Concerned about male bisexual behavior

Q: Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot about black men and other men of color who sleep with other men but regard themselves as heterosexual and also sleep with women. Matter of fact, the intimation is that this is a primary reason why the HIV/AIDS problem has climbed in our community. How prevalent is this behavior? I am really concerned.

A: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS is the number one cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. An estimated two-thirds of new cases come from people who are unaware that they are infected with HIV. In 2000, HIV/AIDS was among the top three causes of death for African-American men ages-25 to 54 and African-American women ages 35 to 44. Black women account for 72 percent of all the new HIV cases in women; 67 percent of Black women with HIV contracted it from heterosexual sex. African-American women are 23 times more likely to be infected with AIDS than white women. African-American men are almost nine times more likely to be infected with AIDS than white men. Based on these staggering statistics, you have every reason to be concerned. I have several professional male patients who indulge in sexual relationships with both males and females. They do not view themselves as homosexuals but feel they are “lovers of life’s pleasures.” I asked them if they inform women with whom they have sexual intercourse about their sexual relationships with men as well. They said that this information is no more appropriate to reveal than them having sex with other women. They believe their masculinity is not defined by their sexual partners.