Exploring the existence of gay family networks in New Orleans, Louisiana

The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) utilizes a national survey to monitor trends in HIV prevalence and incidence rates among populations at risk for HIV including men who have sex with men (MSM). During the 2011 formative research phase for NHBS in New Orleans, one prominent theme that emerged from qualitative data in focus groups and interviews was the phenomenon of gay families, a form of chosen family networks among MSM who may not be related by blood or marriage. Several locally developed questions were created to explore the concept of gay families, since prior research suggests that social, sexual, and drug-using networks may influence individual health decisions and HIV risk behaviors. These questions included if the participant had ever heard of gay families and whether they had ever been or were currently members. In addition, MSM who were members of gay families were asked to list what positive and negative functions membership provided. Using venue-based sampling, 488 MSM were recruited for in-depth interviews. 70% of MSM had heard of gay families and of those, 42% were previously or currently members. Among MSM who have belonged to gay families, the most common positive function cited was emotional support and the most common negative function was access to drugs. Future research is necessary to further define gay families and explore potential associations with HIV risk and membership.