Gay Grief

Abstract

Thirty-two men attended a grief recovery group under the auspices of the AIDS Project Los Angeles over an 18-month period. Most had lost a partner to the effects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although feelings of grief are similar among all people experiencing a loss, the unique needs of this population became obvious. Social stigma, homophobia, fear of contracting the disease or of being a carrier, and special reentry and dating problems are only a few of the concerns that complicate their grief. The authors compare traditional and nontraditional grief groups and share experiences from their group.