Although I've always lived as an openly gay man I have dealt with men that were on the "DL"...based on that experience I've found that being on the "DL" is not new or exclusive to African American men. I have dealt with Carribean,East Indian,Latino as well as Caucasian
men.
They are men that don't identify as gay or haven't come out of the closet either to themselves or the rest of the world.
"DL" has been described to me by these men as "just sex","cut buddies","male bonding with benefits".
These are men that are either involved in heterosexual relationships,either by marriage or dating,or present a straight single life to everyone but their "secret discrete pal".
It is usually up to the gay partner or more aware partner to think of condom use or alternative safer sex activities if there is going to be anything beyond oral sex.
"DL" is also sometimes used to discribe activities of gay men who aren't openly gay outside of their home and a few select friends.
Also historically discrete same sex encounters could be dicribed as being on the "DL" since society was certainly less tolerant than is seems to be now.
Those are just my opinions and observations.
I can't think of any other sources except perhaps men from some of the organizations that you have lectured at or visited that may share their experiences. These would be men that came out in adulthood...maybe after a divorce or after a death of a surviving parent.

Peace & Respect

I can't for the life of me understand why it is so important to be labeled. I think the assumption that all humans fall into three neat little sexual categories is a fallacious reasoning. My personal belief is that DL is a negative term used to group all men who dont wear their sexuality on their sleeve with a minority that are deceptive people; who lie to people that love them in a selfish attempt at gratification. I also dont believe that people have to be in the open about what they choose to do privately with whomever(man, or woman). That is personal. Society is afraid of what it does not understand. Yes, we live in a highly sexualized culture, but what we see every day in the media is only a minute segment of the varieties of sexualities that exist. I for one thing am not telling a damn thing to anyone but the person I am sleeping with,and the world can call me whatever they want. The only thing I know for sure is that I am me and I love myself even in the midst of my struggles.

In answer to your questions:

1. I define "down low" black men as men who deceive themselves into thinking they are "straight" even though they like fucking and getting blow jobs from other men. They NEVER kiss, and generally speaking, they have a very low opinion of gay men. You are just a "hoe," as far as they're concerned.

2. The book by JL King is the first book I know about to talk about this phenomenon among black men. Would you believe there's a two-year waiting list for this book at my city library?

3. I don't know about any scientific research, but I'd suggest contacting groups of Mental Health Care professionals. Men on the "down low" is not a new subject to many workers in the psychological field. They counsel such men all the time.

4. In terms of who you should interview, while I wouldn't call them "experts," I'd tap Cornel West, Alice Walker, Manning Marable, J. Lynn Harris, bell hooks, jazz singer Andy Bey, the Reverend Peter Gomes and Spike Lee. Too bad June Jordan isn't still alive . . . you should go out of your way to include female perspectives on this issue.

5. Let me get back to you about this. I just met a married black man on the "down low" who is in the process of revealing himself to me. I wouldn't even think of asking him to participate in a project like yours until I get to know him better, and maybe not even then.

And the plot thickens...J.L. King, the New York Post says he's an AIDS activist formerly marketing executive but whatever they say he is, he's white hot in book selling circles. He's set to appear at Hue-man Bookstore in harlem New York on 125th Street this Saturday. Will the real readers and buyers of his book, namely black women be there out in force to hear and see first hand from the author himself? Will the black gay community come out and condone or condemn him or this book. And what about average Mr. Mrs. America, what say they about all this??
Spike Lee's new movie about sex for hire and Lesbians and of course the Democratic Convention, hmmm, looks like another packed and oh yeah, humid steamy weekend...

As I read through all the comments, I have come to one final point of view and that is, sexuality is a very complicated subject matter. Why even bother with the labels at all? I often wonder if we never had religion in the world, would be so sexuality repressed and uptight?

We have been so highly conditioned to catagorize and label things that it is sickning because this is creating a self-imposed box; blinders if you will. I sincerely believe that we must begin to take the shame out of HETEROsexuality before we can truly understand any other forms of sexuality.

In otherwords, how can we MASTER gay, bi and tri love, when MOST of us haven't mastered the foundation, which is heterosexual love?

