2009/09/24 by Patrick A. Wilson, Pamela Valera, Ana Ventuneac +5 · 4 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Sex work and related issues
paper · doi:10.1080/00224490902846479
This qualitative study used sexual scripting theory to explore sexual stereotyping and sexual partnering practices among a racially diverse sample of men who use the Internet to engage in "bareback" sex with other men. The sample included 81 (73%) HIV-negative and 30 (27%) HIV-positive men who were recruited on Web sites where men seek other men to have bareback sex. Participants completed a semi-structured interview that included topics on their racial identification, their sexual experiences tied to race, and their experiences having sex with men of different racial groups. The findings suggested that a variety of race-based sexual stereotypes were used by participants. Sexual stereotyping appeared to directly and indirectly affect the sexual partnering decisions of participants. Sexual scripts may reinforce and facilitate race-based sexual stereotyping, and this behavior may structure sexual networks.