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Impact of Homophobia in The Black Community

Abstract

A literary review was conducted to understand why the black community in the U.S. greatly suffers from this discrimination, as well as the impact it has on the member of the community. Peer reviewed articles sourced from Columbia College Library were selected for their insight into the root of the problem. Ideologies of the Black Church provided insight to not only the culture of black people, but also the history of black people. Additional articles highlighted the hardships of black LGBTQ members not only in the race community, but also their sexual orientation community. It is concluded that aspects of hypermasculinity, and lack of acceptance in the black community provide little support for LGBTQ members to feel safe. This lack of safety promotes secrecy, therefore forcing black people that do not fit in the traditional sexual orientation categories to forgo their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

Black homosexual men make up 1% of the population, yet they account for 25% of new HIV cases annually (Dawson et al., 2019). Black Churches are a staple of the black community and are treated as a viable resource of acceptance and guidance. Although it is not the stated opinion of black congregations to promote homophobia the teachings that are given in direct service or affiliated functions, say otherwise. Hypermasculinity is taught within these environments through homophobic-driven theology and black nationalism (Dawson et al., 2019). A bar is set for black people to constantly raise in order to show that they are just as capable if not better than all other races. These ideas stem from a history of enslavement and discrimination in the U.S. in which freedoms and liberties were not granted producing a community that was deemed as less than or subservient. To expel these common beliefs of the past it is in the interest of the Black Church to stay absolved of nay blemish upon the community. Homosexuality goes against the idea of the traditional family structure causing many black people to feel that it is not beneficial to black nationalism. Being that the Black Church is the most influential institution of its community, it has fostered many of the oldest social institutions in the community (Dawson et al., 2019). Theology that is taken verbatim, leaving no room for interpretation, is what many churchgoers are taught, in turn repeating the teachings to their families. While the Church has made attempts to change this narrative many congregations have not adopted this approach. Black Churches are especially weary to adopt changes made by the Church for fear of underrepresentation due to it being dominated by white men (Dawson et al., 2019). The combination of theology and historic oppression create a perfect environment for hypermasculinity to form. Black men feel pressure to live up to an expected role that is pushed by sermons given in church. Sermons that preach ideas of what it means to be a man result in black men looking inward to find if they meet these requirements, if these boxes are not checked then the need to increase one’s masculinity follows (Dawson et al., 2019). It is also found that feelings of embarrassment from not meeting the standard of what it means to be a man leaves gay, and bisexual men no option to be themselves. When these men choose to hide who they are from their community a decrease in mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness begins.

Many would venture to say that discriminatory behavior against homosexuals does not differ amongst race, but instead is an equally shared burden. Lewis (2003) wrote his article based off information that was gained from roughly seven thousand blacks and forty-three thousand whites throughout 31 surveys conducted since 1973 and found that there was a significant difference. Black homosexuals face a harsher backlash if they announce their sexuality to their families due to an increase in the likelihood, they will be disowned by family members and ostracized by their community. On average black people are 11-14 percent more likely than whites to think that not only is homosexuality is wrong, but that AIDS is a punishment directly from God for immoral sexual behavior (Lewis, 2003). These feelings against homosexuality are not only found in surveys but are more commonly found in day-to-day conversation and social settings. When black homosexuals fear what may happen to their lives if their community were to find out their sexual orientation, they are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. Following this type of behavior if their medial health is in jeopardy, they are also likely to follow up with medical appointments. Refuge for black homosexuals is not often found in their own racial community as well as their sexual community. Racism can often be found in the LGTBQ community and cause many black people to steer clear of the social groups that are affiliated with them (Lewis, 2003). Facing discrimination on two different fronts poses black homosexuals with a very different outlook on how open they are with their own sexuality.

Religious condemnation partnered with the lack of community support leads black homosexuals down the path of secrecy. A devastating truth in the LGBTQ community is that black men have the highest number of new HIV cases (Dawson et al., 2019). Their numbers of HIV cases can be directly correlated to the risky sex behaviors they partake in. Black men that have sex with men (BMSM) often have condom-less sex. This choice is particularly risky given the fact that HIV is a sexual transmitted disease that can easily be transferred through small tears in the inner lining of the anus. Having sex without a contraceptive drastically increases the chances of these tears forming and allows no protection for sex partners. Dawson et al. (2019) found that resilience is a psychological factor that impacts the decision to have condom-less sex. In their article resilience is defined as “the ability to recover quickly from stressful life situations”. Community acceptance promotes resilience, but given that black communities lack this support, BMSM often choose risky sex behaviors that align better with their desire for secrecy. Lack of resilience has been found to contribute to internalized homophobia in BMSM creating an additional reason on why they partake in impulsive risky sexual behavior (Dawson et al., 2019). The clear difference in the lifestyle and level of risk in when it comes to BMSM is found in staggering HIV statistic that they make up 25% of new HIV cases annually, but only equate to 1% of the U.S. population.

References

Dawson, E. L., Mendoza, M. C. B., Gaul, Z., Jeffries IV, W. L., Sutton, M. Y., & Wilson, P. A. (2019). Resilience, condom use self-efficacy, internalized homophobia, and condomless anal sex among black men who have sex with men, New York City. PLoS ONE, 14(4), e0215455. https://doi-org.proxy.ccis.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.0215455

Lewis, G. B. (2003). Black-White Differences in Attitudes toward Homosexuality and Gay Rights. Public Opinion Quarterly, 67(1), 59–78. https://doi-org.proxy.ccis.edu/10.1086/346009

Ward, E. (2005). Homophobia, hypermasculinity and the US black church. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 7(5), 493–504. https://doi-org.proxy.ccis.edu/10.1080/13691050500151248