 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Jesus Ramirez-Valles, PhD, MPH1, Lisa M. Kuhns, MPH2, Norberto Valbuena, MS3, and Carlos Cantu, BS2. (1) Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public Health, m/c 923, 1603 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612-4394, 312-996-6346, valles@uic.edu, (2) School of Public Health/Health Research and Policy Centers, University of Illinois at Chicago, 850 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60607, (3) Institute of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3101 S. Dearborn, LS/252, Chicago, IL 60616
Research suggests that stigma regarding sexual orientation may be particularly prevalent in the Latino community. This stigma may have a major impact on individuals' health and sexual risk behavior. The aim of this study was to explore sexual orientation stigma among Latino gay men and to develop a comprehensive measure along three dimensions: perceived, experienced, and internalized stigma. Community-wide recruitment was used to select a convenience sample of 80 Latino gay men (40 Chicago, 40 San Francisco); semi-structured life history interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. Data were analyzed following ethnographic methods for narrative and life histories. Sexual orientation stigma items were identified and compared with existing measures. A total of 63 items to assess sexual orientation stigma were developed in English and Spanish. Analysis across life history and along the three dimensions of stigma (perceived, experienced, and internalized) uncovered stigma during childhood and adulthood and in multiple environments, such as school, work, and family. Family life was found to be a particularly important source of stigma. Societal expectations and norms regarding gender are channeled through the family resulting in attempts to change behavior, verbal abuse, alienation, and displacement of Latino gay men. Many aspects of sexual orientation stigma identified in previous research were also found in this study. However, these data reflect culturally specific sources of stigma. Based on these findings an instrument was drafted to obtain a comprehensive and detailed measurement of sexual orientation stigma reflecting perceived, experienced, and internalized stigma.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Gay Men, Latino
Related Web page: www.uic.edu/sph/2comunidades/
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.