Sexuality Disclosure among Black South African MSM and Responses by Family

Abstract

Although South Africa protects sexual orientation in its Constitution, homosexuality is socio-culturally contested and unaccepted. This lack of acceptance may impact men who have sex with men’s (MSM) coming out process. This study explored diverse factors that influenced whether Black South African MSM disclosed their sexual practices and identity to their family, how their family responded, and how family responses affected them. In-depth interviews were conducted with 81 Black MSM from four Tshwane townships about their sexual and gender identities, sexual practices, social networks, and familial relationships. Interview transcripts were analyzed with ATLAS.ti using apriori codes and inductive coding. Most participants disclosed their sexual identity to at least one person in their family or assumed their family knew despite no explicit disclosure about sexual identity; a significant minority had not disclosed. Families of those who disclosed were either supportive, in denial, confused or unsupportive in responses. Whether family was supportive or not, silence around the participants’ same-sex sexualities was prevalent within families. Family responses affected how participants perceived their sexuality and their confidence. Further studies are required to better understand the underlying processes of coming out for Black South African MSM and how these impact health outcomes and social wellbeing.