A 2003 cover story in The New York Times Magazine on the down-low phenomenon explains that the American Black community sees 'homosexuality as a white man's perversion.' It then goes on to describe the down-low subculture as follows:
In this context, 'being on the down-low' is more than just men having sex with men in secret, or a variant of closeted homosexuality or bisexuality-it is a sexual identity that is, at least partly, defined by its 'cult of masculinity' and its rejection of what is perceived as White American culture (including what is perceived as White American LGBT culture) and terms. Īccording to a study published in the Journal of Bisexuality, 'he Down Low is a lifestyle predominately practiced by young, urban Black men who have sex with other men and women, yet do not identify as gay or bisexual'.
The term originated within the African-American community, and was originally used to describe 'any kind of slick, secretive behavior, including infidelity in heterosexual relationships'. Further information: African-American LGBT community
