On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of “Straight” Black Men Who Sleep With Men

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book cover of On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of "Straight" Black Men Who Sleep With Men

On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of “Straight” Black Men Who Sleep With Men

AUTHOR: J. L. King and Karen Hunter
PUBLISHER: Broadway Books (Random House)
LANGUAGE: English
DATE: 2004
PAGES: 190
ISBN: 0767913981

Publisher’s Description

Delivering the first frank and thorough investigation of life “on the down low” (the DL), J. L. King exposes a closeted culture of sex between black men who lead “straight” lives. King explores his own past as a DL man, and the path that led him to let go of the lies and bring forth a message that can promote emotional healing and open discussions about relationships, sex, sexuality, and health in the black community.

Providing a long-overdue wake-up call, On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of “Straight” Black Men Who Sleep With Men puts the spotlight on a topic that has until now remained dangerously taboo. Drawn from hundreds of interviews, statistics, and the author’s firsthand knowledge of DL behavior, “On the Down Low “reveals the warning signs African American women need to know. King also discusses the potential health consequences of having unprotected sex, as African American women represent an alarming 64 percent of new HIV infections. Volatile yet vital,” On the Down Low “is sure to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Journey to Self-Acceptance by
1. On the DL
2. “But I’m Not Gay!”
3. Was My Marriage a Lie?
4. She Can’t Compete with Him
5. I Love the Ladies, Too
6. “Oh God!”
7. The Black Church
8. To Serve and Not Protect
9. The Criminal Justice System
10. Talking to Our Youth About Sex Is Key
11. Tops and Bottoms
12. The Signs
13. DL Behavior Types
14. Making Connections on the DL
15. A Need to Protect Ourselves and Others
16. No More Secrets
17. Your Opinion Matters
18. Women Still Want a Relationship
Acknowledgements

Library Notes

Hardback. Purchased used by the library with founder’s funds.