Archives of Sexual Behavior
Volume 39, Issue 6, 2010, Pages 1321-1330

Partner selection among Latino immigrant men who have sex with men (Article)

Bianchi F.T. , Shedlin M.G. , Brooks K.D. , Penha M.M. , Reisen C.A. , Zea M.C. , Poppen P.J.
  • a Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • b College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, United States
  • c Department of Psychology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, United States
  • d Department of American Studies Program, New York University, New York, NY, United States
  • e Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • f Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States
  • g Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States

Abstract

This qualitative study explored partner selection in a sample ofimmigrant Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). In-depth interviews were conducted with men living in the greater New York metropolitanarea who had been born in Brazil (n = 10), Colombia (n = 14), or the Dominican Republic (n = 9). One focus group was conducted with MSM from each of the three countries (9 Brazilian, 11 Colombian, and 5 Dominican participants). A grounded theory approach revealed three main themes relating to partner selection. The first concerned stereotypes of how Latino and Anglo-American men tendtobehaveintheir sexualencounters and relationships. The participants perceived Latinos to be more affectionate and passionate, whereas they saw Anglo-American men as more independent and practical. These cultural discrepancies sometimes resulted in a preference for Latino partners. A second theme concerned stereotypes of the national groups, including expectations that Brazilians would be sexy and sensual and that Dominicans would have large penises. As found in other research on MSM of color, ethnic and national stereotypes were associated with experiences of sexual objectification. The third theme addressed the importance of masculine characteristics in sexual attraction and partner selection. Negative feelings towards effeminate men who did not conform to normative male physical or behavioral presentation reflect a stigma found inside and outside of the gay community. These findings suggest that gender and ethnic stereotypes play an important role in shaping partner choice and have implications for sexual risk and relationship formation. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.

Author Keywords

Latino stereotypes Masculinity MSM Sexual partner

Index Keywords

social psychology psychological aspect Stereotyping human middle aged Colombia ethnology gender identity Hispanic Americans masculinity Homosexuality, Male Dominican Republic interview United States Humans homosexuality Hispanic Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Article adult migration New York City Brazil
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78651097571&doi=10.1007%2fs10508-009-9510-x&partnerID=40&md5=9e8329786ded5a097c510d78968e5aa8
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-009-9510-x
ISSN: 00040002
Cited by: 19
Original Language: English