Race-based sexual preferences in a sample of online profiles of urban men seeking sex with men.
Race-based sexual preferences in the online profiles of men who have sex with men (MSM) may be relevant for understanding the sexual health of this population, including racial/ethnic disparities in HIV infection. In October 2011, a content analysis was conducted of the profiles of Boston-area members of a racially diverse website for MSM. The present analysis formatively examined the use of demographic and partner selection criteria by race/ethnicity appearing in the profiles of men who indicated race-based partner preferences (n = 89). Latino men were the most frequently preferred race (54 %), followed by White (52 %), Black (48 %), and Asian (12 %) men. In separate multivariable models adjusted for age and HIV status disclosure, wanting low-risk foreplay was associated with a preference for White men (aOR) = 4.27; 95 % CI = 1.70-10.75; p = 0.002), while wanting group sex was associated with a preference for Black (OR = 2.28; 95 % CI = 1.08-4.81; p = 0.03) and Latino men (OR = 2.56; 95 % CI = 1.25-5.23; p = 0.01). Future studies are needed to replicate findings in larger online samples. Mixed-methods research should explore how racial and behavioral preferences impact the sexual mixing patterns and health of MSM online in urban areas.
The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA, jwhite@fenwayhealth.org.
Jaclyn M
JM
White
Sari L
SL
Reisner
Emilia
E
Dunham
Matthew J
MJ
Mimiaga
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult