HIV/STD Risks in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Do Not Disclose Their Sexual Orientation, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 52 MMWR 81 (2003)

This report summarizes results of an analysis of data from a survey of young men who have sex with men to compare HIV/STI risk differences between men who disclose that they have sex with men and men who do not disclose. The results, broken down by race, demonstrate a correlation between HIV rates and nondisclosure, supporting the theory that men who do not disclose—for reasons such as fear of homophobia, social isolation, discrimination, abuse, or violence—are at greater risk for HIV. Moreover, those who do not disclose are more likely to have unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse with women and are less likely to have been tested for HIV. These results demonstrate how homophobia can become a public health hazard that directly undermines important public health initiatives, including HIV prevention.