The politics of invisibility : HIV-positive women who have sex with women and their struggle for support

E. Arend

HIV-positive women who have sex with women (WSW) have been routinely overlooked by government researchers, health care providers, and the AIDS service community. In addition to stigmas against homosexuality and HIV in larger society, low-income African American and Latina HIV-positive WSW in particular face culturally based stigmas and are disproportionately affected by poverty, drug addiction, homelessness, sex work, and abuse. By analyzing 16 intensive interviews with low-income HIV-positive WSW of color, the author examined the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of this population and their methods of coping with HIV. Also examined were the participants_perceptions of available support networks, which were examined in order to raise awareness of the complex battle fought by these women against HIV and homophobia in the face of greater social, cultural, and economic strife.