22 Nov 05

by: Herndon L. Davis
I’m not a medical researcher or an HIV expert, but what I do have are opinions on the startling conclusion by the CDC that 46% of Black Gay Men are HIV+.

Initially I didn’t believe the numbers and still have my doubts on the accuracy of such a high figure. What exactly could cause nearly half of black gay men to become infected with HIV despite the continued targeted outreach and education that has been established for many years now?

After pouring over the 5 city survey results, I eventually decided to take a rather non-statistical, non-quantitative look at the disturbing number. Instead, I focused on the story behind the numbers to hear what they had to tell me.

In addition, I dialogued with many diverse black gay men on the topic, reflected upon my past dating experiences with black gay men who were both  HIV- and +, then simply observed the black gay community as a fragment of the overall society.

Suddenly alarm bells began to ring as I realized  that we have a “perfect storm” within the black gay male community where several different factors have optimally played an integral part in spreading HIV like wildfire. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are 7 primary reasons that have worked in concert to produce a 46% infection rate among black gay men.

1. Many black gay men have a strictly physical, transactional, and detached view of male-to-male sex as being just an exchange of bodily fluid, a quick nutt, let’s hurry and get this sh*@ over before they catch us mentality. This hurried, hushed, secretive and detached mindset of male-to-male sex takes away any forethought of careful and consistent condom use or discussion of HIV status.  So why you may ask, the physical, transactional, and detached view of  male-to-male-sex?  Well let’s take a look at reasons 2-7.

2. We first have to thank our venerable enemy, homophobia which now comes in three distant flavors: externalized (society’s hatred of homosexuals), internalized (your self-hatred for being gay), and spiritual (your church’s hatred of homosexuals). It’s much easier to banish black gay men and the guilt for being gay to just sex between two bruthas kicking it versus a deep romantic love between two black men who love each other sexually. The former is a cop-out and the latter is way too deep for the overall black community to handle.

3. Living Out Gay Porn Fantasies - I  believe many black gay men are attempting to live out secretive, uninhibited sexual fantasies by mimicking what they see in gay porn movies through thrilling yet sexually violent encounters which can easily cause severe bloody exchanges, hence magnifying HIV contraction especially if condoms aren’t being used.

Think about it.  What images do you usually see in gay porn? Never do you see romantic, caring portrayals of black gay men making love. Instead, what you do see are images of gang bang, multiple sex partners, and non-stop sexual free-for-alls where men are verbally and physically abusive towards one another during the intimate act of male-to-male sex.    

Now combine all of this with the verbal and emotional abuse inflicted upon each other where sexual partners call each other bitches, hoes, and niggas. These verbal exchanges only reinforce the internalized and stigmatized “shame” of male-to-male sex.  

Ironically many gay men are also consumers of straight porn, which reflects the exact same sexual fantasy of detached, rough or violent sex with varying degrees of verbal/emotional abuse towards women.  

4.  And let us not forget about the lack of use or misuse of our dear old friends, condoms and lube.  Could it be that a higher percentage of black gay men than we realize lose their erections when condoms are used, are allergic to condoms, cannot afford to buy condoms, or are too ashamed to walk inside of a pharmacy to buy them or walk inside of a clinic to pick them up for free?

These questions bring up issues of economics, sexual performance, and shame. Could it be that one or a combination of these factors contribute to why black gay men are seemingly not willing to use condoms or mishandle them during sex?  

And speaking of mishandling, are black gay men mishandling condoms by tearing into them in the heat of the moment, not realizing that condoms have expiration dates and should be discarded afterwards, and should be stored in cool places? Could it be that black gay men also fail to check condom packages for tiny pin pricks by squeezing them to see if air disburses around the package or not?

And if the condoms do reduce erections and sexual performance of black gay men to such a disproportionate degree, are they also aware of sexual devices such as cock rings to assist them in sustaining their erections while the condom is being used?  Are these rings and other sexual devices too expensive for black gay men to purchase or are they too ashamed to be seen going inside of sex shop to buy them?

To eradicate the “shame” of buying condoms, lube, cock rings, etc  would using the internet instead of walking in store help?  But what about the infamous digital divide within the overall black community?  Are black gay men less apt to make internet purchases for such items because of the technology divide versus buying gay porn online?

Now let’s focus on lube for a moment.  Could it be that a higher percentage of black gay men are still using Vaseline, hair grease, lotion and other items that actually break down the barriers of condoms?  Or are old habits simply too hard to break to save their lives?

5.  Now let’s switch gears to the perceived appearance of HIV.  Could it be that black gay men are deceived when they see a man who is healthy looking with rippled muscles and an attractive face and assume that he is not HIV+?  Do they feel that if he’s not sickly looking that he must be negative?  Further, we all know that certain types of HIV medication can cause physical and at times highly visible side-effects from head to toe.

Could it be that there’s a large number of infected black gay men who do not exhibit such visible side-effects because they aren’t on any type of medication either because it isn’t needed or because they simply don’t know that they’re infected?

6.  Drug Use - Could it be that black gay men are disproportionate drug users and thus are being infected through this method at extreme high rates?  Could it be that the drug use is being embraced as a form of medication against the three types of villainous homophobias: externalized, internalized, and spiritual?  And also could the various types of drug use be used as an effort to sustain erections and to ward off pre-mature ejaculations?

7.  Finally, could it be that black gay men do not realize that regardless of sexual position, that they’re always at risk for contracting HIV? Could it be that they falsely believe that by topping only or receiving oral only, it somehow immunes them against contracting HIV?

So there you have it, the 7 not-so-lucky reasons why according to the CDC, 46% of all black gay men are HIV+.  Now that you know the reasons, what are you personally going to do about it?

Upcoming essays:  Surpassing The Understanding of Others, Facing Your Ugly Truths, The World Is Calling:  Are You Answering?,  Radical Minds and Critical Thinkers, Seeking Inspiration

Herndon L. Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV Host. He can be reached directly at http://herndondavis.com