online, digital and anonymous: transformative storytelling led by hiv+ and hiv- ybmsm/tw
TRANSCRIPT
Online, Digital and Anonymous: transformative storytelling led by HIV+ and HIV- YBMSM/TW
#YTHLive
Presenter: Karina Soni
bit.ly/ythhmpphotos
- All NC-based YBMSM/TW between the ages of 18-30 years old
- Enrollment goal: 474- Current total as of 4/9/15: 339 (71.5%)
- 43% HIV Positive, 57% HIV Negative or Don’t Know
- RCT only open to folks who meet enrollment criteria – for now
Site Demographics
The Homepage
The Forum vs. Getting Real
Digital Storytelling
• Forum on HMP is a “safe space”
• Topics discussed: current events within the LGBT community, personal stories, solicitations for advice
• Stories range from non-serious topics to life-changing and traumatic events.
Darker Moments
• Participants empowered to share the darker side of their lives with other users
• Identity development: how experiences shape their lives
• Revealing parts of themselves
Getting Real
- Usage of Getting Real has evolved since the site’s inception
- Has become more of a place where site administrators have been adding more content to spark discussion
- Home of various video series
Voices of Mpowerment
• Video series consisting of YBMSM talking about their experiences with HIV. • Both positive and
negative men featured
Common Themes
Social Isolation
• Online is the only “safe” space to connect with other similar individuals
• Lack of community space
“Safe” Online Space?
- Online sites for MSM usually foster into a sexually-charged atmosphere
- Hard to meet people who don’t discriminate against certain body types/personality traits/ HIV status
- HMP does not allow direct messaging between participants, discouraging sexual messages
Black and Queer Identity
• YBMSM feel “double stigmatized” by both the black community and the LGBTQ community for not fitting into standard molds.
• Preset notions on how black gay men are supposed to act and dress
• Masculine vs. Feminine traits both stigmatized
HIV as an Inevitability
- HIV as a force that’s always present in YBMSM lives
- Seen as an inevitability
- Outing status as a support
Struggle for Love and Acceptance
- Very few media portrayals of positive, healthy relationships of YBMSM/TW
- Many participants struggle with acquiring and maintaining supportive, romantic relationships
- YBMSM/TW seen as “damaged goods”
Best Practices
• Start conversation but don’t drown out participant voices
• Realize what works on the site and what doesn’t – keep track of topics that participants want to talk about.
• Catalyst for conversation – build it and they will come… eventually
Thank you!!• National Institutes of Health Grant 1K24HD059358-01• Lisa Hightow-Weidman, MPH, MD – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill –
Division of Infectious Diseases • Sara LeGrand, PhD – Duke University - Duke Global Health Institute • Kate Muessig, PhD – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Gillings School
of Global Public Health • Emily Pike – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Division of Infectious
Diseases • Helene Kirschke-Schwartz – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Division
of Infectious Diseases
#YTHLive
Thanks!
Questions?