Infinite love is the only truth, everything else is an illusion.

Books:
- Husbands Who Love Men by Arleen H. Alwood and Dr. Aileen Atwood (1999);
-Boy Wives and Female Husbands: Studies in African Homosexualities edited by Will Roscoe and Steven O. Murray
- Aberrations in Black: Toward a Queer Color Critique by Roderick Ferguson

Article: "Toward Improved Interpretation and Theory Building of African American Male Sexualities," Journal of Sex Research, Nov., 2003 by Linwood Lewis and Robert M. Kertzner

It's a common double-standard when it's OK for a straight man to get turned on seeing two (feminine, not butch) women getting it on. However, for women, seeing two men getting it on is a BIG TURN OFF.

I think one reason behind the DL is the big misinterpretation of "coming out". Many guys, including DL men, think that "to come out" means to tell the whole world you're attracted to the same sex, which is NOT TRUE.

Although I'm a gay black male, only a few of my relatives & friends know about me. To me, "being out" means to be comfortable with your sexuality, NOT necessarily flaunting it for the public to see. Heterosexuals don't have to flaunt their sexuality. I have a straight friend who doesn't like kissing a girl in public. I think perhaps helping closet and DL men understand the actual meaning behind "coming out" may help.

Keith, it's true that all the attention is being shone on the black man. We (black women), have the tendency to blame black men for all our problems; and yes I've been guilty of it also. But as for black women being the fastest growing sect of hiv infected, and I know I'm going to be scorned, called names and whatnot; but we're possibly more to blame. We don't insist that our men wear condoms, cause he "looks ok", or we don't want to hurt his feelings and drive him to some other womans arms. Grow up, have some respect for yourself, love yourself, and take care of yourself. I believe we have black men on the DL because of the black communities narrow, closemindness, and ignorant views on homosexuality, and bisexuality, we can be extremely intolerant. Love is love no matter what or how.

Keith,

The first thing your book needs to do is go into the differing definitions of "DL". Because it is clear that it means different things to different people.

To me, it means NOT wearing your sexuality, or sexual preferences, on your sleeve. It means keeping your sex life where it belongs; namely, the boudoir. Who I'm having sex with is NO ONE's business but mine. As far as I am concerned, that is as personal as what goes on in my bedroom.

I consider myself DL for that reason. I am a bisexual Black man and finally came to that realization about a year ago. Prior to that, I believed I was gay because no one really explains to you that human sexuality is NOT an either/or proposition. You CAN be attracted to, and aroused by, BOTH; even though you are not necessarily acting on your feelings.

But the problem I have, as a bisexual brother, is that people LOVE to tell you that you are gay; especially some brothers who consider themselves gay. However, being Bi is TOTALLY different. Your feelings are different. VERY different.

Because I get tired of people trying to tell me what MY feelings are, I choose to keep them to myself; or, be on the DL.

For the record, I am not out sexing men AND women at the same time; another one of those bi-sexual myths (that bi-people are "freaks" who just have sex all the time). Truthfully, I think I'd rather work on clearing my own head than trying to bring someone else into my dramas. However, I will admit that one of my biggest sexual fantasies is a threesome with a female and another male. Talk about satisfying BOTH sides of me - LOL!

Lately, I've been seeking out other bi brothers who may be going through what I am. I used to look for support from gay brothers but I've found that the vibe is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. They talk about feelings and whatever that are foreign to me. Yet, sometimes it's easier to just nod my head and act like I'm there with them when I am not.

You know what being Bi feels like? It kind of feels like being caught between two worlds, yet being able to navigate in both. I understand being straight AND I understand being gay; in that I am aware of components of both existing within me.

I've heard of some guys talking about "playing straight" to fit in. Yet being with my "straight" friends never feels like an act. I don't feel uncomfortable, nor do I feel like I'm pulling some deception. I'm just being myself. The same as when I am with my "gay" friends.

Personally, I think our people need to learn the differences between the sexualities. Bi is NOT gay. All brothers who are tipping on their women are NOT "Closeted Gays". Some of these guys TRULY like being with women sexually. They are NOT putting on a show for the world. The problem is, they ALSO like being with guys sexually. And whenever a brother is in that situation, he is immediately labeled "gay" and told that he needs to "come out of the closet".

