Exploring the role of LGBT-affirming churches in health promotion for Black sexual minority men

Bibliographic Data

ID15098674
AuthorsJordan J White (0000-0002-9550-6375, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA;, corresponding author), Derek T Dangerfield (0000-0002-2473-3183, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA;), Erin Donovan (HopeSprings, Baltimore, MD, USA), Erin E Donovan (0000-0001-7030-4454), Derek Miller (0000-0002-3033-0698, HopeSprings, Baltimore, MD, USA), Suzanne M Grieb (0000-0001-9971-4115, Johns Hopkins University)
Year2020
Volume22
Issue10
Pages1191-1206
Publication date2020-10-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2019.1666429
PMID31594476
OpenAlexW2979472735
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited71

In the USA, Black sexual minority men (BSMM) remain disproportionately impacted upon by HIV and other sexual health issues. Individuals who attend church have lower rates of morbidity and mortality than those that do not; however, church attendance presents a paradox of being protective for some health outcomes and a risk for others among this population. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) affirming churches may offer support, but little is known about the role of LGBT-affirming churches in the lives of BSMM and how they may impact HIV and other health outcomes. This study explored the role of LGBT-affirming churches in the lives of BSMM. Nine focus groups (N = 52) were conducted in Baltimore City, Maryland between December 2017 and April 2018. Thematic analysis evaluated domains related to how men perceived, experienced, and engaged with LGBT-affirming churches. Three primary themes identified: (1) preferring traditional church environments over LGBT-affirming churches; (2) experiencing the LGBT-affirming church as a space of acceptance, emotional healing, and modelling loving same-sex relationships; and (3) perceiving LGBT-affirming churches as opportunities to engage community members to promote the well-being of BSMM. A secondary theme identified involvement in the house and ballroom community as an LGBT-affirming religious experience

African american · Attendance · Black church · Focus group · Lesbian · Minority stress · Political science · Population · Qualitative research · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Transgender · Demography · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Gerontology