Alcohol use and stigmatized sexual practices of HIV seropositive gay and bisexual men.

HIV seropositive (HIV+) gay and bisexual men continue to report unprotected sexual practices. Although numerous research studies have examined the relationship between alcohol use and unsafe sex, few have examined this from a qualitative perspective. In this paper, we examined the impact of alcohol use on stigmatized sexual practices among HIV+ gay and bisexual men with alcohol-use disorders. An ethnically diverse sample (81% men of color) from the New York City metropolitan area was recruited from a variety of settings frequented by gay and bisexual men. Using a qualitative interview, contextual issues regarding sexual activities under the influence of alcohol were examined. Qualitative analysis revealed that alcohol use facilitates engagement in sexual practices that are perceived as stigmatic while sober. Interventions targeting alcohol use and unsafe sex should be sensitive to the role which alcohol plays in the sexual practices among HIV+ gay and bisexual men. Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ltd.