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Down-low

"Down-low" (DL) is a phrase implying secret information, as in "What's the down-low?" or "Keep it on the down-low", meaning "Do not make it known".

It is also the name of an American black subculture of men who have sex with men, but who do not identify themselves as homosexual.

Among some sectors of African-American male sub-culture (called "men on the DL" or "down-low"), same-sex sexual behavior is sometimes viewed as solely for physical pleasure. Men on the "down-low" may engage in regular (though often covert) sex acts with other men while continuing sexual and romantic relationships with women. These men often shun the more commonly-known "gay" as a term applying to stereotypically flamboyant and effeminate men of European ancestry; a group from which some may wish to distance themselves.

Some sociologists and researchers in queer studies have suggested that this mostly African-American subculture may have come about because of stronger stigmas against same-sex behavior in African-American communities, and, due to more widespread poverty, greater dependence on possibly homophobic family networks for support.

There is concern that the DL culture is not responding to safer sex messages.


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Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45