Black gay men as sexual subjects: race, racialisation and the social relations of sex among Black gay men in Toronto

Abstract

In this study of Black gay and bisexual men in Toronto, sexually active survey participants reported on their sexual behaviours with male partners of different ethnoracial backgrounds, and interview participants reflected on how their sexual relationships emerged in the context of race and interracial desire. Most survey participants reported sexual relationships with other Black men. Participants were more likely to be insertive with White and other ethnoracial men than with Black men. A significant number of participants who were receptive or versatile with Black partners switched to the insertive role when their sexual partners were not Black. Interview participants ascribed a sense of fulfilment to their sexual relationships with other Black men, but avoided relationships with White men or interpreted such relationships as either purely sexual and/or inflected by their racialised objectification. Others avoided sexual relationships with other Black men or preferred relationships with White men, sometimes in opposition to experiences of oppressive masculinity from some Black partners but mindful of the possibility of racialised encounters with their White partners. Study participants emerge as informed sexual subjects, self-conscious about their sexual relationships and variously inclined to negotiate or resist racialisation and oppression in the private and public spheres.

Race-Based Sexual Stereotypes and Their Effects on Sexual Risk Behavior in Racially Diverse Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Research has found that racial minority MSM report being frequent targets of sexual objectification, which is characterized by assumed negative or positive sexual characteristics based on race (Husbands et al, 2013; Paul, Ayala, & Choi, 2010; Stokes & Peterson, 1998; Wilson et al, 2009; Wilson & Yoshikawa, 2004). A recent qualitative study of a racially-diverse sample of MSM found that individuals held various race-based sexual stereotypes with regard to potential partners' sexual characteristics, gender expectations, and sexual role preferences (Wilson et al, 2009).…”

Sexual Positioning Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Narrative Review

“…preference; Box B) and the sexual scripts that allow for sexual positioning and/or condom negotiation ability within the sexual encounter (Box D). This model also considers individual and partner age and race/ethnicity within these distal and proximal forces as sexual identity and negotiation ability change with age and proximal power dynamics likely vary within and between different ethnic groups of MSM (Bowleg, 2004; Han, 2008; Husbands et al, 2013; Malebranche & Bryant, 2005). Sexual positioning identities and preferences guide the power dynamics present within the sexual encounter (Box C), which has a cyclical relationship with sexual positioning and condom use, implicated in the latitude an individual has to negotiate risk reduction behaviors (Box D).…”

“…Gagnon and Simon’s (1984) theory of sexual scripting highlights that sexual interactions can be informed by sexual ‘scripts’ derived from cultural scenarios, interpersonal interactions, and intrapersonal characteristics that frame the way people experience different sexual interactions. Masculinity stereotypes may create cues that could be an important precursor to sexual scripts between men and may manifest differently for MSM and MSMW (Husbands et al, 2013; Lick & Johnson, 2015). From our review, it is unclear how sexual scripts may differ for MSM compared to MSMW or how the cultural meanings and values behind masculinity may affect sexual position decision-making within sub-cultures of MSM.…”

“…We have extended these dynamics to include partner race/ethnicity and substance use as part of proximal forces affecting sexual positioning practices. Research suggests that Black MSM are expected to be “tops” because they are perceived as “hypermasculine” and sexually aggressive (Bowleg, 2004; Husbands et al, 2013; Malebranche & Bryant, 2005), and Asian MSM are expected to be “bottoms” because they are perceived as feminine and submissive (Han, 2008). Research also shows that substance use impairs judgment and reduces behavioral inhibitions, which may increase HIV and STI exposure (Kim, Kent, & Klausner, 2002) and that substance use during recent anal sex among MSM has been found to be associated with having an STI (Downing, Chiasson, & Hirshfield, 2015; Mansergh et al, 2008).…”

“…Initial research on this issue suggested that being versatile may have been specific to middle and upper class Caucasian American MSM and may not be found among MSM of other ethnicities or socioeconomic backgrounds (Carrier, 1977). However, more recent and diverse samples of MSM show that some men may take versatile roles and practice both IAI and RAI (Grov et al, 2010; Husbands et al, 2013; Johns et al, 2012; Klein, 2009; Moskowitz & Hart, 2011; Pachankis et al, 2013). Data show that the range of MSM and MSMW identifying at “top” ranges from 18%–35%, identifying as “bottom” ranges from 23%–42%, identifying as “versatile” ranges from 42%–47%, and responses of “not applicable” have been highlighted among up to 12% of MSM (Hart, Wolitski, Purcell, Gómez, Halkitis, et al, 2003; Klein, 2009; Moskowitz et al, 2008).…”