Workshops

Effemiphobia and negative effects on identity, gender norms, and beliefs of masculinity among communities of Black men who have sex with men (BMSM)

Derrick Gibbs, Philadelphia FIGHT's Youth Health Empowerment Project's (YHEP) I AM... program. and Quincy Greene, Brothers United Philadelphia

An exploration of the historical context of masculinity within African American communities and its influence on gender norms among BMSM . Black masculinity, favors hyper-masculinity as the norm for black men. Through socialization, black MSM have internalized these ideals of gender expression resulting in negative views of characteristics associated with femininity in BMSM. Effemiphobia is the negative feeling towards effeminate gay men by other gay men. Effeminate black MSM have become a stigmatized group within the bMSM community. Facilitate discussion of these three questions related to the impacts of effemiphobia on black MSM communities:

• How does the historical background of the concepts of masculinity within Black communities affected gender identity, gender norms and values placed on these respective concepts?
• How does effemiphobia affect self-worth among black MSM?
• How does effemiphobia impact resiliency among [hyper] feminine black MSM?
• How does effemiphobia impact resiliency among [hyper] masculine black MSM?
• How do these factors directly impact the black MSM community
• How can black MSM communities shift their social norms (effemiphobia) to be more inclusive of diverse gender expressions (acceptance)?