Sexual health of same-sex attracted male youth: Impacts of abstinence-only sexuality education

BACKGROUND: Researchers have yet to understand the health impacts of an abstinence-only sexuality education on same-sex attracted youth. This study explored the experiences of same-sex attracted male youth receiving an abstinence-only sexuality education. METHODS: Interviews with 8 men between the ages of 18 and 24 explored coming out experiences, narratives of in-school and out-of-school sexuality education, and opinions on how their health needs can be met in sexuality education. RESULTS: Participants described feelings of isolation, alienation, and exclusion resulting from their abstinence-only curriculum. Despite negative attitudes towards same-sex attracted individuals, culturally and within the curriculum, all participants developed resiliency skills which enabled them to survive and/or thrive. Resiliency was fueled by positive external messages from family, friends, church, and the media. The narratives suggested abstinence-only sexuality education impacts same-sex attracted men negatively vis-à-vis a reproduction of heteronormative discourses; in particular, there may be psychological implications for sexual identity development and strategies for maintaining sexual health. CONCLUSION: The curriculum left participants searching for models of a healthy sexuality inclusive of their lives. Resiliency provided a means for participants to counter in-school messages. However, abstinence-only sexuality education exacerbated negative outcomes for same-sex attracted men.