Describe the experience of African American gay and lesbian persons as a result of culture.

They often experience a conflict between their Black and gay identities. They are less likely to be "out" because the Black community is less accepting of homosexuality than is the White community. Strong fundamentalist Christian beliefs influence some African Americans to be unaccepting of gay men and lesbian women. Homosexuality is also sometimes thought of as having originated from slavery or imprisonment. The internalization of the dominant culture's stereotyping of African Americans as highly sexual beings may also cause African Americans to feel a need to assert and express their sexuality in ways that are considered "normal."