"Come out of the closet"? Please! You want the truth? I don't think I could handle a 100% "gay lifestyle". If I didn't have my "straight lifestyle" to keep me balanced, I don't know what I'd do. But that's just me and I can't speak for all of the guys who in this situation.

However, they may want to consider getting with a Bi female (An idea I have been thinking of lately). She understands how it feels to want BOTH; which means you can be more honest with her about your feelings. Because a "straight" female (Especially a Black one) will NEVER understand that her man can possibly want her AND another man, too.

I think the "DL" is propoganda to continue the knee-jerk effort of demonizing black males. And, as with all Amerikkan propoganda, we help to spread it. I know more white men on the "DL" than black ones, but there has not been a catch-phrase for it until now. We're good at cool catch-phrases.

Hey Keith another good source or person to concider would be Ladawn Black who has gave very POSITIVE advise on DL PARANOIA among black women. You can contact her at www.ladawnblack.com or just go to www.blackmeninamerica.com where she is on duty at the relationship desk.

P.S. Keith could you change the way our messages post because you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find the LATEST posting when the LATEST post should go up TOP.

Thanks just a little constructive criticism.

P.S. Keith could you change the way our messages post because you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find the LATEST posting when the LATEST post should go up TOP.

Thanks just a little constructive criticism.

P.S. Keith could you change the way these comments are posting because you SCROLL all the way to the BOTTOM to find the LASTEST MESSAGE POSTED, when the LASTEST should go to the TOP of the PAGE!

Thanks, just a little constructive criticism.

Hey Keith I almost forgot. Go to J.L. King's message boards and check out some of the things people are saying it's pretty disturbing coming from black women and all these RACIST whites that are posting messages that put all black men in the same catergory. Do all blacks some JUSTICE PLEASE, because I don't think this J.L. King cat really cares about use at all he's in it for the MONEY!!!!!!!

Answers:

1. Yes, most men on the DL don't want to be labled, but some do identify with being same gender loving, they just shun the most DEROGATORY TERMS, like FAGGOT, GAY BOB, SISSY, QUEER, HOMO, FUDGE PACKER, ECT. Although in a lot of yahoo groups many men identify with being gay on the DL, which means they just want to keep it PRIVATE!

Lots of men on the DL just have sex with men. You don't have to have sex with women to be on the down low! Men and women have sex with each other on the DL. The term DL isn't exclusive nor is it LIMITED to homosexual activity or bisexual activity, it simply means KEEP IT A SECRET for whatever REASONS.

Looking at the term DOWN LOW which really means out of the SPOLIGHT or MAINSTREAM, these people DON'T want any ATTENTION drawn to there selves for many different reasons some may be CHEATING on their wife, girlfriend or BOYFRIEND. Yes some men that self identify as down low because of their masculinity could be that way could be only if they stay out of the MAINSTREAM and SPOTLIGHT, remeber DOWN LOW means just that down low HIDING, like a burgalar hiding from a spotlight!

As far as the bars and pictures on the internet you would have to be crazy if you were on the DL to do that or you are ready to come all the way OUT into the SPOTLIGHT for all to SEE!!!

2. I would refer to E. Lynn Harris, J.L. KING (ONLY if you want to CORRECT some of the MISTAKES J.L. has MADE).

3. NONE

4. You're INTELLIGENT enough to handle that KEITH.

I look forward to your book's completion and release. I hope that your book explores society’s role in facilitating "the down-low", "in the closet", or whatever name people choose to attach to this phenomenon. The Black culture, in particular, the Black church, has done a lot to force these "DL" men into perpetrating straight lives, while still seeking sexual fulfillment from other men.

Greetings Keith and all. The best research book to get is the Kinsey report. I read this book some years ago. It explains everything. Although they did not have the reference "DL" in the book, they-Kinsey- reports that most men have same-sex attractions.

The Kinsey report came out with a sex scale, If your are a Kinsey 5 or 6, Then you are in the middle and more than likly have same sex attractions and will act on it. If you are a Kinsey 1-4 your hetro, Kinsey 7-8, Gay.

