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The present study investigates patterns of methamphetamine, contexts of use and sources for purchasing methamphetamine in a sample of gay, bisexual and heterosexually identified Black men who have sex with men living in New York City. Participants reported using multiple substances and used, on average, nine days within the last 30 days. They spent an average of US$159 per month on methamphetamine and a median of US$398 on all substances. Frequency of monthly methamphetamine use was related to the use of powdered cocaine and alcohol use, but not to the use of other substances. Black men who have sex with men primarily used in private venues, such as at home or in the homes of friends, and reported obtaining methamphetamine from multiple sources. Men who reported exchanging sex for methamphetamine reported greater use in public venues, such as sex clubs, sex parties and circuit parties. Findings from the present study may be critical in establishing culturally-appropriate treatment modalities for Black men who have sex with men who use methamphetamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This descriptive paper characterizes the sexual behaviors of a diverse sample (N = 311) of gay, bisexual, and other nonidentified men who have sex with men (MSM) who regularly attended gyms in New York City. Approximately 50% of the sample indicated sex with primary male partners, while 88% of the men had sexual relations with male casual partners in the 6 months prior to assessment. The participants met their casual partners in a variety of different venues, including the Internet. Differences were noted along key demographic factors with regard to the contexts in which men met their partners. The data indicate that the men use serosorting, strategic positioning, and contexts in which they meet other men, to influence choices concerning sexual partners and practices as a form of health protection. It is proposed that these patterns of sexual behavior are representative of the totality of the lives of gay, bisexual, and other MSM, because despite engaging in gym behaviors, which might be considered health promoting, these men are simultaneously taking risks. Such findings point to varying motivations as to why gay, bisexual, and other MSM actually attend the gym. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on 49 qualitative interviews to explore the contextual antecedents of methamphetamine use in a sample of gay and bisexual Manhattan men. The paper distinguishes itself from the public health literature on crystal methamphetamine use in this population by shifting the analytic focus from individual‐level factors of drug use to the role of social context. While individual‐level factors—including self esteem and social awkwardness—are related to methamphetamine use, we argue that these factors arise in and are exacerbated by interactional pressures attendant to Manhattan's gay sexual subculture, which revolve around the expectation of peak sexual performance. Because methamphetamine is associated with increased self‐esteem, increased libido, greater sexual endurance, diminished sexual inhibition, and a higher threshold for pain, the drug is used strategically by gay and bisexual men to negotiate sexual sociality and increase sexual pleasure. Hence, we suggest that there exists an elective affinity between Manhattan's gay sexual subculture and the particular pharmacological effects of methamphetamine—whereby the former strongly favours the latter as a systematic pattern of response. In turn, this relationship is linked to unsafe sexual practices or the social conditions that put gay men ‘at risk of risk’ of HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]