Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the 6-month cumulative incidence of anti-gay harassment, discrimination, and violence among young gay/bisexual men and documented their associations with mental health.


METHODS
Gay/bisexual men from 3 cities in the southwestern United States completed self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven percent of men reported experiencing anti-gay verbal harassment in the previous 6 months; 11.2% reported discrimination, and 4.8% reported physical violence. Men were more likely to report these experiences if they were younger, were more open in disclosing their sexual orientation to others, and were HIV positive. Reports of mistreatment were associated with lower self-esteem and increased suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
Absent policies preventing anti-gay mistreatment, empowerment and community-building programs are needed for young gay/bisexual men to both create safe social settings and help them cope with the psychological effects of these events.
Huebner
David M
DM
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, AIDS Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 94105, USA. dhuebner@psg.ucsf.edu
Rebchook
Gregory M
GM
Kegeles
Susan M
SM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012919:Social Behavior; D015206:Southwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data