meaningful connections with other individuals, and, thus, he tends to live immersed in his imagination to escape a reality where he does not seem to stand a chance. In contrast, Wing holds deep feelings of tenderness for other people, but he lives in constant fear of himself, ashamed of his identity and desires, trying to stay hidden from civilization despite his genuine longing for company. I contend that both writers present the harrowing living conditions that their homosexual characters must endure, and how the absence of hope and social understanding influence the development of their personalities and self-esteem to the point of misery, isolation, and self-destruction. I discuss how both short stories demonstrate the increasing Modernist sensitivity toward what was perceived as 'outside the norm' in the early decades of the 20th century, even though homosexuality remained a taboo subject that, for the most part, could only be suggested through symbols rather than explicitly named. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PrEP stigma measurement remains a challenge to the validity of studies and interventions addressing HIV prevention. It may lead to inaccurate assessment of the relationship between PrEP stigma and health outcomes such as PrEP persistence and care retention in groups experiencing HIV-related inequities. The present research explored the psychometric properties of a novel IV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) stigma scale in a cohort of racially diverse men who have sex with men (MSM). Using item response theory, analyses explored presence of differential item functioning (DIF) among Black and White respondents. Participants completed baseline surveys measuring psychosocial factors, sociodemographic factors, and PrEP stigma items. The primary analysis used a machine learning approach to assess (a) the presence of DIF; and (b) compare latent stigma between Black and White respondents, after correcting for any DIF. The model identified four out of 13 scale items as having a high probability of DIF for Black respondents, which is relatively good given that the original PrEP stigma scale was neither designed nor tested for validation comparing Black and White respondents. The DIF-adjusted latent PrEP stigma measure reveals statistically and substantially significantly higher levels of stigma for Black compared to White respondents (Diff.: 1.05 +/- 0.19). While most items performed well, findings demonstrate the importance of assessing measurement error in populations where stigma is rampant and being studied or intervened upon (and in this case, where multilevel and intersectional stigma may be present). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to explore the construction of gender norms in gambling through qualitative research and, specifically in relation to the behavior, spatial arrangements, and relationships with objects among gay men. Based on data collected in the Kinki region of Japan from 2021 to 2023, this paper examines gambling from the perspective of gay individuals who hold an anti-gambling stance. The paper considers gambling as a performative act that constructs masculinity and uses actor-network theory to investigate how actors in the context of mahjong parlors construct masculinity. Through this approach, the paper examines this as a dynamic and constructive process in gambling. It meticulously describes the diverse ways in which research participants perceive the relationship between gambling and masculinity, shedding light on the private spaces that are often marginalized from the public norms of gambling. Unlike existing psychological and psychopathological studies on gambling, this paper focuses on the actual practice of gambling through long-term participant observation from an anthropological perspective, fostering a more dynamic and constructive discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the sexual objectification of gay male characters in trailers of a popular Spanish drama series, Elite, produced by Netflix and distributed via YouTube. Using representation theory as the theoretical framework, this research investigates whether the sexualization of same-sex characters in Elite trailers has been a successful marketing strategy promoting the Spanish drama. Applying semiotic analysis as the methodological framework, this research investigates how same-sex intimacy is exploited to seek higher audience engagement with the trailers and the show. A comprehensive set of semiotic analytical tools and decoding signs and symbols, along with deconstructing connotative and denotative meanings, deconstruction of shots, and sign analysis, were applied to decode the visual data that substantiate the conclusions of this research. The findings derived from the semiotic analysis testify that gay characters are sexualized with a display of nudity and eroticism throughout the trailers, leading to higher viewership engagement and greater interest in the show. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banter, a form of social communication, is used to facilitate social bonding in friendships and romantic relationships. However, associations between homosocial banter and "lad culture" and potential links to sexual violence and lower wellbeing have highlighted a problematic side to such interactions, especially among males during emerging adulthood. Despite male banter often involving homophobic comments and homosocial behaviour, banter experiences of gay men have to date largely been ignored in the literature. The aim of this study was to explore how gay men in a university setting understand and perceive banter. The data were devised from semi-structured interviews (n = 6, 20–22 years; male). An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) explored the participants' experiences of banter in their everyday interactions, including within their same-sex friendships and romantic relationships. Themes highlighted how language and behaviours typical of homosocial banter often created a sense of unease when engaging with heterosexual friends, but banter use and perception could be influenced by context and social relationship. Complexities of navigating the ambiguity of banter are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates how health-related brands can benefit from the inclusion of larger-bodied women in advertising. Given that larger-bodied women are more representative of the average American consumer than the thin-bodied women typically featured in advertisements, these results have important implications for marketers. Across eight studies, our results show that framing the body as a process rather than as an object in health-related product advertisements that include images of larger-bodied women increases women consumers' purchase intentions for the advertised product. This effect occurs because women consumers' perceptions of their own humanness increase after exposure to body as a process versus body as an object messaging. Furthermore, we identify a key boundary condition of this finding at the intersection of gender identity and sexual orientation. Specifically, we find that our results hold among women and gay men, but not among straight men. Our findings support calls for the inclusion of larger-bodied women in health-related advertising, provide practitioners with clear guidelines on how to portray larger-bodied women in health-related advertising, and underscore the importance of featuring diverse individuals who have historically been excluded from advertising in a way that does not negatively impact consumers' health and welfare or product purchases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV acquisition, uptake of PrEP among gbMSM is low, which may in part be due to stigma associated with PrEP use. This systematic review aimed to explore experiences of PrEP stigma and to identify factors associated with this. Four databases were searched for papers including terms relating to (i) gbMSM, (ii) PrEP, and (iii) stigma, with narrative synthesis used to analyze results. After screening, 70 studies were included in the final analysis. Experiences of PrEP stigma were found to be characterized by a number of stereotypes and came from a range of sources. Five categories of factors were associated with stigma: (i) healthcare-related factors, (ii) cultural and contextual factors, (iii) sociodemographic factors, (iv) peer-discussion, and (v) psychosocial factors. These findings suggest that stigma can be a common experience for gbMSM. However, some are more at risk than others. Interventions aimed at reducing PrEP stigma may be useful in increasing uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]