Latino Gay Men and HIV: Culture, Sexuality, and Risk Behavior

by Rafael M. Diaz

Overview

With research based on focus group and individual interviews in the United States, as well as a thorough and integrative review of the current literature, Latino Gay Men and HIV discusses the six main sociocultural factors in Latino communities — machismo, homophobia, family cohesion, sexual silence, poverty and racism—which undermine safe sex practices. In an attempt to explain the alarmingly high incidence of unprotected intercourse in this population, this in-depth cultural and psychological analysis shows how an apparent incongruence between knowledge or intention and behavior can possess its own sociocultural logic and meaning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415913881
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/18/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Rafael M. Diaz is Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at the University of California, San Francisco. He was previously an Associate Professor of Education at Stanford University. He is by training a social worker and developmental psychologist.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Chapter 1 Findings of Epidemiological Research; Chapter 2 Findings of Behavioral Research; Chapter 3 Cultural Barriers to Behavior Change; Chapter 4 Machismo and Homophobia; Chapter 5 Family Loyalty and Sexual Silence; Chapter 6 Poverty and Racism; Chapter 7 Acculturation Groups; Chapter 8 A Psycho-Cultural Model of Sexual Self-Regulation; Chapter 9 Hermanos de Luna Y Sol;

Editorial Reviews

"This is a powerful book that reveals much about the Latinos. ..all this is written here provides a better understanding for researcher who is faced with creating strategies that can help to educate the Latino men abour AIDS." — AIDS Book Review Journal
"Dr. Diaz poignantly shows that it is not ignorance of the guidelines for safer sex that explains why Latino gay-identified men continue to engage in unsafe sex. For the guidelines to be accepted and practiced, they must be more than commands. The author convincingly argues that they must be embodied in an understanding of the subjective meanings of their sexual unions within a culture that is pervasively homophobic and sexist." — John P. De Cecco, Center for Research and Education in Sexuality
"In short, Latino Gay Men and HIV is an intelligent and well-written book—it is a major contribution to the HIV disease prevention literature. Additionally, it adds to the general literature on race, ethnicity, and disease. Any HIV/AIDS researcher, activist, or provider will find this book accessible and useful, and I should add: important!...Diaz has produced an excellent piece of scholarship." — Alexander Ortega, Journal of Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
"While Latino Gay Men and HIV: Culture, Sexuality, and Risk Behavior is obviously written to target Latino gay men, it will benefit any prevention worker or clinician dealing with HIV and cultural issues. Indeed, it is exemplary of what culturally-informed work can be when it moves beyond superficial rhetoric and reaches for the heart of the matter." — Focus AIDS
"The book is well written, and the arguments offered are passionate and compelling...The book offers innovative models as well as interventions. It should be read by HIV/AIDS researchers and community activists, regardless of the ethnic group with which they work." — Maria Cecilia Zea, George Washington University
"Understanding the impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic on Lationo gay men is one of the most pressing needs in our currnet grappling with this epidemic. Rafael Diaz is uniquely placed to write about is issue and this text is an important and most welcome addition to the literature"." — John Bancoft, Indiana University
"Dr. Diaz poignantly shows that it is not ignorance of the guidelines for safer sex that explains why Latino gay-identified men continue to engage in unsafe sex. For the guidelines to be accepted and practiced, they must be more than commands. The author convincingly argues that they must be embodied in an understanding of the subjective meanings of their sexual unions within a culture that is pervasively homophobic and sexist." — John P. De Cecco, Center for Research and Education in Sexuality
"...illuminating background material on the AIDS crisis among gay Latinos." — Publishers Weekly
"One of the many important points raised . . . is the need for men to take responsibility for their actions. While this may seem like an obvious point, it is one that can't be stressed enough." — En La Vida

From the Publisher

Noting the lack of success of HIV risk-reduction programs for Latino gay men, D<'i>az (medicine, U. of California, San Francisco) reviews the limited epidemiological and behavioral literature on attempts to reduce the risk of HIV transmission among gay Latinos in a culturally appropriate manner. Endeavoring to provide meaning rather than convey blame, he describes the psychological and cultural context in which the virus is spreading, and relates the experiences of Latino gay men to the work of HIV prevention. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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