‘At times, I feel like I'm sinning’: the paradoxical role of non-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming religion in the lives of behaviourally-bisexual Latino men

Abstract

In this paper, we examine non-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming religiosity among behaviourally-bisexual Latino men as it relates to sexual attitudes, experiences and behaviours. We asked how does religiosity correspond to masculine identities, sex roles and condom efficacy? And how might religiosity influence contexts of health risks? Data were analysed from a mixed-methods study of 142 behaviourally-bisexual Latino men, aged 18-60 years. Major findings include positive correlations between religiosity and (1) masculine ideologies, (2) internalised homonegativity, (3) less comfort with receptive sex, (4) low condom efficacy and (5) higher levels of loneliness and incidents of discriminatory events. Results are paired with illustrative, descriptive case studies from life history interviews. It is suggested that non-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming religiosity plays a paradoxical role in the lives of behaviourally-bisexual Latino men - on one hand, increasing internalised homonegativity and attendant health risks and, on the other, providing social support to members of a marginalised population.