Conceptions of homosexuality among parishioners and pastors in Black churches in NYC

Background: Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in the United States. The Black Church has been identified as an important institution that affects attitudes and social norms within Black communities. Past research has demonstrated that the Black Church plays a major role in promoting the stigmatization of BMSM, which increases BMSM's vulnerability to HIV. The current study aimed to identify how parishioners and pastors in Black churches in New York City (NYC) conceptualize homosexuality. Methods: Ethnographic observations, interviews with pastors, and focus groups with parishioners were conducted in predominantly Black churches in Central Brooklyn, Upper Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. Grounded Theory was used to guide the analysis of qualitative data. Data was analyzed on multiple levels including: individual cases, denominations, and overall patterns. Results: Preliminary analyses revealed a common understanding of three distinct categories of homosexuality. The categories varied along two axes: choice and mutability. The categories can be described as: (1) behavioral homosexuality (chosen, mutable); (2) acquired homosexuality (not chosen, mutable); and (3) constitutional homosexuality (not chosen, immutable). Conclusions: Parishioners and pastors at Black churches conceived of three distinct categories of homosexuality. This data suggests that Black church affiliates do not always conceive of homosexuality as a sinful lifestyle choice. The categorical understanding of homosexuality identified in this study may serve as both a barrier to and facilitator of HIV prevention for BMSM. Future research should identify how attitudes towards homosexuality and MSM vary as a function of conceptions of homosexuality.