The Role of Black Christian Churches In The Lives of Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (YBMSM)

1. The Role of Black Christian Churches In The Lives of Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (YBMSM) Michael Leonardo Foster, EdD Susan Kegeles, PhD Greg Rebchook, PhD University-wide AIDS Research Program National Institute of Health

2. Overview • Aim • Background • Methods • Role of church during childhood • Role of church during adulthood • Implications • Conclusions

3. AIM: To explore the association between religiosity/spirituality and HIV serostatus for YBMSM

4. In 2003, Blacks—12.3% of US population; 54% of all HIV/AIDS diagnoses Traditional Christian church is significant in Black communities Background

5. 31 YBMSM, ages 19-30 years 15 HIV+ and 16 HIV- Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area, though interviewed in SF Fliers at 5 CBOs in Oakland/San Francisco & Street Outreach Methods

6. Summer 2002 through Summer 2003 To explore the role of religion in the lives of YBMSM in association with HIV serostatus Methods (continued)

7. 90-minute private interview using semi-structured protocol with probes 4 questions on religion or spirituality Tape-recorded, transcribed, entered in Atlas*TI and coded thematically Methods (continued)

8. Going to church was significant for every YBMSM in the sample Attended traditional Christian churches Varied slightly by frequency of attendance and context of worship (denomination) Role of Church During Childhood

9. Role of Church During Childhood (continued) • Church attendance mostly related to famly influence & tradition • For 1 YBMSM attendance related to social norm • By adolescence, YBMSM went to church for its social component

10. Varied by Frequency of Church Attendance Varied by Context of Worship Role of Church During Adulthood

11. Non-attendance—Atheist. Non-church goer Sporadic—spotty church attendance Regular—regular, weekly attendance Frequency of Church Attendance

12. Atheist—non-practicing Spiritual—personal prayer, gospel music Non-Christian—world religions, such as Buddihist, Hinduism, etc. Gay-friendly—open and affirming churches Traditional Christian—Baptist, Christian, etc. Context of Worship

13. Religiosity/Spirituality Among YBMSM, Divided By HIV Serostatus

14. HIV+ YBMSM Most either went to traditional Christian churches or prayed at home 1 HIV+ YBMSM became an Atheist All sought spiritual guidance in dealing with life’s issues, sanctification, cleansing of sins Characteristics of HIV+ YBMSM’s Practice of Religion/Spirituality

15. HIV- YBMSM Ran the gamut in terms of frequency and context of church attendance No HIV- YBMSM was an Atheist None worshipped at traditional Christian churches regularly When HIV- YBMSM attended church, they preferred non-Christian or gay-friendly churches Characteristics of HIV- YBMSM’s Practice of Religion/Spirituality

16. Church, religiosity and spirituality important to YBMSM HIV+ YBMSM, in particular, gain a sense of assurance from church and prayer HIV+ YBMSM seem especially sensitive to homophobia from church and often retreated to personal prayer Implications

17. Implications (continued) • For all YBMSM, homophobia & judgment were primary reasons for discontinuing their Christian church attendance • HIV- YBMSM negotiated a more flexible relationship with church and practiced religion/spirituality in numerous ways

18. Conclusions • Lots of potential for church-based HIV/AIDS prevention intervention ministries • Such initiatives must be situated in non-homophobic, non-judmental contexts • Most potential at open and affirming churches and other non-traditional church settings