The lives and sexual risk behaviours of rural, closeted men who have sex with men living in Montana. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwitters, Amee; Sondag, K. Ann
• Is Part Of: Culture, health & sexuality. Volume 19:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Gay -- men who have sex with men -- closeted -- stigma -- rural -- Canada; Sex -- Periodicals; Sex -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Sex -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 306.705
• DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2016.1211739
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-1058

Abstract

Abstract: The current study investigated the role of the rural environment in shaping men's decisions to remain closeted about their same-sex sexual activity and the cognitive, affective and behavioural consequences of that decision. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 45 self-identified closeted men who have sex with men living in Montana. Because of the difficulty of finding closeted men, recruitment occurred using the Internet. Interviews were analysed to elicit overall themes influencing men's lives. An Outness Inventory was administered to determine men's perceived level of being 'out' to others. Men reported high levels of stress related to their need to live a double life in an attempt to conform to perceptions of masculinity within the rural cultural environment. Fear of being outed led men to seek out-of-town or out-of-state sexual partners indicating widespread sexual networks and increased risk for HIV infection. While men felt they were able to interact with their communities on a superficial level, many stressed their desire for a deeper sense of connection and social support. The majority of men in this study dreamed of a day when they could express their whole identity without fear.