Dominican immigrant MSM in New York City: A photovoice study

Background Little is known about the intersections of immigration, masculinity, sexuality, and health among Dominican immigrant men who have sex with men (MSM), while their marginalized position increases risk for HIV infection and is likely to affect their mental health. Method Using photovoice, a form of participatory action research that uses documentary photography and storytelling, two immigrant MSM from Washington Heights neighborhood of Northern Manhattan underwent two rounds of photo–taking. Each round was followed by individual in-depth interviews and a group interviews, and an additional group interview in which participants were given the opportunity to print selected photos for one final reflection.

Results The men's stories, elicited by the photographs they took, showed how familism, as defined by familial support, emotional interconnectedness, and familial honor, has profound effects on the mental health and sexual decisions made by these men. One of the participants, not out to his family at the time of the study, felt the need to maintain a low profile with regard to his sexuality around family members. This caused him to make life-choices that were very different from that of the other participant who was out to his family and lived in his parents' house with his partner. Similarly, machismo in the Dominican immigrant community created a sense of reversed stigma: both participants strive for monogamous relationships to demonstrate to their families not to live up to the cultural stigma that all Domincan gay men are promiscuous and “dirty.”

Conclusion There are significant challenges and barriers to health among Dominican immigrant MSM. This study was small scale but demonstrates the potential to conduct this on a larger scale. Photovoice with a smaller number of participants than is usual, aslo seems to have the potential to stimulate a person's growth processes.