I hope I have the scale correct. Like I said, it's been awhile since I read the book. In fact, there will be a movie coming out this fall or winter called, whatelse--Kinsey.

I hope this information helps.

29 comments and still growing so there is a market for this D.L. thing...hmmmm

Hey Keith,
I read a fiction novel that was an excellent read regarding a DL brotha and the conflicts he faces. The author was Ken Jackson and the book was Colorful Matters. This brotha was deep with regards to how intricate the DL life is and how it sometimes goes beyond the sex. Check it out for your research, I think you'll be as surprised as I was that someone could tell it so eloquently as this brotha did.

1. It's my opinion that some good portion should speak to the gay black men in the community who allow the J.L. Kings of the world to be the only voice representing the gay black community. Many of us complain about King, but how many of us live our lives openly as proud gay black men.

Acknowledging one's sexuality to himself benefits only the individual. All members of the community have to be able to stand up proudly and say, "Yes, I'm a black gay man and I will live this life openly without being defined by my sexual orientation. I will love openly without trepidation, knowing that I am not privied to any more rights than the common man but demanding equality and respect as does he."

Too many of us talk about the lack of representation in the black community yet we leave our partners home when the office has its Christmas party, or we pause noticeably before mentioning our boyfriend or partner in casual conversation. If WE tread lightly around heterosexuals as if our sexual orientation is something clandestine and abnormal, how can we expect society to respond with more enthusiasm and respect?

2. Further, I believe it is prudent to establish an undeniable distinction between bisexuality and infidelity. I believe the black community, specifically black women, need to understand this issue so that they are equipped to evaluate a brotha's merit based upon his human qualities and not the chance that he may have slept with a man in his past or may still harbor an attraction to the same sex. I think many black women are overlooking good men because of the fear instilled by the down low phenomenon.

b easy, you're exactly right.

Also, some people who portray the "dl" image have many problems with self esteem because of the unpopularity of homosexuality or bisexuality amongst their family members and some members in society. Therefore, they want to fit in like heterosexuals. These people have sexual desires for the same sex, but they prefer their partner or partners to look like the average heterosexual male. Some folks are naturally feminine and are PROUD of who they are and you have others who wish they could look, or betray, the "other." Their are similiarities with enthnicity and gender. You know where im coming from.

Keith, the "down low" or someone who is on the "dl" is a person who is mascaline or looks like the average heterosexual male. A person does not have to be bisexual in order for that individual to portray or look like a non feminine guy. There are plenty of gay guys who fit the discription of the "dl" dude. It's the preference for some folks who are not heterosexual. I'm 24 years old and realize how some people think.

I agree with almost everyone in the room. I think that the DL is an urban interpretation of being in the closet. Additionally I would say that there are men who are actually bisexual or gay who are comfortable with being so but choose to pass as straight or asexual in certain environments much the way light skin blacks passed in the early 20th century... Hope this is helpful, but I'm not sure the myth's and negativity have to be defeated with another book about the DL. I think you are smart enough to think of an alternative route to educating the masses

Keith, do your own thing! I personnally think J.L. King is a IDIOT. He has caused mass HYSTERIA in the black community with little or no edvidence! He hasn't done any scientfic reasearch at all. He probaly couldn't even tell you who co-founded the HIV virus here in the USA. Which we all should know by now was Robert Gallo!! J.L. King has made BLANKET statements about all black men in GENERAL and now people every where are thinking that the MAJORITY of black men are like that, which is the FARTHEST thing from the truth! The MAJORITY of black men are still TRULY HETEROSEXUAL men that don't sleep with men, they may sleep with many women but don't engage in any form of HOMOSEXUAL activity at all.
Every DL Brother doesn't have a girlfriend or wife either some are closet gays! So please Keith do the entire black community some JUSTICE, wether you are gay, bisexual, STRAIGHT, MALE, FEMALE, HIV + or - help us all out my Brother because J.L. King and others like him have CRUSIFIED the black male image and the next GENERATION of black men and women do not need to inherit that bullshit!!! Keep up the good work and I'll be buying mutiple copies of your book and giving them to every one I know that has purchased J.L. King's book!!

