Social discrimination and health: the case of Latino gay men and HIV risk

R. Diaz, G. Ayala

This groundbreaking study issued by the Racial and Economic Justice Initiative of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, documents the correlation between three forms of social oppression - homophobia, racism and poverty - with the risk-taking behavior associated with HIV transmission. Current HIV prevention methods do not adequately address social and cultural factors that can contribute to increased risk for HIV infection among Latino gay men. Social Discrimination and Health is based on the preliminary findings of the study Nuestra Voces("Our Voices"). The study split its focus between three major cities: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. The cities were chosen for their representation of the Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican subgroups, respectively, within the Latino community. Social Discrimination and Health is the first bilingual NGLTF report, available in English and Spanish.