The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63704

Bradley B. Huffey, PhD, HSPP, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Le Fer #34, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876, 812-535-5203, bhuffey@smwc.edu

This presentation will provide a forum for participants to examine and discuss issues faced by gay and bisexual men in the prison setting. Attention will be given to roles that get played out in same-sex sexual relationships in the correctional setting. Slang words such as “pitchers and catchers” (e.g. “pitchers” may be gay, bisexual or straight while “catchers” are assumed to be gay) used to describe same-sex sexual behavior will be analyzed. Participants will also evaluate the various risks and dangers associated with the same-sex sexual roles played out in the correctional setting. The issues of concern will be discussed from the cultural, philosophical, psychological, and physical perspectives. Finally, participants will have opportunity to generate ideas for specific mental health interventions suitable from each of the perspectives (cultural, philosophical, psychological, and physical). Examples of issues to be discussed include Cultural: Hyper-masculinity, invulnerability, homophobia, “just world” phenomenon, victim blaming, and discrimination based on perception of sexual orientation, gang affiliation (security threat groups). Philosophical: Identity issues, pitcher (tough, aggressive, gay, bisexual, straight, valuing of the masculine), out, outed, closeted, dominant/violent, catchers (punks, passive, snitches, not trusted, devaluing of the feminine). Psychological: Stress, fear, attraction, arousal, psychological disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, family or other support, hate, prejudice, coming out issues. Physical: HIV/AIDS, risks for STD’s, Hepatitis, rape, sexual coercion, arousal, prostitution, violence, hate crimes, diet, exercise, attractiveness, and survival. The presenter works with maximum and super-maximum security offenders in rural Indiana, Wabash Valley Correctional Facility.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1. Define various slang terms used to describe same-sex sexual behavior in the prison setting.
• 2. Identify issues of concern for gay and bisexual male offenders in the prison setting from the cultural, philosophical, psychological, and physical perspectives.
• 3. Construct mental health interventions for working with gay and bisexual offenders in the correctional setting from the cultural, philosophical, psychological, and physical perspectives.

Keywords: Gay Men, Correctional Facility

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.