for many the down low is fear. because socity says that the way they live or want to live is wrong. they must hide. their love or desire to feel the warmth of a man next to them must be kept in side of their hearts and minds. to speak of it is to admit to the world that they are gay or bi and socity is not yet ready for that so they hide and a love , a great love that could be must be kept hiden for the world. a love that maybe the world could learn from.maybe instead of down low , D.L. means don't love.

for many the down low is fear. because socity says that the way they live or want to live is wrong. they must hide. their love or desire to feel the warmth of a man next to them must be kept in side of their hearts and minds. to speak of it is to admit to the world that they are gay or bi and socity is not yet ready for that so they hide and a love , a great love that could be must be kept hiden for the world. a love that maybe the world could learn from.maybe instead of down low , D.L. means don't love.

for many the down low is fear. because socity says that the way they live or want to live is wrong. they must hide. their love or desire to feel the warmth of a man next to them must be kept in side of their hearts and minds. to speak of it is to admit to the world that they are gay or bi and socity is not yet ready for that so they hide and a love , a great love that could be must be kept hiden for the world. a love that maybe the world could learn from.maybe instead of down low , D.L. means don't love.

for many the down low is fear. because socity says that the way they live or want to live is wrong. they must hide. their love or desire to feel the warmth of a man next to them must be kept in side of their hearts and minds. to speak of it is to admit to the world that they are gay or bi and socity is not yet ready for that so they hide and a love , a great love that could be must be kept hiden for the world. a love that maybe the world could learn from.maybe instead of down low , D.L. means don't love.

for many the down low is fear. because socity says that the way they live or want to live is wrong. they must hide. their love or desire to feel the warmth of a man next to them must be kept in side of their hearts and minds. to speak of it is to admit to the world that they are gay or bi and socity is not yet ready for that so they hide and a love , a great love that could be must be kept hiden for the world. a love that maybe the world could learn from.maybe instead of down low , D.L. means don't love.

Greetings from Jamaica!!

Let me start by saying how glad I am that someone is finally going to add some sanity to this debate.What has really irked me is the idea that what is putting women at risk for HIV is that their men are on the DL, when in fact, the truth is if their men are having unprotected sex with anybody (male or female) it increases their risk. Men having sex with men has been made the scapegoat.....yet again.

Gald you asked: these brothers need to now that if they frequent the clubs, have their photos on MSM websites, if more than a few of us know their story...then they are NOT on the DL!!

'Masculine' or 'unclockable' brothers aren't necessarily on the DL, but might be. The phenomenon itself is really more a matter of being able to 'pass' as straight, not being effeminate or 'obvious'...which as you can imagine would be important to those on the DL. But many men who aren't on the DL have the same preoccupation or concern.

Good luck with the book and American Candidate!!!

Peace and Love....

Hello, Keith.

A question on all of this, is there a book that deals with the ENTIRE black gay experience and not such a small part of it? I would think such a book would be useful as it discusses how a black gay man incorporates his sexuality into his life. The down low is just one part of a bigger story that needs to be told. Lets not forget all of those see-them-in-a-crowd black men who happen to be gay, but will never become famous, and will never be seen on TV, but and made a decision on their life and love that has been ignored in the shock value of the down-low.

Hi Keith,
One article that I would like to bring to your attention, if you already are not aware of, is "A Down Low Shame", by Christina Royster-Hemby, Baltimore City Paper, (June 23,2004). This extensive article contains a wealth of leads to many sources for your research. I am also doing similar research and find it quite helpful. Good luck, keep me posted...holla if you need more
help.
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Mr. J.L. King, I concluded, was motivated to write his book in order to alert our Black Sisters to beware of those seemingly straight brothers whose sexual behavior includes sex (often un-safe sex) with men. While I think that is noble of him, no alarms have been sounded for the "well adjusted" black gay brother. I believe that the reality of "DL" behavior exists because many black gay men have sex with these brothers without holding them accountable. Yes, these are our brothers and we love them, and we should continue to do so. But we need to hold them responsible for their behavior and we must continue to be responsible for our own behavior. Choices have to be made.
==================================================
I would encourage all "well adjusted" black gay men to speak out on this issue whenever, where ever the opportunity presents itself and where you feel comfortable in doing so. Our voice is often not heard because of fear. But we have a contribution to make to the discussion. In fact, they are talking about us. Let's give a more complete picture. Women aren't the only people who need to beware of DL brothers. Good, law abiding "well adjusted" black gay men, all black gay men need to beware of DL brothers.

