A quick Google search reveals Queerty‘s used the term “down low” at least 100 times before. The term, of course, is regularly used to describe “straight” black (and sometimes Latino) men who have sex with other men behind closed doors, but don’t consider themselves gay. It’s an interesting phenomenon — even Oprah has talked about it! But what if all our fascination with black guys on the down low is actually helping HIV spread?
One of the usual storylines that goes along with black men on the down low is that they’re having sex without condoms; putting a condom on would somehow affirm that they were indeed having sex with another guy, and, ewwww, gross!
Bareback sex with other dudes, of course, is a hot zone for spreading HIV, especially when those men go home to their wives and girlfriends. Which explains why HIV infections are seven times higher among black men in the U.S. than white men — and 20 times higher for black women than white women.
But all our talk about guys on the down low, and our curiosity about the phenomenon, could actually be making things worse. Researchers behind a new study published in Social Science & Medicine argue use of the phrase “on the down low” actually “stigmatises and exoticises this behaviour as an issue unique to black men,” writes AIDSMap.
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The term itself — coined by black communities in the early 1990s, apparently — was originally meant to describe the want for discretion, and had nothing to do with sexuality. But as it was co-opted for the purpose of describing “behind closed doors sex,” the phrase “has functioned to reinforce men’s sense of masculinity and membership in the African-American community,” say the researchers in the article “Moving beyond ‘the Down Low’: a critical analysis of terminology guiding HIV prevention efforts for African American men who have secretive sex with men.”
Here, they’ve outlined their main problems with health professionals (or, um, bloggers?) using the term:
* It suggests that there is something unique and peculiar about African-American men’s same-sex behaviours that merits special language, whereas similar behaviours are found in men of other ethnicities.
* Discussion often assumes, but does not demonstrate, that men ‘on the down low’ engage in behaviour that is particularly risky for HIV transmission.
* It may also be assumed that these men are inherently gay, but are yet to embrace that identity. This characterises men’s self-understanding as flawed and dishonest.
* The way African-American men use the term is likely to change over time, and not all will agree on its meaning. However outsiders’ use of the term does not reflect this.
* The term is used as a simple label, without understanding the social, cultural and historical factors that drive behaviour.
For further reading, might we suggest:
TylerOakley
Interesting case, I’ve never heard of the phrase “on the down low” used in that way.
asa1973
Question: In what condition are we to consider folks like Ted Haggard and Larry Craig? Are they on the Down Low? Or because they’re white, do we simply label them “in the closet?” Is there a difference?
Qjersey
“The term itself — coined by black communities in the early 1990s, apparently — was originally meant to describe the want for discretion”
Wrong! the term has been around forever, I remember in high school in the 80’s kids were saying “keep it on the DL” when you got pot from them, lol.
And if you say you are on the DL, you aren’t. Being on the DL means not dicussing it at all just doing it.
It is no different then 50 years ago (think Madmen or that Dennis Quaid movie) when middle class married white men snuck around for man sex on the side.
It also has become a way of saying “STR8” acting or “not into the gay scene”
Darth Paul
@asa1973: I definitely consider them DL. It doesn’t apply only to black men.
It may also be assumed that these men are inherently gay, but are yet to embrace that identity. This characterises men’s self-understanding as flawed and dishonest.
**Anyone who leads their spouse on to think they’re being fidelitous when they’re sleeping around (with males or females) is being dishonest. How is that in question?
sparkle obama
men of all colors have m-to-m sex without labeling it.
Black people just put a name to it.
queerty,you are shady and i am watching you.
An Other Greek
If Queerty is “shady”, they are not alone.
The skepticism of the study is appealing, but it does go against not only many other studies, but also my personal experience, and any random sampling of internet ads.
The DL behavior exists universally through cultures. True. Does it exist equally through all communities? Again, in my personal experience, the answer is no.
Is there not something particularly problematic and in need of attention in the Black community concerning this issue? Those that study and work on these issues, who are often diverse, have rang a bell of warning. Why? Cultural insensitivity? Sloppy Scholarship?
Sloppy scholarship is that that obfuscates for formal/academic/argument-for-argument-sake or political reasons.
DL is not pure. It isn’t simply discretion or reserve. It is at best fetish, and at worst self-hate, shame, and cowardice. This of course leads to problematic behavior, and this then often leads to HIV. NOT rocket science.
Ultimately it is about dialogue. Silence still equals death, and the opening of the Black community to gay culture can only help heal pathological and social disease.
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Damon
Hey Greek.
Although I don’t argue with the rest of your assertions, I think personal opinion should be left out of your post. From the day I stepped into the online world I’ve met dozens of gay white men in the closet, having relationships with women. Sure, the “DL” culture may be more prevalent in the AA community but my personal experience says its just as prevalent in the white gay community.
And its best to also take into account that drug addiction/usage/market is more prevalent in the black community. Law enforcers are more likely to arrest blacks for drug offenses and the harshest drug laws “oddly” apply to the drugs most prevalent in the black community. Remember HIV is spread through introvaneous drug use. Also remember drug addiction leads some people to prostitution. And the threat of HIV in prison should be noted.
While the black community certainly has an issue with sex, sexual orientation and gender, lets not make the threat of HIV and the disintegration of black America a “homophobia” issue. Homophobia is one out of many threats that hunt the black community both inside and out. Theres no way to figure out solutions for black homophobia without figuring out how homophobia is become widespread in the black community.
Mister C
Hey Damon…Well what about WHITE HOMOPHOBIA???? It doesn’t exist? And also as Queerty wants to label this as mostly Blacks and sometimes Latino..yeah, yeah,yeah So use Keith Boykin and J L King’s books as your reason when most of your readers are 90% caucasian…
Well Damon what do you call it when a White male gets on the phone sex line and says:
“White Bi-Bottom, White married bottom looking for raw meat” We’ve heard that alot. Oh that’s right whites call it “DISCREET” and I assume that’s okay
Also Damon as far as this statement is concerned:
“While the black community certainly has an issue with sex, sexual orientation and gender, lets not make the threat of HIV and the disintegration of black America a “homophobia” issue. Homophobia is one out of many threats that hunt the black community both inside and out. Theres no way to figure out solutions for black homophobia without figuring out how homophobia is become widespread in the black community.”
That goes for the White,Latino,and Hispanic communities as well
Queens kill me making it seem that HOMOPHOBIA and diseases and these other issues are only in the Black Community. White Bi-Men are not getting tested therefore them, or their wives don’t know if they have it or not.. And if that isn’t the down-low what is?????
An Other Greek
Mister C,
Are you proposing that all who are concerned with and/or critical of DL are Caucasians?
Or are you suggesting that if an issue exists in all communities, then the issue is equally urgent in all?
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David
Are we saying being on the DL hasn’t contributed to the rise of HIV in the straight black female population?
Numbers show this to be the largest group of new infections.
drevolutionary1
* Discussion often assumes, but does not demonstrate, that men ‘on the down low’ engage in behaviour that is particularly risky for HIV transmission.
I think that is the most important assertion, as scapegoating of black gay men has lead people to look away from THEIR OWN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
While men who are dishonest about their sex lives (have unprotected sex with men and come back and have unprotected sex with their women/their wives/girlfriends) make up a percentage of HIV transmission, there is no way to quantify that. The only thing this emphasizes is that all people must always always always use protection. It also emphasizes what @An Other Greek: said in regards to a dialogue in the black community. I could get into how gender relations and power play a role in all this, but read the books.
In fact, thanks queerty for posting both books. Read JL King’s book, then Keith Boykin’s… then make an assessment on this whole situation people!