BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Baptist Looking Past the Down Low

There is a study conducted by an Indiana Uiversity sexual health expert Brian Dodge regarding:

"The popular media in the U.S. have focused too much on moral issues surrounding Black bisexual men who do not disclose their same-sex behaviors to female lovers, otherwise known as men 'on the down low,' with this focus creating a stigma that interferes with effective public health strategies."

He is basically saying that Black bisexual men (and bisexual men in general) should NOT disclose that they have same sex relations. According to Dodge, his study shows that this disclosure has no direct effect on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, disclosure does open the men up to humilition, ridicule, and/or rejection by their female partners. Also, "some men [fear] disclosing put them at-risk for physical and emotional harm."

Dodge says along with Emory University School of Medicine David Malebranche "that while disclosure may be important in some respects, it is not an essential factor in curbing the spread of HIV."

Outrageous! Hide your bisexuality because it does not contribure to the spread of HIV? Does anyone have an opinion about this?

Link to the article is here:
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If someone is not willing to disclose their sexual history and preferences, that is a sure warning sign. I don't see how you can do anything about people who lie though. There is no real way to know if they are lying. Quite honestly, how many have asked their partner if there is a chance they are bi?

I find this interesting because for as long as I can remember, the medical establishment has been preaching to be open and honest about stuff like that and to be up to date on testing etc. and to ask partners for test results etc.

I also recall being taught that gay men were the one's who spread it so quickly... in part because of the type of sex they have, easier to contract it... and then the bi-sexual men who would then also go home to their wives or sleep with other women because they are bi, spread it widely that way as well. Of course, I am sure there are studies out there that both deny and confirm those accusations.

Interesting study.

I know. It seems that honesty only applies if it does not threaten your ability to have your cake and eat it too.

That seems to apply in so many things in life - not just sex.



I think this officially changed to heterosexuals about 5 years ago. When HIV/Aids first came out it was more associated with gay men, but over the years it has become an equal opportunity disease.

That is part of the thinking that keeps it on the rise, thinking that it is more prevalent in a certain group when it is across-the-board. (Not knocking you Toddzgrrl02, I'm thinking specifically of teens and college coeds in this instance). It is part of the "it can't happen to me" mindset.