Vance

************
1. How do you define the down low?…
************

From what I understand of the prevailing perception, society defines “DL” as a man who has sex with both men and women. It also appears that many of these men are NOT bisexual, but rather, simply maintaining heterosexual relationships to hide their homosexuality. Others (such as J.L. King), see homosexual interactions as something uniquely different from heterosexual ones. For some, it’s just sex for sake of sex or “getting off.”

I believe that a man who has sex with both men and women is bisexual. If he is hiding his attraction for men (regardless of his perspective of that attraction), he is “DL.” I do not believe that masculinity (the definition of which can change over time) is a factor.

Going to clubs and posting pictures on the internet are simply methods of making and initiating contact with other gay men. This activity can be significantly hidden (from an intimate female partner, in particular) and I do not believe that it is a significant factor for defining “DL” behavior either.

************
2. What articles, books or literature about the down low are useful to read?..., 3. What scientific research has been conducted about the down low?..., and 4. What experts would you interview to learn more about the down low?...
************

I cannot name them all by institution, publication or author, but I do know that studies have been done with men of color who have sex with men. I participated in a study with Temple University for several years. I would have to believe that studies on sexuality would have to include the topic of homosexuality and that the results may be indicative of “DL” behavior among respondents, even if it isn’t defined as such.

************
5. Who do you know on the down low who would be willing to be interviewed for this book?...
************

Despite having met a few here and there, especially in a world increasingly tolerant of homosexuality, I have always shunned “DL” men. I guess it says something about my intolerant, and admittedly judgmental, attitude towards people who persistently and perpetually live in deceit.

However, I know a man who claims to have given up his “DL” lifestyle. I don’t know how willing he would be to participate in your book… I also know a gay brother who frequently dates married men. He may be an excellent resource for finding “DL” men. I will contact them on your behalf, Keith, and urge them to contact you.

to FRE] I must add, that because of the significant rates of HIV infection among Black women (whether it is a result of “DL” prevalence or not), and the significant prevalence of homophobia in the Black community, the “DL” phenomenon can be uniquely defined (if but only from a reactionary standpoint) for African Americans in ways that do not apply to the human population at large…

I'm bored by the amount of time people are spending on this subject. Since the beginning of time, people have been having sex with other people of the same sex, because it feels GREAT, not because it satisfies their need to be labeled in some pigeon-holing fashion.

DL men do not go to clubs and u can be bisexual and not be on the DL. Many bisexual men are open and out.
I may know a few guys who may allow you to interview them for your book. Also Gay is a culture and a lifestyle. Too often people who are out are very condemming of people who are not. To say someone is confused and in denial because they are not out if very unfair and ignorant. Are homosexual men who act effeminate in denial of their manhood because they are manly? Why is that so many gay men or feminine men are quick to condemn closest men as being in denial. If one is confortable with oneself's he accept all homosexual men regardless of if he is out,on the DL or fem. Also, Keith you may want to address why men feel they have to be closeted and on the DL. Peace

Being on the Down Low is defined as a man who engages in sex with men but has a wife, girlfriend,female,etc.He refuses to believe he gay because gay is a lifestyle he is just kicking it.I have been with a man who considered himself on the DL but he did not deal with any women at all. To say someone is in denial because he chooses to conceal his sexuality is not fair. A person may choose to be DL on in the closet because most black people especially black women are still very nasty about homosexual men.

As an afro-cuban partnered with an african-american some 15 years, I have come to see what self hate does to people in the minority cultures. Cuban males often are on the DL but they just call it a "cover" not "down low". Whether it is a cover or being on the down low it all means that these individuals are into self oppression and denial. To the average heterosexual whenever any male engages in gay sex, they are deemed to be gay, period. But denial seems to be a great "protector" for many a minority male as with majority males. Self hate makes you believe any fairy tale you want to believe until one day you have to grow up and face the cold reality in this country,i.e., you can never stop being who you are whether it is gay or black or cuban or all the above and there will always be people who will remind you of your status. Then again you don't have to buy into their opinion of what your status means.

