Being "down low" refers to living a secret life as a gay, bisexual, or lesbian individual. Historically, it was associated with those afraid to come out of the closet, but now includes recently released prisoners and married men having secret same-sex relationships. Living on the down low can spread HIV and other diseases due to unprotected sex with multiple partners who are unaware of one's sexuality. Educating youth and promoting open communication about sexuality issues may help reduce the negative impacts of staying closeted.

1. Down Low In The U.S. BY: Shakira Francis

6. Lets take former Governor James McGreevey for example:

7. The governor came out to the whole world by stating that “he is a gay American”! But this story gets a little more complicating. The aide in who came forward about the governor’s secret life also said that he had threesomes with the governors wife as well.

8. Homothug!

9. This book is about a young man who is sent to prison for robbery and once he gets there he joins a Muslim group who absolutely goes against homosexuality. But because the young boy is a virgin he is curious to see how it feels to be penetrated. At first he allows other inmates to perform oral sex on him, then takes it a step further, saying if he does the penetrating and doesn’t get penetrated then he isn't gay.

10. However, once he gets out of jail he still has the yearning to be with a man even after experiencing sex with a female. So, at the end of the book it turns out that he had HIV.

14. Author Terry McMillan, who met her now ex husband in Jamaica and was 20 years his senior is in the middle of a messy divorce after her husband came out to her.

15. Down Low- Down Hill I believe that matter will begin to get worst. I feel that we must keep educating our young children and making them feel comfortable being in their own skin. With these actions comes std’s and hiv, diseases that can be prevented. Open up communication blocks with friends, family members and anyone who you care about and discuss such issues with them and express your supoort.

16. BIBLIOGRAPHY THE WITNESS.ORG AEGIS.COM THEOPRAHWINFREYSHOW.COM ALBANY.EDU