HIV Infection and Hispanic Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract

The growing urgency of meeting the underserved needs of Hispanic gay and bisexual men is underscored by the rising number of AIDS cases within thispopulation. For many Hispanic gays and bisexuals the psychosocial aspects relate to how the individual identifies himself as a Hispanic and as a gay or bisexual man. Hispanic gay and bisexual men often live three different lives in three different communities. For the researcher and service provider interested in contributing to the AIDS effort there are several systemic issues thatfunction as barriers. These systemic barriers have hampered efforts directed at gay and bisexual Hispanics. They are maintained by long-standing fears, suspicions, and power paradigms commonly referred to as homophobia, racism, and the internalization of these attitudes by Hispanic gays and bisexuals. This article attemptsto describe the psychosocial reality of Hispanic gay and bisexual men, examines the barriers affecting these men in HIV prevention, research, and service delivery systems, and discusses interventions to prevent HIV transmission in this group.