Orgasmic slavery? : a study of black female sexuality

What is 'orgasmic slavery" This study interrogates the meaning of the term by analysing the racielised sexual exploitation of Black women. I examine the historicsl changes, differences, under - currents end complexities of the social construction of Black sexuality from the inferior position of African female slaves to the conditions of Black women in contemporary Britain. Refuting the premise that Black women are primarily sexual beings, this thesis examines the origins and consequences of this assumption. Through a literature review, the dominant British portrayal of both Black women and Black men in terms of pathological and rampant sexualities is evident. My work assesses how the British and American film industries contribute to such misconceptions. Utilising the research method of participant observation, the perceptions of men and women from different racial backgrounds about images of Black sexuality are addressed. A questionnaire survey queried opinions about the sexual proclivity and relationships of Blacks, whites, 'mixed race' and gays. Building upon this data, a pilot study that was based on images of Black sexuality and their influence upon identity and experiences, provided more information. Central to this debate were semi-structured interviews on the issues of images, identity and relationships as perceived to be related to Black female sexuality

Pan-African Feminism in Britain: Future Directions for Solidarity And Equity

This chapter critically examines the importance of Pan-African feminist epistemology and activism in the Diaspora. The dynamic impact of defiant struggles for freedom challenges the oppression of women of African descent in triumphant ways. The radical re-construction of identities is necessary for the evolution of their human rights. Qualitative methods are used to interrogate the political consciousness of fifty (50) women of African heritage who are members of Black women’s organizations in Britain. My study investigates the relevance of Pan-African feminism in Britain to global debates and interventions. The significance of international support networks that create new strategic initiatives for positive self-concepts and the improvement of life-chances is evaluated. Independently and collectively women of African ancestry oppose marginalization by the State and systems of education, employment, healthcare, and housing. Respondents’ commitment to coalition politics is evident in their positive opinions about social justice, pride, and integrity. Their celebration of Black nationalism resists the legacies of colonialism. Interviewees take responsibility for the upliftment of their communities. They are determined to overcome power inequalities in order to reaffirm the dignity of African women and girls. My fieldwork explores the ways forward for a Pan-African feminist revolution

Contextualising sexual health practices among lesbian and bisexual women in Jamaica: a multi-methods study

Limited research has examined lesbian and bisexual women’s sexual health practices in the Caribbean, where lesbian and bisexual women experience sexual stigma that may reduce sexual healthcare utilisation. We conducted a sequential multi-method research study, including semi-structured individual interviews (n = 20) and a focus group (n = 5) followed by a cross-sectional survey (n = 205) with lesbian and bisexual women in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Binary logistic analyses and ordinal logistic regression were conducted to estimate the odds ratios for social-ecological factors associated with lifetime STI testing, sex work involvement, and the last time of STI testing. Over half of participants reported a lifetime STI test and of these, 6.1% reported an STI diagnosis. One-fifth of the sample reported ever selling sex. Directed content analysis of women’s narratives highlighted that stigma and discrimination from healthcare providers, in combination with low perceived STI risk, limited STI testing access and safer sex practices. Participants described how safer sex self-efficacy increased their safer sex practices. Quantitative results revealed that a longer time since last STI test was positively associated with depression, sexual stigma, and forced sex, and negatively associated with residential location, perceived STI risk, safer sex self-efficacy, and LGBT connectedness. Selling sex was associated with perceived STI risk, relationship status, sexual stigma, food insecurity, and forced sex. Sexual health practices among lesbian and bisexual women in Jamaica are associated with intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural factors, underscoring the urgent need for multi-level interventions to improve sexual health and advance sexual rights among lesbian and bisexual women in Jamaica

Social-ecological factors associated with selling sex among men who have sex with men in Jamaica: results from a cross-sectional tablet-based survey

Background: Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) experience social marginalization and criminalization that increase HIV vulnerability by constraining access to HIV prevention and care. People who sell sex also experience criminalization, rights violations, and violence, which elevate HIV exposure. MSM who sell sex may experience intersectional stigma and intensified social marginalization, yet have largely been overlooked in epidemiological and social HIV research. In Jamaica, where same sex practices and sex work are criminalized, scant research has investigated sex selling among MSM, including associations with HIV vulnerability. Objective: We aimed to examine social ecological factors associated with selling sex among MSM in Jamaica, including exchanging sex for money, shelter, food, transportation, or drugs/alcohol (past 12 months). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a peer-driven sample of MSM in Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate intrapersonal/individual, interpersonal/social, and structural factors associated with selling sex. Results: Among 556 MSM, one-third (n = 182; 32.7%) reported selling sex. In the final multivariable model, correlates of selling sex included: individual/intrapersonal (lower safer sex self-efficacy [AOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.94]), interpersonal/social (concurrent partnerships [AOR: 5.52, 95% CI: 1.56, 19.53], a higher need for social support [AOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.12], lifetime forced sex [AOR: 2.74, 95% 1.65, 4.55]) and structural-level factors (sexual stigma [AOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.15], food insecurity [AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.41, 4.02], housing insecurity [AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.26], no regular healthcare provider [AOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.60, 4.64]). Conclusions: This study highlights social ecological correlates of selling sex among MSM in Jamaica, in particular elevated stigma and economic insecurity. Findings suggest that MSM in Jamaica who sell sex experience intensified social and structural HIV vulnerabilities that should be addressed in multi-level interventions to promote health and human rights

Barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among young men who have sex with men and transgender women in Kingston, Jamaica: A qualitative study

From publisher: Introduction: Young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Jamaica have the highest HIV prevalence in the Caribbean. There is little information about HIV among transgender women in Jamaica, who are also overrepresented in the Caribbean epidemic. HIV-related stigma is a barrier to HIV testing among Jamaica’s general population, yet little is known of MSM and transgender women’s HIV testing experiences in Jamaica. We explored perceived barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among young MSM and transgender women in Kingston, Jamaica. Methods: We implemented a community-based research project in collaboration with HIV and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) agencies in Kingston. We held two focus groups, one with young (aged 18–30 years) transgender women (n = 8) and one with young MSM (n = 10). We conducted 53 in-depth individual semi-structured interviews focused on HIV testing experiences with young MSM (n = 20), transgender women (n = 20), and community-based key informants (n = 13). We conducted thematic analysis to identify, analyze, and report themes. Results: Participant narratives revealed social-ecological barriers and facilitators to HIV testing. Barriers included healthcare provider mistreatment, confidentiality breaches, and HIV-related stigma: these spanned interpersonal, community and structural levels. Healthcare provider discrimination and judgment in HIV testing provision presented barriers to accessing HIV services (e.g. treatment), and resulted in participants hiding their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Confidentiality concerns included: clinic physical arrangements that segregated HIV testing from other health services, fear that healthcare providers would publicly disclose their status, and concerns at LGBT-friendly clinics that peers would discover they were getting tested. HIV-related stigma contributed to fear of testing HIV-positive; this intersected with the stigma of HIV as a “gay” disease. Participants also anticipated healthcare provider mistreatment if they tested HIV positive. Participants identified individual (belief in benefits of knowing one’s HIV status), social (social support) and structural (accessible testing) factors that can increase HIV testing uptake. Conclusions: Findings suggest the need for policy and practice changes to enhance confidentiality and reduce discrimination in Jamaica. Interventions to challenge HIV-related and LGBT stigma in community and healthcare settings can enhance access to the HIV prevention cascade among MSM and transgender youth in Jamaica.We would like to thank the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for funding [grant id: 0000303157; fund: 495419; competition: 201209]

Prevalence and correlates of HIV infection and HIV testing among transgender women in Jamaica

Transgender women are overrepresented in the Caribbean HIV epidemic. The study objective was to examine correlates of HIV infection and HIV testing among transgender women in Jamaica. We implemented a cross-sectional survey with transgender women in Kingston and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with HIV testing and HIV infection. Among 137 transgender women [mean age 24.0; standard deviation (SD) 5.5], three-quarters (n = 103, 75.7%) had received an HIV test. Of these, one-quarter (n = 26, 25.2%) were HIV positive. In multivariable analyses, HIV testing was associated with: perceived HIV risk [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.42, confidence interval (CI) 1.36–4.28], depression (AOR 1.34, CI 1.01–1.77), forced sex (AOR 3.83, CI 1.42–10.35), physical abuse (AOR 4.11, CI 1.44–11.72), perceived transgender stigma (AOR 1.23, 1.06–1.42), having a healthcare provider (AOR 5.89, CI 1.46–23.77), and lower HIV-related stigma (AOR 0.96, CI 0.92–0.99), incarceration (AOR 0.28, CI 0.10–0.78), and drug use (AOR 0.74, CI 0.58–0.95). HIV infection was associated with the following: homelessness (AOR 5.94, CI 1.27–27.74), perceived HIV risk (AOR 1.67, CI 1.02–2.72), depression (AOR 1.39, CI 1.06–1.82), STI history (AOR 56.79, CI 5.12–630.33), perceived (AOR 1.26, CI 1.06–1.51) and enacted (AOR 1.16, CI 1.04–1.29) transgender stigma, forced sex (AOR 4.14, CI 1.49–11.51), physical abuse (AOR 3.75, CI 1.39–10.12), and lower self-rated health (AOR 0.55, CI 0.30–0.98) and social support (AOR 0.79, CI 0.64–0.97). Transgender women in Jamaica experience high HIV infection rates and suboptimal HIV testing. Combination HIV prevention approaches should address transgender women's social and structural vulnerabilities.This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant 0000303157; Fund: 495419, Competition 201209

