Blacks and homophobia

Among gay men in the United States, blacks are more likely than whites to believe that homosexuality is wrong - and these feelings might be contributing to the black men's higher risk of HIV infection, researchers suggest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2006 African-Americans accounted for nearly half (45%) of new infections in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Also, according to recent estimates, they account for a disproportionate 24% of reported HIV cases among gay and bisexual men in the United States. Using data from a health survey conducted periodically since 1972, the researchers found that, in general, African-Americans were more likely than whites to report a negative attitude toward homosexuality. In 2008, 72% of black adults said that homosexuality was always wrong - a rate that had changed little since the 1970s. Among whites, 52% expressed that view in 2008, which was down from 71% in 1973. A similar pattern was seen among men who reported having sex with other men. Of these men, 57% of African Americans said they believed homosexuality was always wrong, versus 27% of whites. When the researchers looked at the men's reported rates of HIV testing, they found that those who regarded homosexuality as wrong were less likely to have ever been tested: 36%, versus 73% of those with a more favorable view of homosexuality. According to the researchers, other studies have shown that black men who have sex with men tend to prefer other black partners - who would inevitably bear the brunt of any reluctance to go for HIV testing.