Abstract
This study broadens the narrative on Black male sexuality by focusing on desire, pleasure, and intimate relationships, and critically analyzing gaps in existing literature. It presents findings from a systematic review of qualitative studies on Black male sexuality. The review involved a comprehensive database search yielding 217 articles. After independent screenings using Covidence, 61 articles meeting inclusion criteria—focusing on Black male sexuality and employing qualitative methods—were selected for full review. Only articles published between 2014 and 2023 were included. Themes were independently developed by both authors to identify key gaps. Grounded in intersectionality, critical race theory, and Black racial misandry, this study explores the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality in shaping Black men’s experiences within systemic oppression. Intersectionality reveals how racial and gender discrimination intersect to affect their sexual lives, while critical race theory highlights the structural forces perpetuating stigmatizing discourses. The concept of Black racial misandry examines how stereotypes of Black men as dangerous and hypersexual persist in research and public discourse. The review identified key themes such as the dominance of sexual health and risk prevention discourses, particularly around HIV/STI prevention among Black LGBTQ+ men. Intersectionality and minority stress were also highlighted, along with structural barriers like economic disparities, healthcare access, and systemic racism. Gaps in the literature include limited research on Black men’s sexual pleasure and intimacy beyond health-risk contexts, the scarcity of studies on Black kinky, polyamorous, and trans men, and the pathologization of Black male sexuality through racialized stereotypes.
Presenters
Bill JohnsonStaff Psychologist, Counseling Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois, United States Jocelyn Markowicz
Owner, Private Practice, Jocelyn A Markowicz PhD PC, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Black Male Sexuality Intersectionality Critical Race Theory Racial Stereotypes Sexual Health Disparities