Factors associated with sex work involvement among transgender women in Jamaica: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Transgender women are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Transgender women involved in sex work may experience exacerbated violence, social exclusion, and HIV vulnerabilities, in comparison with non-sex work-involved transgender women. Scant research has investigated sex work among transgender women in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, where transgender women report pervasive violence. The study objective was to examine factors associated with sex work involvement among transgender women in Jamaica. Methods: In 2015, we implemented a cross-sectional survey using modified peer-driven recruitment with transgender women in Kingston and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in collaboration with a local community-based AIDS service organization. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with paid sex and transactional sex. Exchanging oral, anal or vaginal sex for money only was categorized as paid sex. Exchanging sex for survival needs (food, accommodation, transportation), drugs or alcohol, or for money along with survival needs and/or drugs/alcohol, was categorized as transactional sex. Results: Among 137 transgender women (mean age: 24.0 [SD: 4.5]), two-thirds reported living in the Kingston area. Overall, 25.2% reported being HIV-positive. Approximately half (n = 71; 51.82%) reported any sex work involvement, this included sex in exchange for: money (n = 64; 47.06%); survival needs (n = 27; 19.85%); and drugs/alcohol (n = 6; 4.41%). In multivariable analyses, paid sex and transactional sex were both associated with: intrapersonal (depression), interpersonal (lower social support, forced sex, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, multiple partners/polyamory), and structural (transgender stigma, unemployment) factors. Participants reporting transactional sex also reported increased odds of incarceration perceived to be due to transgender identity, forced sex, homelessness, and lower resilience, in comparison with participants reporting no sex work involvement. Conclusions: Findings reveal high HIV infection rates among transgender women in Jamaica. Sex work-involved participants experience social and structural drivers of HIV, including violence, stigma, and unemployment. Transgender women involved in transactional sex also experience high rates of incarceration, forced sex and homelessness in comparison with non-sex workers. Taken together, these findings suggest that social ecological factors elevate HIV exposure among sex work-involved transgender women in Jamaica. Findings can inform interventions to advance human rights and HIV prevention and care cascades with transgender women in Jamaica

Factors associated with sex work involvement among transgender women in Jamaica: A cross-sectional study

From publisher: Introduction: Transgender women are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Transgender women involved in sex work may experience exacerbated violence, social exclusion, and HIV vulnerabilities, in comparison with non-sex work-involved transgender women. Scant research has investigated sex work among transgender women in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, where transgender women report pervasive violence. The study objective was to examine factors associated with sex work involvement among transgender women in Jamaica. Methods: In 2015, we implemented a cross-sectional survey using modified peer-driven recruitment with transgender women in Kingston and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in collaboration with a local community-based AIDS service organization. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with paid sex and transactional sex. Exchanging oral, anal or vaginal sex for money only was categorized as paid sex. Exchanging sex for survival needs (food, accommodation, transportation), drugs or alcohol, or for money along with survival needs and/or drugs/alcohol, was categorized as transactional sex. Results: Among 137 transgender women (mean age: 24.0 [SD: 4.5]), two-thirds reported living in the Kingston area. Overall, 25.2% reported being HIV-positive. Approximately half (n = 71; 51.82%) reported any sex work involvement, this included sex in exchange for: money (n = 64; 47.06%); survival needs (n = 27; 19.85%); and drugs/alcohol (n = 6; 4.41%). In multivariable analyses, paid sex and transactional sex were both associated with: intrapersonal (depression), interpersonal (lower social support, forced sex, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, multiple partners/polyamory), and structural (transgender stigma, unemployment) factors. Participants reporting transactional sex also reported increased odds of incarceration perceived to be due to transgender identity, forced sex, homelessness, and lower resilience, in comparison with participants reporting no sex work involvement. Conclusions: Findings reveal high HIV infection rates among transgender women in Jamaica. Sex work-involved participants experience social and structural drivers of HIV, including violence, stigma, and unemployment. Transgender women involved in transactional sex also experience high rates of incarceration, forced sex and homelessness in comparison with non-sex workers. Taken together, these findings suggest that social ecological factors elevate HIV exposure among sex work-involved transgender women in Jamaica. Findings can inform interventions to advance human rights and HIV prevention and care cascades with transgender women in Jamaica.This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grant 0000303157; Fund: 495419, Competition 201209