IDENTITY, PHYSICAL SPACE, AND STIGMA AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN LIVING WITH HIV IN CHICAGO AND SEATTLE

African American men have the highest rates of HIV in the United States, and research has shown that stigma, mistrust of healthcare, and other psychosocial factors interfere with optimal engagement in care with this population. In order to further understand reducing stigma and other psychosocial issues among African American men, we conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups with African American men in two metropolitan areas in the United States: Chicago and Seattle. We examined transcripts for relationships across variables of stigma, anonymity, self-identity, and space within the context of HIV. Our analysis pointed to similarities between experiences of stigma across the two cities, and illustrated the relationships between space, isolation and preferred anonymity related to living with HIV. The men in our study often preferred their HIV-linked identities remain invisible and anonymous, associated with perceived and created isolation from physical community spaces. This article suggests that our healthcare and housing institutions may influence preferences for anonymity. We make recommendations in key areas to create safer spaces for African American men living with HIV and reduce feelings of stigma and isolation.

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Singleton, J. L., Raunig, M., Brunsteter, H., Desmond, M., & Rao, D. (2015). Identity, Physical Space, and Stigma Among African American Men Living with HIV in Chicago and Seattle. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 2(4), 548-555.