title: "A safe way to explore": Reframing risk on the Internet amidst young gay men's search for identity.
abstract: Internet use provides a vital opportunity for sexual minority youth to learn about sexual desires and pursue partnerships otherwise publically stigmatized. Researchers, however, have portrayed the Internet as an inherently risky venue for HIV/STI transmission among young gay men (YGM). We therefore investigated how YGM use the Internet during adolescence and emerging adulthood. In the course of 34 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a sample of self-identified YGM, 18-24 years of age, we inquired about initial experiences of online dating. We found that YGM benefit online through exploration of their sexual identities, while simultaneously encountering and negotiating sources of risk. In examining YGM's perceptions of risk, we hope to reach a greater understanding of the opportunities for HIV prevention and health promotion among YGM.
authors.affiliation: The managing director of the Sexuality and Health Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She specializes in qualitative research, with her most recent endeavors exploring LGBT youth development and identity. She holds a BA in Anthropology and French from Tufts University and a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Emily S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Pingel
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education in the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Bauermeister completed his MPH and PhD in Public Health from the University of Michigan. His primary research interests focus on sexuality and health, and interpersonal prevention and health promotion strategies for high-risk adolescents and young adults.
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bauermeister
authors.affiliation: Second year PhD student in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan. A native of the deserts of Arizona, she holds a BA in Psychology and Gender Studies from Whitman College and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Her research focuses on issues of health and well-being among women and LGBT people.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.affiliation: Research coordinator at the University of Michigan. She received her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education in 2010. She has worked at the University of California at San Francisco on international studies exploring female-controlled STI prevention methods. Her research interests include issues related to communication regarding sexuality and STI prevention.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.affiliation: Graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance with a major in Violin Performance and a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Additionally, he interned at the YES Institute in Miami, a not-for-profit organization focusing on suicide prevention among LGBT and all youth through community-based education on gender and orientation. He recently completed a Master's in Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leslie-Santana
keywords: HIV; Internet; LGBT; sexuality; young men