ETHNIC-DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR, CONDOM USE, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL VARIABLES AMONG BLACK-AND-WHITE MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN

We examined ethnic differences in psychosocial variables anal sexual b ehavior with male partners for a sample of Black and White men who hav e sex with men (N = 515). Within the samples we defined bisexual and g ay men according to behavioral criteria. After controlling statistical ly for differences in demographic variables, we found that Black men, compared to White men, reported fewer male sexual partners, both for t heir Lifetime and the past six months. Black men were more likely than White men to report insertive anal sex with men and less likely to re port receptive oral sex with men. Condom use for anal intercourse did not differ by ethnicity. Relative to White men, Black men perceived th eir friends and neighbors to be less accepting of homosexual behavior, but Black respondents gave higher estimates of the prevalence of bise xual activity among men their age. White gay men were more involved in a gay community than were Black gay men. Ethnic differences in the re lations of sexual behaviors and hey psychosocial variables (involvemen t in a gay community, self-acceptance, and perceived acceptance by oth ers of homosexual activity) were also reported: For Black men the psyc hosocial variables were associated with their having experienced recep tive oral sex with men; for White men the associations were stronger w ith insertive anal sex with men. Implications for understanding the so cial construction of (homo)sexuality and for interventions designed to reduce the spread of HIV are discussed.