For once I would like to go somewhere, anywhere where the black male isnt the victim or villian and the white male is the all and all, almighty.

I mean do we really need another book on this already tired subject? Or is it ultimately all about the almighty dollar?

Keith, this could be the moment to REALLY change the way things are why not a book for males of color that would take us higher?

JoJo,

Your number first point is right on target. The DL is a cool way to justify being gay without being -- gay.

Hi Keith this is the brotha you met at "Ski Trip" JoJo.

1. I define being on the "DL" as just another more urban, hip hop influenced way of saying your in the closet.

2. E. Lynn Harris books, "On the Down Low" by J.L. King, and the July 2004 issue of Essence magazine are useful sources.

3.I'm not familiar with any scientific research

4. J.L. King and E. Lynn Harris would be useful to interview

5. No I dont

A few thoughts..A good source might be Dr. Ron Simmons of Us Helping Us in Washington DC. I have heard him speak very effectively on this topic. And this might seem funny, but a whole lot of Catholic priests could fill you in on the down low from personal experiences and from insights they have received in confessionals from guilt stricken worshippers(talk about repressed!).
DL is really only another word for "closeted", but we should get away from labels, they only define and divide us. If you're having sex, unless you are a porn "star", you are "DL" to somebody under some circumstance. Why is it that it is only "DL" when it comes to gay sex and not when it comes to cheating on one's wife with another woman? Was Kobe Bryant on the "DL" when he bent a white girl over a chair in a hotel room?

Isn't DL the short, quick slang name for baggage?

Lynwoodt is right until the word LOVE is back place and genuinely dealt with all of it seems like alot of wasted effort.

I'll buy the book or books but can we finally see the light in a new level in Man. When?

On another note you gotta get this brother's book; hot! It's a recent novel I read entitled Asphalt by Carl Hancock Rux blew me away; it goes there and has new and ideas packed all within it.

Lastly, nothing remarkable here, no splendid courts, no spacious stairways...there is only rubble...traces of the Dorian burning, and the open graves...the menace is all the greater because it is never completely expressed. We are haunted by a presence which never completely reveals itself...

Until we become a new tribe; a new breed of black men who can think, stand, walk, speak, and move about the world respectively as MEN, re-defined and (self) made malleable into what is most condusive and progressive toward being our best selves, then, we are inevitably doomed, regardless of our innate desires; wedding bands; the length and thickness of our dicks, or to whom they actively point towards.

Whether it is the public pride and secret shame of brothers conditioned into self-hatred, but identify as "out," or the cloak-and-dagger swagger of brothers whose sexual psyche and [black] masculinity are more fragile than pixie wings, the universal truth is that most of us are suffering and surviving because of, and in spite of, a lack of LOVE.

Instead of innovating sources and resources of creative healing and problem-solving, too many of us have detoured into a diatribe of which, dare I say it, "lifestyle," is the lesser of two evils: gay pride or the down-low.

Considering the negative implications of DL, is it fair to associate it only with blacks? Should the book address that question?

I'm glad you're back, Keith.

I personally think the "down-low" is a whole crock of shit.

If people would just take time out to "think"--they would see how this sort of Propoganda is beneficial at this particular moment in U.S. history.

Men of all races have rampant bisexuality...and ALWAYS have.

I see more black females on the "down low" than men.

Kola

Wow! Keith.

Can you, or anyone, possibly do this topic justice considering the hype and emotional baggage attached to it? Can anything written about it be anything other than exploitive and sensational?

Is the DL different from being in the closet, or is there a particular 'black' aspect to DL behavior? Are you going to get into self-denial, the transmission of diseases, homophobia and gay bashing? You also should talk about careers which seem to mandate a downlow existence. Also please talk about the whole hysteria black folks seem to be gripped in. (Last week some females at a back yard party I attended asked the host who of his presumably heterosexual male guests could be living the DL. I, of course, said nothing)

Go for it.