Risk Behaviors and Psychosocial Stressors in the New York City House Ball Community: A Comparison of Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

The New York City House Ball community consists of social networks of racial/ethnic minority gay, lesbian or bisexual men and women, and transgender persons. HIV seroprevalence and interview data were obtained from a sample of community members to identify statistical differences in HIV prevalence, risk behavior, and psychosocial stressors between men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women. Of 301 MSM and 60 transgender women, 20% were HIV-infected and 73% were unaware of their infection, but rates did not differ by gender. Risk behavior and stressors were common in both groups, but transgender women were more likely to report exchange sex, stigmatization, and stressful life events. High rates of risk behavior and HIV in this special community warrant relevant HIV testing and prevention services. Transgender women in the community may be at even greater risk for HIV infection due to behaviors compounded by substantial psychosocial stressors.

‘Ballroom itself can either make you or break you’ – Black GBT Youths’ psychosocial development in the House Ball Community

“…Despite these risks, the HBC remains a vibrant and supportive sanctuary for Black GBT youth. Sanchez, Finlayson, Murrill, Guilin, and Dean (2010) assert that although the community as a whole is defined by the competition at balls, these types of social networks may provide the support needed for members to cope with life stressors and act as settings for the embracing of self-protecting behaviours, including sexual risk reduction. Efforts should be made to strengthen and enhance the aspects of the community that promote positive youth development, while seeking to mitigate features of the scene associated with increased risk and harm.…”

HIV prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual behaviors among transwomen in Mexico City

“…According to the manufacturer 12 and an internal validation at the Clinic, this test warrants 100% sensitivity and specificity. * As stated in the informed consent, results from rapid testing were not given to the participants during the survey given that the main objective of the survey was to estimate population-level prevalence of HIV and because of the inadequate conditions of most of the gathering places to provide appropriate post-counseling for those HIV positive.…”

Prevention case management improves socioeconomic standing and reduces symptoms of psychological and emotional distress among transgender women

“…Research suggests that transgender women engage in high levels of sex work (Bowers, Branson, Fletcher, & Reback, 2011; Harawa & Bingham, 2009; Reback, Lombardi, Simon, & Frye, 2005; Wilson et al, 2009) and are more likely to turn to sex work than men who have sex with men (Nemoto et al, 1999; Sanchez, Finlayson, Murrill, Guilin, & Dean, 2010). Survival sex by transgender women makes them vulnerable to HIV, often by engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors with potentially high-risk partners (De Santis, 2009; Herbst et al, 2008).…”

“…Given their relatively low socioeconomic standing and high rates of sex work, it is not surprising that transgender women frequently report significant symptoms of psychological and emotional distress including clinical depression (Bockting, Huang, Ding, Robinson, & Rosser, 2005; Carson, 2009; Clements-Nolle et al, 2001; Operario & Nemoto, 2005; Sanchez et al, 2010), anxiety (Bockting, Knudson, & Goldberg, 2006; Carson, 2009), and suicidal ideation (Herbst et al, 2008; Mathy, 2002; Xavier & Simmons, 2001). Moreover, transgender women report elevated rates of a lifetime history of hospitalization for mental health issues (Clements-Nolle et al, 2001; Mathy, 2002; Reisner et al, 2009; Wilson, et al, 2009) and express a desire for mental health counseling, particularly to address transgender-related issues (Herbst et al, 2008).…”