DemographicsQuotes Participants, 20 Black gay and bisexual men (18-25 years old) took part in a semi-structured qualitative interview examining their experiences with religion, sexuality, gender expectations, and HIV. Participants were asked who taught them about masculinity when they were growing up, as well as what it means to be a man. Results MSD Age n% Ethnic ID African American1050% Black420% Mixed525% Nigerian American15% Sexual Orientation Gay1470% Queer315% Bisexual210% Pansexual15% Method Background Discussion Participants were asked what they learned about masculinity growing up and from whom they learned it. Participants mentioned both positive and negative traits of masculinity, but most acknowledged that the negative attributes were not ones with which they agreed. They were able to filter out the negative aspects of masculinity and use the positive ones as motivation. Being a man was linked with heterosexuality for many of the participants. Participants learned about masculinity from their families, church, and self-reflection, with only one mentioning peers. No participants mentioned learning what it means to be a man from the media. Negative Traits The restriction of expression of feelings [...] I remember crying not really being an okay thing. There’s a disconnect with feelings […] not teaching me to come from a place of humbleness, or to come from a place of understanding. (Garrett) Not to cry, not to be sensitive. (John, 25, African American, gay) You need to work out, or you can’t walk like that, or you need to make your voice deeper. (Jaime, 22, Black, gay) They say you’re not a man if you’re liking other men. That a man is supposed to be with a woman, have kids. (Joel, 23, Black, gay) Being effeminate was bad. (Jamal, 21, Nigerian, gay) You’re a man and you don’t let a woman do things for you. Show no weakness. (James, 21, Black, gay) The results indicate that this sample was able to distinguish between the positive and negative attributes of masculinity, even though they learned what it means to be a man from different sources. While these participants could effectively navigate the positive and negative gender norms, one possibility is that none of them referred to the media when asked about learning how to be a man. Having positive role models can help in cultivating a healthy sense of identity, even if the messages about masculinity are mixed. Young Black men learn about masculinity from a variety of sources; family, church, peers, and the media. Traditional views on Black masculinity can emphasize the importance of hiding emotions, controlling their female counterparts, and gaining monetary success (Collins, 2005; Wise, 2001; Corneille, Fife, Belgrave, & Sims, 2012). White masculinity is commonly seen as the standard male ideal for the United States, leaving Black males to seek other ways to show their manhood (Roberts- Douglass & Curtis-Boles, 2012). With the media’s portrayal of Black men as thugs, gangsters, or absent fathers, there can be negative internalization of what it means to be a man for emerging adult Black men (Collins, 2005; Crook, Thomas, & Cobia, 2009). Along with power, control, and emotion restriction, heterosexuality is a staple of Black masculinity (Wise, 2001). This can create difficulty for gay and bisexual Black men if they do not identify with the current gendered social constructions. Positive Traits Growing up, taking care of bills, eating right, not getting in arguments with parents, organizing, keeping things organized. Having goals. (Jerry, age 24, mixed-race, gay) How to take responsibility, and how to be accountable. (Nick, 22, African American, gay) You’re a protector, you’re strong, you are in charge, […] you’re honest. (Garrett, 25, Black, queer) How to open a door for a lady, how to take a lady on a date […] and not have bad intentions, you know what I mean. (Earl, 25, African American, no label/bi) As I started to open my eyes, I realized no man is the same. There is no logical definition of what a real man is. (Ronald, 21, African American, gay)