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| The lowdown on the down low |
| By Jim Montalto, News Editor |
| Published: 01/29/2007 |
The Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report has never been a publication to shy away from addressing some of the most difficult of topics, and in corrections there never seems to be a shortage of this subject matter. For those who enjoy this direct and “to-the-point” type of reporting, this month's IDCR will not disappoint. As the term “down low” (DL), and its applicability to black men, becomes a more prevalent conversation in HIV prevention groups, IDCR decided to break down both the meaning and the myths behind the term. DL is most often used when referring to black men who are involved in relationships with women but have sex with other men and do not inform their female partners about their same sex encounters. Bisexual behavior is not a new topic, but in the lead article, The Mythology of the Down Low: A critical exploration of black men who have sex with men and HIV transmission “the ways in which it has been discussed has led many to believe that it constitutes a public health emergency due to the belief that DL black men serve as the primary HIV transmission "bridge" to black women. DL men are perceived within some communities as the sole reason for the high rates of HIV among black women.” Article authors, Dr. Lisa Hightow-Weidman and Justin Smith, both from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, School of Medicine's Division of Infectious Diseases, say that a primary thesis of a bestselling book has launched discussions about DL in the mainstream media but has further confused any understanding of the possible links between DL men and HIV transmission to women. However, there is little social science or medical literature that details the number of black women who have become HIV infected from down low men. IDCR brings this point to light and discusses four major myths surrounding DL men, which include that all DL men are HIV positive; all black men who have sex with men are on the DL; the DL can only be applied to black men; and DL men are causing the rising rates of HIV among black women. To read more about this month's report is exploring this topic and each of these problematic myths, go to www.idcronline.com |
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