Introduction to Special Issue: Black and Latina/o Sexualities

Black and Latina/o people represent a sizable and growing percentage of the US population, yet there are large gaps in sexuality research with these populations. In this introduction to the special issue of Sexuality Research and Social Policy, the guest editors discuss some considerations for conducting sexuality research on Black and Latina/o populations. The simple inclusion of minority (soon to be majority) populations in sexuality research is not sufficient. There is a need for race consciousness to critically address racial (and cultural) assumptions in the way research is framed and findings are understood. In addition, Black and Latina/o individuals frequently negotiate more than one minority or marginalized status or identity that frames their experiences and negotiations of their sexualities. In this special issue, articles and essays are included that add to our understanding of some of the complexities and nuances related to the sexualities of Black and Latina/o people.