“We're Going to Have to Cut Loose Some of Our Personal Beliefs”: Barriers and Opportunities in Providing HIV Prevention to African American Men who have Sex with Men and Women

• DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2011.23.6.521
• Publication Date: 2011-12-27T21:18:11Z
• Authors: Lena D. Saleh; Don Operario; Carla Dillard Smith; Emily Arnold; Susan Kegeles
• Keywords: Ambivalence

In the United States, there is an urgent need to provide HIV prevention services African American men who have sex with and women (MSMW) but do not identify as gay or homosexual. Engaging these in has historically been challenging. This study used qualitative methodology explore beliefs experiences from community-based service providers (n = 21) MSMW regarding provision of education counseling men. Data analysis revealed that (a) can challenge providers' assumptions about sexual behavior identity; (b) attitudes toward be affected by ambivalent negative pervade general community; (c) safe nonjudgmental spaces offer risk reduction, they also might experience anxiety disclosing same-sex behaviors counselors. Findings highlighted complexities related culture, masculinity, sexuality determinants MSMW, findings tensions between factors may affect quality services. Service additional training appropriate non-judgmental education.