JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH, 51(6), 696–710, 2014 Copyright # The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality ISSN: 0022-4499 print=1559-8519 online DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2013.772086

‘‘Becoming Bold’’: Alcohol Use and Sexual Exploration among Black and Latino Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (YMSM)
Matt G. Mutchler
Department of Sociology and Urban Community Research Center, California State University–Dominguez Hills; and Community-Based Research in Education Unit, AIDS Project Los Angeles

Bryce McDavitt
Department of Sociology and Urban Community Research Center, California State University–Dominguez Hills; Community-Based Research in Education Unit, AIDS Project Los Angeles; and Clinical Psychology Division, Pacifica Graduate Institute

Kristie K. Gordon
Department of Sociology and Urban Community Research Center, California State University–Dominguez Hills; Community-Based Research in Education Unit, AIDS Project Los Angeles; and Department of Criminal Justice, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Alcohol use is correlated with unprotected sex, which may place young men who have sex with men (YMSM) who use alcohol with sex at increased risk for contracting HIV. However, little is known about how this link develops. This study used qualitative interviews to explore how alcohol became associated with sex and sexual risk among YMSM. We purposively sampled 20 Black and 20 Latino YMSM (N ¼ 40), ages 21 to 24, who used substances (alcohol, marijuana, and crystal methamphetamine) with sex. Interviews focused on participants’ personal histories to trace how these associations developed for each individual. Drawing on sexual script, emotion regulation, and alcohol expectancy theories, analyses followed a modified grounded theory approach. Participants stated that alcohol enabled them to engage in sexual behaviors with men that they wanted to try, allowing them to be