Experiences of racism, sexual objectification and alcohol use among gay and bisexual men of colour

• Published in: Ethnicity & health Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 525 - 541
• Main Authors: Souleymanov, Rusty, Brennan, David J., George, Clemon, Utama, Richard, Ceranto, Andre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 18.05.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Alcohol related disorders; Alcohol use; Alcoholism; Alcohols; Bisexuality; Black people; Clinical assessment; Discrimination; Ethnicity; Ethnoracialized gay and bisexual men; Harm reduction; Health behavior; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Hispanic Americans; HIV; Homophobia; Homosexuality; Human immunodeficiency virus; Internet; Latin American cultural groups; Life experiences; Measures; Medical personnel; Medical screening; Men; Minority & ethnic groups; Objectification; Population studies; Prevention programs; Preventive medicine; Race; Racial discrimination; Racism; Regression analysis; Risk behavior; Risk reduction; Risk taking; Screening; Sexual behavior; sexual objectification; Sexually transmitted diseases; STD; Substance use disorder; Tests; Well being; sexual objectification; Ethnoracialized gay and bisexual men; racism; alcohol use
• ISSN: 1355-7858; 1465-3419
• DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2018.1439895

Objective: Previous research has shown that experiences of racial discrimination and sexual objectification are associated with health risk behaviours among gay and bisexual men of colour. However, little is known about whether racial discrimination and sexual objectification are associated with alcohol use among this population. This community-based study examined the association between racial discrimination, sexual objectification and alcohol use in a sample of 369 gay and bisexual men of colour (Black/African/Caribbean, Latino/Latin American, South Asian, and East and Southeast Asian) in Toronto. Design: Data were drawn from an online survey designed to examine issues of racism, homophobia, health and well-being among gay and bisexual men of colour in Toronto. Regression analysis assessed the relationship between scores on the Racism and Life Experiences Scale, Sexual Objectification Scale, and the CAGE questionnaire (a screen for alcohol use disorder). Results: Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that experiences of racism and sexual objectification are significantly and positively associated with a screening for alcohol use disorder. The interactions between Latino/Latin American race/ethnicity and experience of sexual objectification were also positively associated with a screening for alcohol use disorder. Conclusions: Health professionals should consider the role of racial discrimination and sexual objectification within the context of risk and treatment for alcohol use disorders, harm reduction, and HIV prevention for gay and bisexual men of colour.